Rocky Mountain Building

The Rocky Mountain building, at the corner of Central Avenue and 6th Street downtown, has been listed for sale for $3.2 million.

Alluvion closed on the purchase of the building in February 2019. The building has been vacant since a 2009 fire and is often the ire of locals with its pigeon infestation and state of disrepair.

According to the city planning office, no formal complaints have been filed about the building.

In an email asking about Alluvion’s plans since the property was listed for sale, Maia LaSalle, Alluvion spokeswoman, said, “as we have communicated previously, we have been actively exploring all options with our partners regarding the Rocky Mountain building. Listing the building is in keeping with this strategy, and all possibilities remain on the table. Our primary focus remains on providing quality care to our patients and the community, staying true to our mission as a community health center. We continue to work directly with our partners and stakeholders on all aspects of the project.”

Business Bites: JBs closed; Craft Beer Week; Lewis and Clark Festival; Chase Your Dreams closing; Big Sky Big Dreams for sale; Prairie Mountain River Adventures; Pizza Ranch, Joann updates; Juneteenth; Giant Springs activities; Arts on Fire; Big Dipper, arcade open; Yarn and Honey moving

She did not provide a response to a question about whether the roughly $4 million in liens filed against the property had been paid or factored into the sale price.

In June, city staff told The Electric that they’d working with Alluvion Health and Sletten Construction to get streets and sidewalks operational and safe around the building.

Alluvion paused construction on the project last summer and the crane was removed in May.

Sletten and subcontractors have placed liens on the property for unpaid invoices totaling more than $4 million.

One of the contractors told The Electric that they and others had not yet been paid any of the outstanding balance.

In June, city staff said the roadway had been reopened and half off the sidewalk is open. Alluvion is maintaining a fenced/barricaded perimeter to keep individuals away from the building for safety and security.

Staff said Alluvion has swept the inside of the conex and planned to power wash it over the summer. The intent is to remove the conexes and direct pedestrian traffic back onto the sidewalk, but before that occurs Sletten has engaged with the structural engineer to assess the integrity of the building façade on the southeast corner of the property that has not been braced. Sletten was hoping to get the analysis results from the structural engineer in the next month or so, according to city staff, and then officials will have a better idea of the path to having a safe pathway on the sidewalk.

Construction liens filed against Alluvion’s Rocky Mountain project; agency still working on financing

City staff told The Electric that as of Sept. 16, they still had not received information on the structural report.

City staff said they are pursuing options to reopen the public rights of way spaces at the request of commissioners.

Typically, staff needs formal complaints to take action against private property issues unless public safety is threatened.

Wendy’s

The new Wendy’s at 139 N.W. Bypass officially opens at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 26 with their grand opening celebration on Oct. 2.

Business Bites: second locations for Wendy’s, Coffee Republic; Old Chicago; traffic signal box art; housing; MSU nursing school; MT41 casino opens; new diner; and more

Firehouse Steamers

Firehouse Steamers at 900 9th St. S. is now closed.

They’re still looking for new owners for the business.

Great Falls Gymnastics Academy

Great Falls Gymnastics Academy closed Aug. 23.

The building is listed for sale.

“While it’s difficult to say goodbye, we’re looking forward to GFGA’s staff joining forces with Rock n Chalk Gymnastics, blending our core foundations with the latest training techniques. These traditions are the backbone of a strong and uplifting culture, and vary committed to carrying them forward to build confidence with Rock n Chalk Gymnastics,” the Great Falls Gymnastics owners wrote on their page.

Rock n Chalk is located at 900 9th St. S.

Business Bites: seafood restaurant planned for former Black Bear Diner; new Panda Express opening; Black Eagle Country Club for sale; Chadwick mural dedication; Russell Museum events; Reichert celebration of life; and more

Korean Cup Bop

The Korean Cup Bop at Central Avenue and 11th Street is listed for sale.

According to the listing, the “very successful and popular” restaurant is being sold with the building and the owner is willing to stay on to train.

Cambridge Court

The former Cambridge Court is listed for sale.

A renovation of the building into apartments had been planned.

Last fall, City Commissioners voted to rescind a Community Development Block Grant loan fund award.

In August 2022, commissioners approved $1.2 million in CDBG revolving loan funds to Dan Batemen to renovate the former Cambridge Court at 1109 6th Ave. N. into apartments.

