Announcing a new short documentary about Northside organizing history
Front Step Community Land Trust in partnership with Stories for Action announces a new, original short documentary film about the history of Northside neighborhood organizing that led to the rehabilitation of the White Pine Sash mill site into residential housing.
The new film “From the Ground Up: Restoring a Neighborhood, Reclaiming Its Future” is an inspiring look at the community members who came together to push for residential cleanup of the White Pine Sash site, ultimately paving the way for the permanently affordable community land trust homes being built there today.
It features interviews with longtime Northside residents and elected officials, including former city councilors Heidi West and Bryan von Lossberg, as well as the late Bob Oaks, founding executive director of Front Step CLT. The film is directed by Lara Tomov and edited by Ken Grinde, both residents of Missoula.
Brittany Palmer, executive director at Front Step, says:
“Bob and his neighbors had a vision for what the Northside could be when others saw it as ‘the wrong side of the tracks.’ Instead, these community members advocated for the Northside to strengthen as a connected community where regular people could afford to live, work, and play.
Their organizing work directly led to residential cleanup of the site, which paved the way for the permanently affordable community land trust development being built there today by Ravara and in partnership with the City.
We knew this unique neighborhood story needed to be preserved and shared to commemorate what’s been achieved and to inspire us to continue to strive for more.”
The film premieres Thursday, July 23, presented at Headwaters Confluence Center, 119 W. Main St. Doors at 5:30 PM, screening at approximately 6 PM, with short panel discussion to follow.
To reserve a free ticket, register here.
Additional screenings will be held Sunday, July 26 at 1:00 and 4:30 PM at Leaf and Quiet Underground as part of the “Free the Northside” Block Party on N. 1st Ave near the Pedestrian Bridge. No reservations required for the Sunday events.
The July 26 block party is a celebration of the past, present, and future of Missoula’s historic working class neighborhood. Events include music, storytelling, free food, community organizing, kids' activities, and more.
Film produced by Stories For Action and Front Step CLT and made possible with support from the Greater Montana Foundation and Missoula Redevelopment Agency.
Interviews with the filmmaker available upon request.
Photo: Michael Crowe
About Stories For Action
Stories for Action is a Montana production company that produces short films and a podcast series, and hosts story workshops. Founded by Lara Tomov, the entity focuses on topics at the intersection of community and environmental well-being, and elevates stories of locally led approaches.
About Front Step Community Land Trust
Front Step Community Land Trust was born out of neighborhood organizing on the Northside of Missoula in the 1990s. Seeking to improve the working class neighborhood and struggling to get those needs met by institutions, Front Step founder Bob Oaks began building community power among Northsiders to organize and accomplish key projects to improve the health and wellbeing of neighbors.
Since our founding in 1996, Front Step (formerly North Missoula CDC) has led a series of transformative, community-driven projects that have become cornerstones of Missoula’s working-class neighborhoods. We engaged hundreds of neighbors in Neighborhood Planning efforts that guided development and infrastructure for two decades including the creation of the Northside Railroad Pedestrian Overpass which reconnected neighborhoods long divided by rail lines.
Front Step is also Montana’s first community land trust, and has grown to over 80 permanently affordable homes, ensuring working families can stay rooted in this community.
Missoula has changed since our beginning, but our work remains the same: building community power, thriving neighborhoods, and affordable homes. At Front Step, we open doors to one another—honoring the Missoulians who have built their lives here and making room for those still on their way.
Visit FrontStepCLT.org to learn more.