Subcommittee F hears testimony on two dozen historic‑preservation projects, highlights include Boulder Hot Springs and Hill County courthouse upgrades

The Subcommittee F hearing on Montana Historic Preservation Grant (MHPG) applications heard testimony from roughly 20 applicants representing projects across the state, from urban restoration work in Butte and Missoula to rural school and courthouse repairs.

Committee members and applicants focused questions on project scope, matching funds, timelines and public access. Witnesses described structural failures, contamination remediation, and the intended public uses that preservation grants would protect or restore.

Why it matters: the grants the committee reviews fund preservation work on buildings that applicants say are anchors for local tourism, civic life and community services. Several requestors emphasized that restoring buildings would support local small businesses, expand event or museum use, or allow health- and human‑service providers to operate in historically significant structures.

Most prominent testimony

- Boulder Hot Springs (Boulder): Annika Helmke, testifying for the Peace Valley Partnership (owners), said the 1910 bathhouse on the National Register is experiencing foundation and wood rot, leaks and accessibility barriers. Helmke said the owners have reinvested profits into the property, have collected more than half the required match, and plan to remain open during replacement work though one men’s pool area may close for roughly six months.

- Hill County Courthouse (Havre): Jake Strissel, chair of the Hill County Commission, asked the committee for MHPG support for elevator and HVAC replacement in a 15‑year courthouse renovation plan. Strissel described a $2,250,000 project with $1,750,000 expected from Hill County capital improvements and MHPG funds used for administration, engineering and equipment; he said the county expects energy and maintenance savings after replacement.

- Historic Hotel Libby (Libby): Gail Berger of Friends of Historic Hotel Libby, a 501(c)(3), described completed roof work paid with a prior MHPG award and a follow‑on proposal for windows, exterior paint and interior rehabilitation aimed at a public opening when major work is finished (Berger cited a target of 2031). She said the project has limited local cash match and relies heavily on fundraising, out‑of‑state donors and grants.

- Sandstone School preservation (Absorkey): Sherry DeSaviar explained the sandstone school’s roof geometry causes water pooling and structural risk; she said High Plains Construction provided a phase‑1 roof bid and that the school board has set an April 15 deadline to begin work or the district will seek demolition. DeSaviar described local fundraising progress and broad community uses envisioned (day care, adult education).

- Fortine Ranch House (Trigo area): Brian Gorman described a largely original 1912 ranch house used as a tourism draw and event venue; he said the project will prioritize roof, siding and foundation stabilization to maintain public tours and heritage events.

- Butte Steam Plant (Butte): Jason Christensen described converting the 1920s steam plant into an event center and interpretive site tied to Butte’s meat‑packing history. He reported DEQ Brownfields work, a pending Brownfields loan application and private investment to stabilize exterior features and construct public access improvements.

Other applicants and summaries (brief)

- Matheson Design / Recording Center (Missoula): owner Scott Matheson requested funds to replace a leaking roof, repair historic windows and improve archival storage for recorded material. - Miles City Convent Keepers (Miles City): Sharon Moore said four damaged front columns need structural repairs; the facility hosts thrift operations, meeting rooms and community groups. - Phoenix building (Butte): Todd Hunkler (National Affordable Housing Network) described facade and window work that would support upper‑story affordable housing and arts/community uses. - Mountain States Telephone Building (Miles City): Jenna and Brandon Janssen described a private‑sector adaptive reuse to return the 1914 building to commercial office space with TIF and Main Street matching funds. - Granite County Museum / Courtney Hotel (Phillipsburg): Penny Murray outlined a mixed renovation adding museum improvements, community space upgrades and 14–19 workforce housing units on upper floors. - Kalispell Community Thrift / Scandinavian Methodist Church (Kalispell): Sarah Harding requested envelope and interior repairs, insulation, electrical upgrades and ADA access to preserve a long‑running thrift use. - Yucca Theatre (Hysham): Dana Cunningham and Judy Knapp outlined exterior stucco sealing and interior auditorium repairs to reopen balcony seating and support community theater and events. - Jefferson County Cottage 5 / Old State School (Boulder): Commissioner Corey Kirsch and Pam Hanna (public health) described plans to reuse the cottage for health department and medical/behavioral health tenant space; DEQ Brownfields and asbestos/lead mitigation are part of the scope. - Saint Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral (Helena): Laura Brown requested an elevator to improve accessibility; she cited a capital campaign and the building’s regular use by civic and nonprofit groups. - Anaconda‑Deer Lodge County courthouse (Anaconda): Bill Everett requested funds for first‑floor tile and moisture repairs; he amended an earlier ask downward based on additional local funds. - Livingston Elks Lodge (Livingston): Steve Erickson described aging systems, closed third‑floor space and a need for a phased capital campaign to rehabilitate windows, wiring and create rentable space for sustained maintenance revenue. - Miles City Convent and other smaller museum and local preservation projects were also heard (Saint Patrick’s Mission at the World Museum of Mining, Forton Ranch House, Hotel and depot applications). Several applicants reported updates to budgets and newly secured local or private funds since their original application.

Committee questions and patterns

Committee members repeatedly pressed applicants on matching funds, whether local cash is committed or still pending, contingency and escalation in project budgets, timelines, and whether projects would remain open to the public during work. Members also asked for confirmation of tax levy or county general‑fund capacity when counties requested large local matches.

Schedule and next steps

The chair announced a schedule change: to prioritize in‑person witnesses on the remaining list and reschedule many Zoom witnesses for the following days; the committee also planned to move House Bill 11 to Monday and continue grant hearings over the remaining days. Staff were asked to re‑post the agenda items accordingly.

Ending note: the MHPG applications heard covered a range of preservation scales from small log church stabilization to multi‑million‑dollar adaptive‑reuse projects. Subcommittee discussion focused on public access, matching commitments and the condition risks that grant funding is intended to mitigate.