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Vol. 61, No. 58
Downtown residence could return to Gulch
By Jason Mohr - IR Staff Writer - 2/07/05
The Walking Mall reconstruction project - and controversy - has hogged headlines, but a recent decision without much fanfare could be a step toward a downtown residential renaissance.
Folks already live on Last Chance Gulch in the Placer Center, Colwell Building and elsewhere. But it's been over 17 years since the gulch's last significant residential project. (The Great Northern Town Center has plans for townhouses at the north end.)
Enter Linda Reed, who's passionate about downtowns.
Formerly of Denver, Reed said she she was "stunned" when she first saw the gulch.
"I just really have a personal love of downtown living," she says. "I think downtowns are just critical to economic development."
The Montana Community Foundation's executive director got city approval to renovate the top of what was the Carlson Appliance Company building, converting 2,200 square feet of office space and storage into a one-bedroom pad.
Reed hopes to move in by late summer, when she has promised a public unveiling.
A covered terrace will look out over the intersection of Eighth Avenue and Last Chance Gulch and "will give me the garden I won't have," she says. The mostly open floor plan includes a studio and study. Reed will park her car in a garage tucked off Jackson Street.
Most recently the Carlson building sold washing machines. Built in 1887, it was once a blacksmith's shop and later a wallpaper store. Today, appliances have given way to cashmere garments and other seasonal retail use.
In the old days, most Helenans lived on or close to the Gulch. The Helena Valley, today's bedroom community, was mostly ranchland.
Downtown boosters have talked about how great it would be to get more people living downtown, especially those in the upper income brackets.
But preliminary discussions just haven't panned out, says city planner Kathy Macefield. Reed's plan is the first in a while.
"I think this could signal a new direction for downtown," Macefield says.
-- Some may think Helena's downtown is faltering, but the area economy is quite robust, according to a Florida consulting company.
Helena ranks No. 37 nationally in economic strength among 573 "micropolitan" areas, according to Policom Corp. of Palm City, Fla.
The study uses earnings data to examine "the economy's impact upon the 'standard of living' of the people who live and work in an area." Consistent growth fared well; volatility didn't.
Only No. 9 Bozeman came in higher in Montana. (Check out details at www.policom.com/metro.htm.)
Other Treasure State towns rated poorly. Havre apparently doesn't have it, ranking a paltry 551st.
-- Don't expect President George W. Bush to ride Helena's Ridgeline or Diretissima trails.
Bush, who gave up jogging for mountain biking, said in Great Falls Thursday he's not a daredevil willing to tackle Montana's "little trails."
"It's got to be fabulous mountain biking (in Montana)," Bush said, in response a local serviceman's question.
For more thoughts on the presidential visit, log onto www.helenair.com/blog/ record/index.php.
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