Missoula should select design standards

Everyone has their own idea of what makes a building beautiful – or ugly.

However, as a community, Missoula is overdue in agreeing to a set of design standards for smaller commercial buildings. Lacking such standards, Missoulians have been caught off guard – repeatedly, and far too late – by new business construction that elicits groans instead of warm welcomes.

The new Cellular Plus outlet store under construction on the highly visible corner of East Broadway and Madison is only the latest of these. The site used to be the home of the beloved Broadway Market and well-known Cipolato family, but the 95-year-old structure was demolished to make way for a new structure that appears to closely resemble other Verizon Wireless outlets. Presumably, it will also feature the company’s stark black, white and red color scheme.

Full Missoulian Editorial: http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/editorial/missoulian-editorial-city-should-select-design-standards/article_76936f56-f0ea-583e-bcf7-d1ded777027e.html