An enthusiastic crowd was on hand November 13 at the elegant Silver Bow Club in Butte to cheer on this year’s recipients of the 2009 MPA Preservation Excellence Awards. The group of seven honorees selected is now among Montana’s keepers of history, those whose passion for place, community, and architecture leads their vision and sustains their work.
Mayor Joe Whalen
Outstanding Preservation Leadership
A California native who came to Miles City by way of North Dakota, Mayor Joe Whalen has become an institution and an inspiration in the community, and statewide. From the beginning of his public service, historic preservation and the “artful celebration” of Miles City history has been a cornerstone of his vision for the city. In the face of the devastating fire that ripped through a city block in the Main Street historic district, Whalen rallied the community and emphasized the importance of retaining any historic fabric they could. He is determined to see infill compatible and respectful of the surrounding architecture. Mayor Whalen also led the efforts to save the Miles City Depot, meeting often with BNSF, community leaders, developers, and the local preservation commission to stave off threats of imminent demolition.
Urban Mountain Development, Blair Williams and
Karina Christensen
Placer Hotel, Helena
Developers Blair Williams and Karina Christensen of Urban Mountain Development purchased the historic Placer Hotel in Helena with a vision of breathing new life into a downtown landmark and creating an urban neighborhood rich in diversity. Now in 2009, the seven story hotel, built in 1913, offers 59 one and two bedroom units close to downtown shops and restaurants, and a hike or bike ride to a vast array of recreation opportunities. Williams and Christensen’s philosophy in all their projects is to connect with the classic architecture of existing buildings and blend that with modern design, construction, and interior décor, providing new and affordable housing for a growing downtown community. Within that vision, the exterior masonry, beautiful cornice, and unique concrete ornamentation has been meticulously maintained in its original condition and much of the interior lobby has been restored to its 1913 appearance. Nearly all the units are occupied and a bakery is planned for the ground floor. Urban Mountain Development is honored for their outstanding efforts to preserve this downtown anchor building and bring new merchants and residents to the historic core of Helena.
Mary Oliver
Lifetime Achievement
Mary Oliver is honored for Lifetime Achievement for her enthusiasm and dedication over the past 20 years to preserving heritage and culture in Southwest Montana through her work as a member and Chair of the Montana Heritage Commission and as a National Trust for Historic Preservation Montana Advisor. She is a mainstay in the life of the Ennis community and takes her role as small-town banker at First Madison Valley Bank as an opportunity to foster the growth and vitality of southwestern Montana. Through her connections in the business world and her considerable love and energy for historic preservation she has spearheaded dozens of efforts in Virginia and Nevada Cities and around the region, to promote, protect, and sustain these irreplaceable resources for generations to come.
Alec Hansen, MT League of Cities and Towns
Outstanding Preservation Leadership
Butte native Alec Hansen is one of the Montana’s most persuasive lobbyists and a longtime partner to the preservation community in efforts to protect historic Montana. Alec was a key player in getting Montana’s Main Street program passed in the 2005 legislature, and lobbied hard for historic preservation tax credits and preservation incentives. He is eloquent in painting the need to preserve our heritage at the Montana State Legislature and continues to persevere in the quest to revitalize, promote, and protect Montana’s towns – from small downtowns to Uptown Butte, America. He is honored for his many years of service and dedication to preserving Main Street Montana.
Tom Beaudette & Janna Moser, Beaudette Consulting Engineers
Outstanding Contribution to Statewide Preservation
At Beaudette Consulting Engineers of Missoula, partners Tom Beaudette and Janna Moser combine expertise in structural investigations with a love for historic buildings. Their portfolio includes Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn, the Butte Sears Building and Kalispell’s Central School. And when some of Montana’s most important buildings have been threatened with demolition, the Beaudette crew has stepped in as a valuable partner. Tom and Janna have helped MPA and building owners challenged with structural problems to assess the condition of their properties and determine a course for rehabilitation. On many projects where buildings are at risk, they have done the work pro bono from the Libby High School to the Whaley Homestead near Stevensville. Beaudette Consulting Engineers are honored for their contributions of time and expert advice for the preservation of Montana heritage and culture.
Montana Legislature
House Appropriations and Senate Finance & Claims Committees
HB 645 Historic Preservation Stimulus Grants
Passage of House Bill 645 represents a milestone in funding for historic preservation in Montana. The bill included an historic $4 million pool of funds for HB 645 Historic Preservation Grants, the most that our legislature has ever appropriated for this purpose.
MPA would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance & Claims Committees who committed this funding. Special thanks to Representative Cindy Hiner who worked hard for all $4 Million and sponsored the amendment to set aside this funding, along with stalwart preservation supporters on both committees. The legislators are honored for their vision to divert funds for heritage, particularly as Montana stands apart from all other states: the only state to fund preservation grants with stimulus dollars. As these grants begin to resuscitate much-loved historic places across Montana, MPA knows that people will join in thanking the members of the legislature for their uncommon vision and love of Montana’s heritage.
For unswerving support, MPA thanks members of both committees:
Representatives Jon Sesso, Dan Villa, Galen Hollenbaugh, Bill McChesney, Dave Kasten, Ray Hawk, Walter McNutt, Duane Anckney, Dennis Gets, Theresa Henry, Roy Hollandsworth, Lew Jones, Robert Mehlhoff, Penny Morgan, Bill Nooney, Caroline Pease-Lopez, Don Roberts and Cheryl Steenson.
Senators Ryan Zinke, Dave Lewis, Rick Laible, Greg Barkus, John Esp, Bob Hawks, Carol Williams, Mike Cooney, Keith Bales, John Brenden, Debby Barrett, John Brueggeman, Steve Gallus, Ken Hansen, Jim Peterson, Rick Ripley, Trudi Schmidt, Mitch Tropila, and Dave Wanzenreid.
Steve Duffy, Leonard Duffy and Eric Gerlinger
Renovation and Rehabilitation of Historic Calvert Hotel, Lewistown
Since winter of 2007, Leonard Duffy, Steve Duffy, Eric Gerlinger and a crew of 10 have worked to transform what was once a school dormitory into an elegant hotel. Though most of the interior finishes are new, some woodwork, and the original corridors and stairwells are intact. MPA is delighted to recognize the Calvert Hotel rehabilitation for its dramatic improvement of the building and for its now prominent presence in the historic downtown area. The Duffys and Mr. Gerlinger have taken great care to preserve the original feeling of the interior spaces and at the same time incorporate compatible modern conveniences and design elements. "We put everything in it to make it last another hundred years," Steve Duffy said. The partners invested more than $1.2 million in remodeling and restoring Lewistown's old hotel, giving it a resort feel that is rare in Lewistown.
