Letter to Council with concerns about extending open containers to Montana Ave

Mar 24, 2026

Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,

The Board of the North of Montana Association (NOMA) is writing regarding Item 11C-6 on tonight's agenda — the proposed ordinance establishing the Montana Avenue Entertainment Zone.

NOMA supports a vibrant and safe Montana Avenue and also recognizes the economic and community benefits that a well-managed entertainment zone can provide. However, NOMA has significant concerns about the proposed zone's expansion from 6th Street to 17th Street, and we respectfully request that the Council address the following issues before adoption.

A) **Buffer Zone Around Roosevelt Elementary School**
Roosevelt Elementary School sits directly within the proposed zone's footprint. The ordinance as written would authorize open container alcohol consumption seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. — hours that encompass the school day, after school pickup, and weekend family use. Roosevelt's playground and fields represent the only dedicated green space for families in this part of our neighborhood after school hours AND on the weekends. 

NOMA's request: NOMA strongly urges the Council to establish a buffer zone of at least one city block (including after school hours and weekends) around Roosevelt Elementary School prior to adoption of this ordinance.


B) **Public Safety and Police Presence**
The introduction of open container privileges along a twelve-block corridor will undoubtedly increase demand for public safety resources. 

NOMA's request: NOMA asks that the Council clarify what level of additional police presence will be allocated to Montana Avenue, and that this commitment be incorporated into the Management Plan before the ordinance is finalized.


C) **Residential Neighborhood Impacts**
Montana Avenue is bordered by dense residential streets with limited parking. NOMA is concerned that visitors consuming alcohol within the entertainment zone may return to vehicles parked in adjacent neighborhoods while impaired. 

NOMA's request: We ask that the Management Plan include specific, enforceable measures to address this risk — whether through signage, enforcement protocols, or coordination with ride-share services.

These are solvable problems, and the NOMA Board looks forward to working constructively with the City to address them. We hope the Council will consider these concerns before voting to adopt the staff recommendations this evening.

Our Co-Chair, Matt Goldenberg, will be presenting these concerns in person during public comment tonight and we are available to discuss further.

Respectfully submitted,

The Board of Directors
North of Montana Association (NOMA)

NOMA'S Next Meeting: Thursday, April 2nd at 7pm on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81526517066