Kalispell council opens talks on transferring Central School building to Northwest Montana History Museum

Kalispell councilors opened a work‑session discussion July 28 on a request from the Northwest Montana History Museum to transfer ownership of the Central School building at 124 Second Avenue East to the museum. The museum board told the council the 130‑year‑old structure needs “repairs, improvements, and continuing maintenance,” and argued ownership would allow the nonprofit to pursue grants and loans the board says are difficult to secure while the city holds title. City staff briefed the council on Montana law governing disposal of municipal property, noting that a statute the staff cited allows transfer while also authorizing a deed provision requiring preservation and reversion if the new owner fails to comply. The staff told the council it can draft transfers that include deed restrictions, reversionary clauses or rights of first refusal. The council’s discussion focused on three practical questions: whether the museum could access grants and low‑rate…