City rescinds $1.2 million in CDBG funds for Cambridge Court renovation

The property is 1.26 acres, zoned multi-family high density, and contains a vacant, 5-story building that was
constructed in 1929.

City approves $1.2 million loan for apartment project [2022]

The building was an assisted living facility that closed in 2019 and has been vacant since.

Staff recommended that commissioners rescind the funding since the project complexities affected the timeline and the project won’t meet the CDBG program requirements this year.

Essentially, the CDBG program requires that certain percentages of the annual allocation be spent within a certain amount of time, so since the Cambridge project is taking longer than anticipated, the city would be at risk of having too much CDBG funding for too long this year.

Malmstrom contracts

The 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base has awarded a $52,510 contract for a communication cabling project to Wadsworth Builders Company.

The period of performance for this award is 40 calendar days after issuance of the notice to proceed.

Business Bites: Vintage Sellers, Yarn and Honey moving; Miss Linda’s registration open; Ranch at Milo Creek open house; optometrist opens; Evergreen Nutrition, Cozy Corner Cafe for sale; Back 2 School Blast

The 341st Contracting Squadron also awarded a $38,700 contract to James Talcott Construction for the wing conference room renovation at Malmstrom.

The period of performance for this award is 60 calendar days after issuance of the notice to proceed.

The 34st Contracting Squadron also awarded a $308,820 contract to Wadsworth Buildings Company to construct flight security control simulators in the wing headquarters building.

The period of performance for this award is 180 calendar days after issuance of the notice to proceed.

Chicago Title

Chicago Title is moving from their current space in Milwaukee Station to 300 River Drive S., Suite 2.

They’ll open the new location Sept. 23.

The Front Agency 

Jen Barnett, a longtime Realtor and broker from Fairfield has launched The Front Agency.

The Front Agency is made up of seven women-Barnett, Mary Ann Hilyard, Deanna Rutten, Helen Music, Tasha Johnson, Sierra Johnson Waltari and Jennifer Gruber.

In addition to real estate, the women of The Front Agency are active members of their communities and give back in a variety of ways, from volunteering at local schools to pitching in at events. They are also the driving force behind the 1000 in Action Foundation.

Cassiopeia author event

Cassiopeia Books is hosting an author event at 6 p.m. Sept. 26 with J. Houlihan Clayton, author of the Old West mystery series, Discretion.

Clayton will be discussing the fourth and newest book in the series, Discretion is Valor.

Business Bites: Big Lots closing; NWE acquiring Energy West; Joanns update; Albertsons merger; Luz’s Mexican kitchen; Eagles Manor auction; and more

Great Falls Community Concert Association

The Great Falls Community Concert Association kicks off their season Sept. 26 at the Mansfield Theater with The Wardens.

Tickets are $35, or a six-show season ticket is $109. Tickets may be purchased the night of the show or contact the Mansfield Box Office at (406) 455-8514 or visit the association website.

Towns which have reciprocity agreements with the GFCCA may purchase a ticket for $5 with proper identification. Cities include Fort Benton, Lewistown, and Sydney/Glasgow/Malta.

The Wardens are three Canadian national park wardens with three-part harmonies and chilling tales. The band’s mountain music reflects the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. Celebrating the return of wild buffalo, wrangling grizzly bears, lonely nights on the pack trail and reflecting on an environment crisis, the most recent being the terrible fires which destroyed nearly half the town of Jasper, Alberta, also the home of at least one of the band members.

Bell ringers needed

The Salvation Army Great Falls is seeking bell ringers for their annual holiday fundraising efforts.

Sign up at RegisterToRing to find a location and time that works for you.

For more information, contact Maj. Mike Halverson at 406-453-0391 or michael.halverson@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Joanns

Work is ongoing at the new Joann location in Holiday Village Mall.

A spokeswoman for Joanns told The Electric on Sept. 23 that they were aiming for a Nov. 22 open date.

Joann is hiring for the new Great Falls location.

Earlier this summer, interior work was halted as Rhino Investments, the owner of the Joann, Harbor Freight and former Fit Republic spaces, hadn’t repaired the broken sprinkler system.

