Really? Duh.

Helena, oh how quaint you are some days. Business Leaders Weigh Sprawl Vs. Development. I mean, those little sillies in Helena need to discuss what is better for the environment and the community - to chew up open spaces and build build build or to renovate already existing vacant buildings/acres inside town.

And I say Duh. I have always said duh to this. How hard is it to add up the difference between walking 4 blocks (or drive) to Safeway vs. drive 6 miles out to Costco for groceries. You don't have to be a Greenspan to push the calculator buttons on this one.

For developer Jeff Rhoads, president of the Argonaut Company that’s planning the densely-developed Artisan Park subdivision northwest of the city, building downtown beats building on the outskirts for environmental as well as community-focused reasons.

“With gas approaching $4 a gallon, sprawling development is not sustainable,” he said. “People in walkable mixed-use areas use 30 percent less fuel.”

Blame it on fuel prices, I don't care, growing "up" is always always always better than growing out. Or maybe I just know this because I spent 7 years watching Bozeman destroy itself from the outside out.

If you will excuse me, I need to go give Al Nicholson a big hug. God bless that man.