MASTER PLANNING

Welcome!

Destination Fort Benton is excited to present the Fort Benton Tourism Master Plan, a community-driven effort to guide how tourism improvements, investments, and visitor experiences are shaped through infrastructure improvements in the years ahead. This plan will help Fort Benton continue to welcome visitors while honoring our history, supporting local businesses, and protecting the qualities that make our community special.

Now Open: Community Feedback on Fort Benton Tourism Master Plan

The draft Fort Benton Tourism Master Plan is now live—and we want to hear from you!

This community-driven plan focuses on enhancing Fort Benton’s visitor experience while supporting the people who live and work here. It includes ideas for riverfront spaces, parks, trails, streets, signage, and gathering places that help strengthen our identity and local economy.

Public Comment Period: April 1–15, 2026

How to Participate:

Review the draft plan online
Share your feedback and ideas. Submit feedback to fortbentontourism@gmail.com.
Help shape the final plan

What Is the Tourism Master Plan?

The Tourism Master Plan will serve as a clear, practical roadmap for enhancing Fort Benton as a destination. It will identify priority projects, guide future investment, and help the community align around a shared vision for tourism projects that benefit both residents and visitors.

The plan will focus on:

Strengthening the visitor experience
Enhancing downtown, parks, and riverfront spaces
Improving wayfinding and visitor navigation
Respecting Fort Benton’s historic character and small-town feel
Supporting local businesses and economic vitality

The plan is being developed by Destination Fort Benton, in partnership with Sanbell, a Montana-based planning and design firm, and Sanbell’s partner, High Plains Architects.

Project Timeline (High-Level)

Fall 2025: Project kickoff, research, and early outreach
Winter 2025–2026: Draft plan & community engagement
Spring 2026: Final draft of master plan
May 2026: Final plan presented for City Council adoption

Frequently Asked Questions

What recommendations will this plan make?
The plan will recommend priority tourism projects, a phased implementation approach, and long-term goals. It does not approve construction or spending on its own. It is a guiding document.

How is this project funded?
The Tourism Master Plan is funded through the Pilot Community Tourism Grant. One goal of the plan is to help Fort Benton pursue future funding opportunities.

Will there be chances to give input?
Yes. Community input is a core part of the process. Public meetings will be announced on this page.

When will projects be built?
The plan will outline short-term and long-term projects recommendations. Implementation will depend on funding, partnerships, and future decisions by the City and Destination Fort Benton.

Meet Your Project Team

This project is a collaborative effort between Destination Fort Benton, the State of Montana, and the project consultant team. Each member brings local knowledge, technical expertise, and a commitment to community-centered planning.

Joellyn Clark
Destination Fort Benton
Email: fortbentontourism@gmail.com

Katie Richter
Construction Project Manager
State of Montana – Department of Administration
Email: kat1490@gmail.com

Kendra Piedalue, PLA
Placemaking Studio Manager
Sanbell
Email: kpiedalue@sanbell.com

John Halverson, LEED AP BD+C
Planner
Sanbell
Email: jhalverson@sanbell.com

Diane Tolhurst
Community Engagement Lead
Sanbell
Email: dtolhurst@sanbell.com

Stay Connected

This page will be updated throughout the project with engagement opportunities, project updates, and draft materials. Please check back often and share your ideas as we work together to shape the future of tourism in Fort Benton.

Questions? Please contact Joellyn Clark (fortbentontourism@gmail.com ) from Destination Fort Benton for more information.