Archived Story

Open house today at new council chambers

MISSOULA n After more than a year “out of pocket” the Missoula City Council will have its first meeting in its new chambers Monday night.

The public is invited to help celebrate the grand opening with an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. at 140 W. Pine St.

Tours of the new council meeting rooms and Missoula Redevelopment Agency offices will be given by council members and city staff. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Mayor John Engen will cut the ribbon at the new chambers door just before the weekly 7 p.m. council meeting. New flags will be presented by the Missoula Police Department color guard. That will be followed by the singing of “American the Beautiful” led by chief administrative officer Bruce Bender.

The 6,000-square-foot main floor of the new building also houses a new city council office, conference room, rest rooms and an MCAT equipment room for TV broadcasts. The basement has almost 6,000 square feet of archival storage.

The building was constructed in 1952 as chapter headquarters for the Loyal Order of Moose. From 1995 to 2004 it was home to the Blue Heron night club and live music venue operated by local entrepreneurs. The city bought the building in August 2004 for $525,000.

The council has been meeting at St. Patrick Hospital since September 2005.
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)
Current Word Count:
   

|

Subscribe to the Missoulian today — get 2 weeks free!