New Polson community development director wears many hats
Kristi Niemeyer
Juan Escano, Polson’s new community development director, is confident “the solutions and the key to our prosperity are already here.”
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POLSON — Walking down Main Street, Juan Escano brims with curiosity and enthusiasm for Polson and its potential. The city’s new community development director is guided by a basic premise: “Support what’s here. Lay the groundwork to make it grow.”
That applies to trees (plant more), housing (add more, but do it mindfully), Main Street beautification (make it warm and inviting) and economic development (“we want jobs – lots of them and high quality”).
He also acknowledges that building a healthy, prosperous community takes time. “People become frustrated and give up,” he says.
“But I’m an outsider and I come with fresh eyes and fresh ideas. I see not problems but challenges and opportunities that we are not using to our benefit.”
After an extensive national search, Escano was hired by the city to replace planner Kyle Roberts, who took a job in Oregon last November. In keeping with city code, the job description was expanded to city development director.
“We’ll still be doing some planning and zoning issues, there’s no doubt about that,” explains city manager Ed Meece. “But we’re also going to free up some time for Juan to work on other types of projects.”
The city received 29 applicants for the job and narrowed the field to three finalists, who each came to town for in-person interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, including city staff, community members and business owners.
According to Meece, the final three candidates “were excellent individuals who all brought really great things to the table.”
“The thing that stood out about Juan was I really felt like he was the candidate who had a background that was going to challenge us to not just sit and wait but to go out and pursue some of these important projects for the community.”
Escano has an expansive resume. His family is originally from the Dominican Republic, and blends Indigenous, African and Spanish ethnicities, “which allows me to navigate in different worlds with a greater sensitivity and awareness,” he says. A fluent Spanish speaker, he grew up in New York City, moved to Miami, and comes from a family that values public service.
He earned both a bachelor and master’s degree in public administration from Florida International University and completed a second master’s in planning and growth from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.
His education and experience help him wear two hats. As a planner, his task is clear-cut and quantifiable. “Plan, plan and plan, then consult before actions are taken or recommendations are given.”
Community development, on the other hand, is more nuanced. “You have to be very sensitive toward the fabric of maintaining what makes a community a community. When I walk down the street, one minute I’m wearing one hat, and then I’m wearing the other hat. Sometimes, I try to wear both.”
That’s apparent as we stroll down Main Street. One minute he’s gesturing to an empty lot and ruminating about new businesses or suggesting that single-story buildings could be topped with apartments to create new housing; the next, he’s eyeing an empty tree well that needs to be replanted.
As a consultant, Escano has facilitated infrastructure and information technology projects in the public and private sector, managing budgets, timelines and workflows. His clients have ranged from large corporations to city governments in Denver, San Francisco and Miami, to utility companies, water districts, airports and transportation hubs.
After years of international travel and urban living, the opportunity to apply his skills in a more rural environment was appealing. He maintains that the issues communities face – regardless of size – are basically the same.
“I could have picked an easier city with a bigger budget, more staff. But the learning is here. The issues are here,” he says. “And I believe I can contribute – that I can add something positive to the canvas that is Polson.”
At the top of his list is addressing the lack of affordable housing – an issue that he experienced first hand when moving here. Even equipped with a job and resources, “I ran the gauntlet” before finally securing a place to live that’s a block from City Hall.
“It’s brutal – especially on lower-income groups,” Escano says. “It’s demoralizing to feel that level of despair – to have to have multiple jobs just to live here.”
The lack of housing not only makes it challenging to attract and keep a stable workforce, “it also creates a situation where children leave the community because they have no choice. They can’t afford to live here.”
However, he adds, “Housing is not a one solution fits all,” and building cheap, sub-standard housing isn’t a viable solution.
Immediate, mid-range and long-term projects need to be in the pipeline and planning is an essential aspect of that process. “In 5 or 10 years what will our population look like, what are our needs going to be, what’s our land usage and density going to look like? Planning avoids the whole thing of having to react. If you react you’re just putting a Band-Aid on a situation that’s out of control.”
Tackling housing will also help attract new businesses to town, drawn to the natural beauty of Flathead Lake and the Mission Valley. He’s particularly interested in luring tech, innovation and manufacturing – low-impact industries that offer higher wages – and working with the community to develop workforce training that supports them.
Good roads and high-speed internet access are also important conduits to growth. In today’s world, “Fiber optics are an indispensable tool without which you can’t compete.”
Escano also views Main Street vitality as a beacon for both residents and visitors. “First, it’s the heart of Polson, and if we don’t have a heart we’re dead. That means in practical terms planting more trees, removing blight, and reminding the community that we’re all in it together.”
“The solutions and the key to our prosperity are already here,” he adds. “We have everything we need to succeed.”
While his goals are ambitious, he seems realistic too. “I am not here to provide a quick fix,” he says. “This is real work that has to occur, that has to be agreed upon by many parties and jointly tackled.”
To that end, Escano looks forward to forging better relationships with tribal government. “There are things that fall into multi-jurisdictions. We need to train together, work together and fund together to have our communities excel,” he says. “Efforts are underway to reach out to the Tribes and express our desire to collaborate with them, learn from them and hear their thoughts.”
His views dovetail with Meece’s. The city manager – who is relatively new as well – believes Escano’s background and proactive approach will help move Polson forward.
“I think we need to be challenged, as an organization and as a community,” he says. “Let’s really start to make an impact and not just wait for someone else to show up and make an impact. Juan really brings that skill set to the table.”
In his spare time, Escano enjoys jet skiing, mountain biking, alpine sports, research, and travel, and looks forward to exploring “the charm and beauty” of his new home.
“I have an open-door policy,” he says. “If there’s a concern, an issue, a question, don’t hesitate to come visit me. I’m excited and happy to be here.”
