Two projects based in Jefferson County, each vying to receive up to $500,000 through the Montana Historic Preservation Grant (MHPG) program, made presentations to legislators at the state Capitol in Helena on Jan. 15 in hopes of receiving grant awards.
The projects are Jefferson County’s own Cottage Five restoration effort, which aims to convert a building on the former Montana Developmental Center’s South Campus in Boulder to a new county health facility, and a planned renovation to the Boulder Hot Springs.
“I think both of us (Cottage Five and Boulder Hot Springs) can absolutely receive this grant,” said Annika Hirmke, the grant manager for Boulder Hot Springs. “County and city representatives I’ve spoken to have voiced their support for our project, so I don’t think anyone feels we’re getting in the way. I just hope we all get what we need.”
The Hot Springs previously received a $500,000 MHPG award in 2021, which it used for roof repairs, landscaping, and other exterior improvements.
Hirmke presented the scope of the Hot Springs’ new renovation to the Joint Appropriations Sub-committee on Long Range Planning, while Jefferson County Commissioner Cory Kirsch, Public Health Supervisor Pam Hanna, and Jefferson Local Development Corp. Project Supervisor Leah Lewis presented on behalf of the Cottage Five restoration.
“I think it went well,” said Kirsch. “There’s just not enough money for everybody, I feel a bit sorry for the legislators that have to dig through all this. It’s a tough decision. But, really, I feel our testimony went well. I think we stand a decent chance, but we’ll see.”
The Montana Department of Commerce (DOC) originally ranked the Hot Springs renovation 15th and Cottage Five 26th among 63 projects statewide seeking MHPG funding. That put the Hot Springs renovation within the initial $6.2 million authorized by the draft House Bill 12, which would allocate the funds. The Cottage Five project could still be authorized if funding is expanded to the more than $10 million awarded in 2023.
The Commerce Department’s funding recommendations are not final until this year’s historic preservation grant bill is passed.
“Every project that applied was invited to testify, make their case, and answer any questions the legislators might have,” said Hirmke. “Given our ranking, I don’t think we have terrible chances. I don’t really know what the committee members are prioritizing this round, but I’m fairly optimistic.”
While funding received for the Cottage Five restoration would go towards the project’s $3.1 million total price tag, the Hot Springs would use its award to fix cracking in the concrete foundation of its co-ed pool, replace floor joints, windows and certain walls impacted by accumulated internal moisture, and make a number of unspecified accessibility upgrades to more carefully comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
“It’s a hot spring,” said Hirmke. “There is so much moisture in the building, and things can deteriorate really quickly if problems aren’t addressed as they pop up. We get by though making regular repairs, but there are some larger underlying issues we need this grant to address.”
MHPG applicants, according to Hirmke, will not receive a final decision on their grant applications until near the end of the current legislative session, in late April.
