The Yellowstone Airport Plaza Development

An out of state developer is capitalizing on a rare opportunity to develop 50 acres of land west of the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. Located in what was once known as the Figgins Mining Pit, the Yellowstone Airport Plaza will be a mixed-use complex with hotels, restaurants, retail businesses, a movie theatre, and bowling alley.

The developer behind the project is Connecticut based developer Charter Realty & Development who is working with local companies Bechtle Architects and Morrison Maierle Engineers. Construction is underway for the first phase of the project, and several spaces are already leased to tenants including Belgrade Liquor, a brewery, steakhouse, gas station, and hotel. There are 3 retail spaces available for lease, as well as leased space for 3 restaurants and a 4-story hotel.

The Yellowstone Airport Plaza Development project comes on the heels of a record-breaking decade for the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. Now the busiest airport in the state, the airport itself has several development projects underway including a terminal expansion and a nearly completed parking garage that is the largest parking structure in Montana.  

The growth of the Bozeman Yellowstone International airport continues to impact the surrounding area. In 2015 a major effort between Gallatin County, the city of Belgrade, and the airport, resulted in the I-90 Interchange Project which built two underpasses, roundabouts, and sidewalks to better serve the influx of traffic the airport has seen in recent years. But, the Yellowstone Airport Plaza Development will be the largest development the area has seen.

This development will have a significant impact on the city of Belgrade. In most cases, travelers coming through the airport head directly to Bozeman, but with this new development, travelers will be more likely to stay in the Belgrade area, bringing tourism dollars and business to local Belgrade businesses. This development will also likely provide hundreds of jobs for Belgrade residents, especially those in the service industry who are no longer interested in commuting to Bozeman or Big Sky for work.

Plans courtesy of Charter Realty & Development.'