Historic Preservation Commission Minutes

Thursday, June 04, 2020 at 6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Virtual Meeting: Live Stream and On Demand: http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/webcasts

YouTube Live Stream and On Demand: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5fnfMPFGSk8Gwq6F5UoqGg

Live call in phone numbers: 1 [phone] 1 [phone] (landlines only) Meeting ID: 960 049 3694

Voting members present:

• Jamie Ryan Lockman (Chair),
• Steve Adler (Professional),
• Cathy Bickenheuser (Professional),
• Paul Filicetti,vice-chair (Downtown),
• James McDonald (Professional),
• and Kent Watson

Regular member(s) absent:

• Vacant (Alternate 1),
• Bruce Haroldson (At large),
• and Vacant (At large)

---

1.

Call to Order

Jamie Ryan Lockman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2.

Roll Call

Jamie Ryan Lockman called the roll.

3.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from last meeting are approved as submitted.

4.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

5.

New Business

5.1

MT Historic Preservation Grant Environmental Review - Boone and Crockett Club, Old Milwaukee Depot, 250 Station Drive - Paul Filicetti

Paul Filicetti, A&E Architects, provided a presentation with Jodi Bishop from Boone and Crockett Club for a Montana Historic Preservation Grant Program (MHPG) environmental review.
The presentation will explain the project and activities and potential funding and seek public comment. Comments are due by the end of the day June 11th.
The Milwaukee building has undergone multiple changes over the years; each time it changed, materials were replaced but records were available.
The building has been home to the Boone and Crocket Club since 1992. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places; it is one of 62 historic resources in Missoula. Milwaukee Depot, 250 Station Drive, includes the historic passenger building with towers and baggage building.
Mr. Filicetti detailed a number of MPHG Program Activities for a variety of exterior envelope repair recommendations for roof, gutters and downspouts, windows and masonry. These repairs include returning the historic clay roof feature removed in the 1980s. The detailed recommendations form the foundation for the MHPG program application.
The budget includes costs for general contractors, permits, bonds and insurance for a total estimate of $1,302,900. Possible funding sources including MHPG at $500,000, Murdock Charitable Trust, Montana History Foundation, Boone and Crocket Club. There would be no costs incurred by citizens of Missoula as a result of the project.
A committee member asked whether MHPG expects to stay on budget. Paul Filicetti noted that they have not seen any increases in material costs at this time, but it depends on what the bid environment is at the time they are ready.
A committee member suggested contacting Job Corps when bidding. It might help in terms of attracting grants.
Emy Scherrer, Historic Preservation Officer, noted that the City of Missoula Historic Preservation website has both applications to click and read the applications, appendices and environmental reviews, as well as contact information for comments.

5.2

MT Historic Preservation Grant Environmental Review - Hammond Arcade, 101 S. Higgins Ave - David Gray

David Gray, DVG Architecture and Planning, provided a presentation on the Montana Historic Preservation Grant (MHPG) program for the Hammond Arcade. They seek to make a viable building that is safe. The application includes a history of the building and the characters that were involved in the preservation of the building. The building had a number of owners over its hundred-plus-year lifetime and the building has not had well-done renovations.
Mr. Gray shared pictures that highlighted deteriorating joints, damaged masonry, water infiltration, mechanical retrofits, and awning issues among others. He also highlighted opportunities for new store front windows, skylights, and entries that would benefit the economic viability of the historic resource into the future. The building never had a sprinkler system which limits its development ability. The grant would include a new fire alarm and sprinkler system to make the lower level a viable business space.
Building is in a key corner of downtown and there is a desire not to let it fall into further disrepair.
Appendix A on page 22 of application includes the budget. Total budget $744,702 MHPG request 496,492 with matching funds estimated at $248,210.
Public comment is due by June 10th so they can be incorporated into the final application. Comments can be sent to David Gray, whose contact information is in the application.

6.

Old Business

6.1

May Historic Preservation and Legacy Business Awards Sub-Committee Update

Ms. Scherrer provided an update on the Historic Preservation and Legacy Business Awards.
Legacy Businesses include: Wordens Market and Deli, Benson’s Farm, and Mountain Press Publishing.
Preservation Awards include Missoula County Courthouse, Missoula County Fairgrounds - Culinary and Commercial building, Forest Service Building 26, and 201 S 4th St W.
Ms. Scherrer received 100 stickers plus big window clings that can be placed on interior windows. She alerted all winners via email and letters.
A committee member questioned whether the application process could be simplified so an average person could feel comfortable participating. It was noted that it would be great to offer support from the Historic Preservation Commission or students. Ms. Scherrer noted that they can re-evaluate the questions being asked next year to make it more accessible and inclusive. She will also endeavor to include nominations online for the public.

6.2

Building Watch

A committee member who serves on the cemetery board mentioned that the consultant has been hired to provide a report that will be made public in near future. There was a suggestion that the cemetery make major alterations, but the board was opposed. The board and staff are interested to work with partners to get the historic part of the cemetery listed on the National Register. Ms. Scherrer noted that it could be a good internship project with her mentorship. National Register applications are owner-initiated and do not require Historic Preservation Board support.
A committee member noted a brick building they previously discussed is now demolished. Ms. Scherrer conducted a full documentation before it came down; she had pictures to share with board members.
Ms. Scherrer also noted a rumor that 322 Levasseur will be taken down. It is a blue house near the park known as the old Shelton house. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) considered the building not listable because of its level of deterioration.

7.

Historic Preservation Officer Staff Report & Project Notification

Ms. Scherrer reviewed her Staff Report, available online.
A committee member confirmed that a large percentage of bricks being removed from the University of Montana oval will be shared with Home Resource and others so they can be recycled and reused.
A committee member noted that race and cultural diversity are impacting history together with COVID right now. She noted that white-only covenants still exist in Missoula and the group stated it would be an important symbolic gesture to clean them up even if the covenants were not legally binding. Other committee members noted that they would like to get involved with the Preservation Objective Portfolio. Ms. Scherrer will include an item for next month to formalize the creation of a committee. COVID-related donation items are being received by the University of Montana Archives. Ms. Scherrer will check whether the Board can put out a statement. They can also work through partners like Heritage Missoula or Fort Missoula on information or displays that acknowledge racism roots in our community.

8.

Board Member Comments

9.

Announcements, News & Upcoming  Events

10.

Adjournment

Steve Adler and Kent Watson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m.