Business Bites: Big Lots closing; NWE acquiring Energy West; Joanns update; Albertsons merger; Luz’s Mexican kitchen; Eagles Manor auction; and more

Fire Marshal Mike McIntosh told The Electric in July that he was allowing exterior work for the Joanns space to continue.

He said Lakeview Construction, the general contractor, and Joanns are bypassing Rhino and trying to get the sprinkler system repaired in all three spaces so that interior work could continue.

The former Joann location on 10th Avenue South is closed and being converted into a Pizza Ranch.

Permits

Fresh Rescue Kitchen

The Fresh Rescue Kitchen is now open at 513 2nd Ave. S.

Mike Dalton, of Westside Orchard Garden, led the idea to reduce food waste and address food insecurity in the community.

The Montana Food Bank network and St. Vincent de Paul works to get discarded produce from retail grocery stores for those in need.

Another focus area for the kitchen is to undertake limited food establishment rescue from restaurants, caterers, hospitals and schools.

Business Bites: News and Brews; Thursday night markets at new city pool; kite festival; The Music Man; Cushing Terrell acquires engineering firm; veteran commendations; games at the library; Paris Gibson Square gift; swim lesson registration; junior rangers

Daydream Boutique

Daydream Boutique is open at 611 Central Ave.

Owner Angela Smith and husband Bill decided earlier this year to leave Holiday Village Mall for a downtown location.

Memorial Stadium painting

C.M. Russell High School football player Cody Hoehn repainted the Memorial Stadium grandstand walls over the summer as part of his Eagle Scout project.

Deciding to repaint the wall, Cody contacted district officials about his ideas and Hopper and Ro donated the paint, and the quarterback club and Oatman Custom Fabrication, according to the district.

Cody got 30 volunteers to help over the summer.

GFPS Athletic Director said the walls were last painted in 1997, and “now we can appreciate the work, perseverance and nice welcome for our opposing teams as they enter the west grandstands.”

Defense cyber operations training

The Montana National Guard’s Defensive Cyber Operations Element provided a day of training and familiarization to students, and a report of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Cyber Resilience Review Self-Assessment and Innovative Readiness Training to Montana State University faculty, staff, students, and guard leadership Sept. 5-6 at MSU.

The DCOE has been working with MSU since January.

Through this project, the Guard provided interactive cybersecurity training and experience to both guardsmen and university faculty, staff, and students. The full team first met on the Bozeman campus, then over the past six months, members of smaller guard teams traveled to MSU’s satellite campuses in Billings, Great Falls and Havre.

Business Bites: downtown Hardee’s sold; Mrs. Wrights Pastys closing; Honey Hippo has new owners; Hi-Line Climbing offering free climbing; Miss Linda’s, Montana Youth Symphony have upcoming events; Cascade 66 Race; Special Olympics Montana numbers; Korean War online exhibit; Safety Town; and more

The Guard used the exercise as a training opportunity to assist MSU in further developing their cybersecurity posture. The process assesses and evaluates an organization’s ability to manage cyber risk, by using their people, information,
technology, and facilities to support specific operational missions and services.

“We were only able to participate in this exercise at the request of MSU, and because of their desire to think ahead and protect everyone they work with. Having additional federal funding, we were able to provide the training at no cost to MSU, and for the equivalent amount of cyber assistance and consultation would cost $383,500,” Lt. Col. Tony Lecce, DCOE Mission Command Supervisor, said in a release.

Business Bites: Costello now sole Fire Pizza owner; new batting cage; Cassiopeia events; Leadership Great Falls fundraising for Eagle Mount; blood drive; First Friday Art Walk; art fundraiser; and more

IRT is a Department of Defense military training opportunity, authorized under federal law, in response to the 1992 “Rebuild America” initiative. It is exclusive to the U.S. and its territories, delivering joint training opportunities to increase deployment readiness, as well as key services such as healthcare, construction, transportation and cybersecurity.

To conduct an IRT mission, it must: take place in the U.S. or its territories, accomplish mission-essential training, result in 100 or more hours of training, not compete with the private sector, non-competition clause, not include commercial
development, Military members cannot provide law enforcement during IRT missions, and IRT authorities cannot be used to respond to natural or man-made disasters.

Got a business bite? Email it to jenn@theelectricgf.com with “business bite” in the subject line and the pertinent details in text form in the body of the email.