The City of Kalispell on Oct. 20 approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute documents transferring ownership of the historic Central School to the Northwest Montana History Museum, with eight conditions attached.

Council members said the transfer formalizes a relationship that has existed under lease since 1997 and aims to preserve the building’s historic use as a museum. City staff and several residents described the resolution and attached conditions before the council voted unanimously.

City planning/staff member Mister Nygren told the council the museum has held a lease on the Central School property since 1997 and that the proposed sale includes eight conditions. Nygren said the conditions would be implemented through surveying, deed restrictions and other documentation and that the transfer “will probably take a number of months” to complete. He said condition 6 would require council approval for any loans taken out on the property.

During public comment, longtime preservation advocates and museum supporters urged approval. Carlene Ossorio Cor, who identified herself as manager of LaLark LLC and former chair of the Save the Central School Committee, told the council the community saved the structure and intended it to remain a museum celebrating the Flathead Valley’s history. "The intent remains, which is that this structure needs to be continued to exist and be rehabilitated and renovated and kept up to par and that it exists as a museum," Ossorio Cor said.

Margaret Davis, director of the Northwest Montana History Museum, urged the council to preserve an easement that secures Americans with Disabilities Act access — specifically the ramp and elevator on the north side of the building — and to retain access to a 12–15 space parking area on the southwest corner of the property. Davis said an archival, temperature-controlled storage building might be sited along the alleyway in the future if the museum is granted ownership.

Council discussion touched on preserving the building’s historic features. Councilor Hunter proposed an amendment to require council approval for any future expansion of the building footprint or renovation that may impact historic features; that amendment failed for lack of a second. Councilor Dowd read several of the conditions into the record, including that public parking spaces on the property would remain under city ownership and that the property would revert to the city if used for purposes other than a historic museum.

Mister Nunley moved approval of Resolution 6296; Councilor Carlson seconded. The council voted by roll call: Councilor Dowd, Councilor Dahlmann, Councilor Fisher, Councilor Hunter, Councilor Nunnally, Councilor Carlson and Mayor Johnson all voted aye. The motion carried.

The resolution authorizes the city manager to execute transfer documents subject to the eight conditions listed in the resolution; staff said the closing and implementation steps — surveying, deed restrictions and easements — may take several months to complete.

Supporters at the meeting framed the transfer as a way to secure long-term stewardship of the building and to keep the museum in community hands. Staff confirmed the city would retain ownership of on-site public parking and that ADA access easements would be addressed during final documentation.