Cottage Five, River possible homes for Health Department

There’s good news and bad news for the Jefferson County Public Health Department. The good news is the department has found a potential location for a county wellness center, which could expand not only its space but its services. The bad news is the building in mind – Cottage Five on the South Campus of the former Montana Developmental Center – needs years of preparation and a lot of funding before it’s move-in ready.

This being the case, Jefferson County Commissioners have continued discussions with River Building owner Greg Hughes, who says he recently received another bid to remodel the building for $500,000 to $750,000, substantially less than the original $1.5 million estimate. 

According to Commission Chair Cory Kirsch, there is potential for a lease agreement with Hughes for space that could house the Public Health Department until Building Five is ready. That lease, Kirsch says, could be affordable with assistance from a low-interest government loan.