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3/17/2025
“Helena This Week” is reported and written By JoVonne Wagner. Send your Helena news and tips to [email protected].
New management company had pledged no significant changes, residents say
Residents of a Helena mobile home park face rent and utility fee increases after the park was sold to an out-of-state property management company, according to park residents.
Last October, the owners of the McHugh Mobile Home Park informed residents that they sold the property to Collective Parks Property Management LLC, a Washington State-based management company.
During the ownership transition, residents received letters from the new management team stating that they shouldn’t expect changes.
“For the foreseeable future, we do not anticipate any significant changes that would impact the resident experience,” stated a letter sent to residents and obtained by Montana Free Press. “Our focus is on ensuring continuity and stability and any improvement we will make in the future will be to enhance the living experience.”
However, in a letter shared with MTFP, the property management company informed residents in February that the monthly rent was increasing and that they would now be charged for water, garbage and sewer services that the previous owners covered.
A resident of the mobile home park told MTFP that their $510 monthly lot rent will increase by $65 and that they will be charged $45 for utilities, totaling an annual $1,320 raise.
The increase is due to rising maintenance costs and property taxes, the notice stated.
Another resident told MTFP the $1,320 would cover the costs of planned projects for the park, including an office remodel, dumpster and mailbox replacements, road maintenance and community events.
Park residents wrote a letter to the company, which was provided to MTFP, stating that they would not comply with the rent and utility-free increases and that the proposal for new mailboxes, dumpsters and community events is “blatantly insulting.”
Residents also asked Collective Parks to submit a revised plan for increases.
Collective Parks property manager Jake Bond told MTFP that the company has not yet responded to the letter and that even with the increase, the mobile park has some of the lowest rates in Helena. Bond also said that Collective has received positive feedback from other park residents about the proposed property improvements.
Public Notice
City board vacancies: Helena is seeking applications to fill several city board openings. The positions are:
- One resident to serve on the ADA Compliance Committee
- Two residents to serve on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board
- Two residents to serve on the Airport Authority Board of Adjustment
- One resident to serve on the Board of Adjustment
- Two residents to serve on the Citizens Conservation Board
- Two residents to serve on the Helena Public Art Committee
- One resident to serve on the City-County Consolidated Planning Board
- Two residents to serve on the Tourism Business Improvement District Board of Trustees
- Seven residents to serve on the Urban Renewal Tax Increment Financing Advisory Board
The volunteer positions have varying terms and requirements. The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, April 4, at 4 p.m. For more information about each position, contact city commission deputy clerk Alyx Montiel at [email protected] or visit the city’s application webpage.
Connectivity discussion: The Helena Citizens’ Council will host an open house on Tuesday, March 25, at the Lewis and Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch, with city transportation services director David Knoepke to discuss Helena’s connectivity network. The event will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will cover walking paths, sidewalks, biking lanes and improvements. Visit the Citizens’ Council webpage for additional information.
5 Things to Know in Helena
Parade route update: Helena City Manager Tim Burton confirmed during last Monday’s city commission meeting that changing the route for the annual high school Vigilante Parade is under “very serious consideration.” The parade, which will celebrate its 101st anniversary this May, has historically gone through Last Chance Gulch and the walking mall. After discussions with health and safety officials, Burton said that the size of the trucks used for floats poses a safety risk. The city manager and commission are expected to continue the route discussion over the next several weeks before taking action.
Parking update: In a meeting last week, the Helena Parking Advisory Committee discussed several tentative recommendations to present to the city commission. Among those is a plan to remove the 180 coin-operated meters downtown and replace them with a mix of pay-to-park, discounted permit parking and two-hour free parking spots. The advisory committee is expected to present the recommendations to the city commission during its administration meeting on Wednesday, March 19, at the City-County Building, 316 N. Park Ave, at 4 p.m.
ADA ramp project update: The city commission last week approved a $350,000 contract bid for Helena-based All Around Construction to provide construction services for the city’s ADA ramp program. Ramp improvements will include work at 11 Avenue east of Fee Street and at Henderson Street north of Euclid Avenue.
Library to host award-winning author: The Lewis and Clark Library and Library Foundation will host author C.J. Box on Monday, March 31, at the Helena Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave., to discuss his popular “Joe Pickett” book series. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and general admission tickets are free and can be picked up at the civic center, library or Montana Book Company.
Cradle-to-Career event: Several Helena businesses and organizations will host students from Helena schools on Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19, as a part of a career exploration event aimed at showcasing job opportunities in Helena. The event will feature programs and hands-on learning from the participating organizations, including the Helena Police Department, Dick Anderson Construction, Northwestern Energy and the Lewis and Clark Library.
Helena History
