We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Blaine County residents packed the Blaine County Library’s meeting room at 7:00 p.m. on July 22. The meeting’s purpose was to host a public hearing by the Blaine County Commissioners (Commission) as the Blaine County Historical Foundation (BCHF) presented their proposal to acquire the Blaine/Wells Fargo Bank Building and then to donate it to the Blaine County Museum for use as its new facility.
Wednesday’s meeting proved to be informative but fraught with dilemmas. BCHF’s President Bonnie Ortner shared a sixteen–slide presentation to enlighten those gathered. Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, Ortner said: “Our first goal is to find a suitable location for the Blaine County Museum, which is currently housed in a building not intended to have been a permanent museum location.”
Before deciding upon pursuing the purchase of the Blaine Bank/Wells Fargo Building on Indiana Street in Chinook, the BCHF considered two other options:
a new build outside of town and the Chinook Motor Inn. The first site was discarded after determining that pollution from trains, the grain elevator, and nearby fields, including insects, would pose challenges. Furthermore, the county- owned land near the fairgrounds for that option sits in the flood plain and would not invite people into town.
Having worked at the Blaine County Wildlife Museum, Ortner cited her experience. “The argument has been made that people coming for the museums do not bring business into town, but that has absolutely not been my experience. Museum visitors often ask for shopping ideas or inquire about restaurant options. Placing a museum on the highway actually encourages people NOT to stop in town. If they don’t come in, there is no hope of increased business.”
Regarding the Motor Inn, to repurpose it as a museum would mean that Chinook would lose a hotel and one of its few restaurants.
Upon their decision to pursue the purchase of the former bank, the BCHF engaged the services of A&E + SMA Design in Missoula (A&E) to conduct an evaluation to determine this building’s potential as a new site for the Blaine County Museum. BCHF selected that firm because of its reputation with Historical Restoration and Renovation. The A&E team has been responsible for many highly regarded projects including the Montana State Capitol, Missoula County Courthouse, Haynes Administrative Building in Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, and Old Faithful Inn.
A&E’s feasibility study determined that the bank building is in good condition with no evidence of water intrusion or petroleum contamination, two of the main concerns at the museum’s current location.
About those concerns, former Museum Director Jude Sheppard testified: “We have to move on this; the time to act is now. This is not an ordinary situation but one bordering on an emergency. The south wall of the basement leaks annually during periods of significant moisture, not only creating a mold issue but compromising our artifact collection.”
However, without an addition, the former bank building, at approximately 8169 square feet (sf), does not provide adequate space, given that the current museum offers approximately 9,800 sf on lower and main floor levels. The A&E study determined that a two story addition could be built behind the existing structure, adding 9,200 sf over two levels, and bringing the combined total gross sf to 17,369.
After originally estimating the Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for that addition, A&E Associate Paul Filicetti apologized for the confusion with the numbers. Ortner shared a revised ROM that amended those initial calculations, suggesting the museum addition would cost between $6,122,000 and $8,676,000.
One of main attractions of the former bank building is its historical and cultural relevance as well as its eligibility for listing on the Historical Registry. “Given the building’s age, its Brutalist architectural style, and its association with the architectural firm of Davidson & Kuhr Architects of Great Falls and design architect William Kuhr’s family connection to a ranch in the Bears Paw Mountains and Chinook, the property is eligible for listing under National Register Criteria B and/or C,” Ortner reported.
She added: “The reuse of the bank preserves the historic resource and returns an otherwise unused asset within the commercial center of Chinook back to an active vibrant asset that supports adjacent businesses and new business opportunities.”
Should the County Commissioners agree to accept this gift, BCHF’s plan going forward is to purchase the building, pay for necessary studies and planning, renovate the building, pay all utilities during renovation, and gift the renovated site, including an addition, to the citizens of Blaine County.
“We are considering building the addition first so as to provide appropriate space for Museum exhibit materials already in storage,” Ortner added. “There is no cost to Blaine County to acquire or renovate the building, nor to build the proposed addition.”
Following her presentation, the Commission expressed concerns about ongoing costs, a projected timeline, and too many unanswered questions. Commissioner Dolores Plumage confirmed the generosity of the gift and thanked the Foundation for its proposal but wondered whether the debt could somehow come back on the county if grant dollars didn’t come through as planned. “My bottom line is business and providing for future operation,” she said. “In this current economy, there are no guarantees.”
BCHF Secretary/Treasurer Peggy Perry responded, “This is a long-term partnership. We’re not going anywhere and will continue to serve the museum.”
“We believe we can make it happen,” Ortner added.
Many of those in attendance at the meeting, including Daniel Dahl who was representing the Chinook Area Chamber of Commerce, “fully support” the BCHF’s proposal, while others posed concerns.
For instance, Heather DePriest, Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation President suggested that raising money in the amount needed for renovations is an arduous task. “It took us six years to raise three million dollars, and $750,000 of that came from a bond issue,” she said.
One Blaine County Museum Board Member, Greg Jergeson added: “I respect all the work that Heather did with the pool and park project. Being the target of criticism is not a position anyone likes to be in, and I’m being perceived as the bad guy here because I’m asking questions that throw up road blocks. I care as much about this town and this county as anyone, but the questions need to be worked through so as to preserve reputations and to mitigate any risks or liabilities. This is not a slam dunk.”
On a related note, Dave Boisvert stated: “Because of time frames, inflation, and things that just come up, you can’t anticipate what you don’t know nor have experience to answer. I don’t see how you can do the work at the same time that you raise money. How do you answer to donors without good answers to the unknown?”
The Commissioners seemed most concerned about “the best deal for the county” and not leaving the legacy of a burden for those who follow in their positions.
While too many unknowns currently exist, the next move forward will be to get the word out to Blaine County residents and to survey their interests as the groups involved continue to explore options. “What might be out there and available that we haven’t yet thought of,” suggested Chair of the Commission, Miles Hutton.
Ortner summarized: “As Blaine County citizens, our common goal is to present the history of Blaine County in the best possible means. We are all proud of our history, and the necessity of presenting it in a facility which is climate stable, bug and pest free, and environmentally appropriate is tantamount.”
