Downtown Business

Wise Wonders has Some Wise Plans

28 August 2020
Press Room
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Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum has launched a Vision Campaign, showcasing plans for the future of the Museum, located at 3024 2nd Avenue North in downtown Billings.

“During the closure, Wise Wonders determined the time was right to make the most of our closed doors,” explained Executive Director Pete Bolenbaugh. “We’ve been hard at work creating a vision for the future of the Museum in our new space, and we’re thrilled for the community to share in our excitement for what’s to come.”

Wise Wonders Maker Space

Included in future plans for the Museum are a fully functioning maker space and workshop, as well as exhibits and programming content that will focus on science, inquiry-based education, and interactive play. The vision creates new spaces for older children, tweens and teens and enhances the experience for younger children. In keeping with the mission of the organization, all plans encourage interactive learning through play and exploration.

Wise Wonders Exhibit Space

“Wise Wonders is a treasured space in the Billings community,” shared board president Kelly McCandless. “While we are eager for the return of joyful voices learning in the Museum, we are truly making use of this time to create an even better Wise Wonders experience for years to come.”

Downtown Business Owners Want to Form a New TID

18 February 2020
Press Room
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A group of property owners in the west end of downtown Billings want to create a new tax improvement district.


The proposed boundaries of the new district would be Division Street, 1st Avenue North and North 31st The pros and cons and options available to them was explained to a gathering of some 30 people at the Granite Tower building, a week ago, headed by one of the property owners Russell Fagg, whose family owns Granite Tower, as well as the Fratt Building, a former school, located just across the street.

“There are pros and cons,” said Fagg, “I think the pros out-weigh the cons.” While very supportive of the idea, Fagg credited Jeff Kanning, a principal of Collaborative Design, an architect firm, with initiating the idea.
Kanning said that the creation of a TIF would give the area a public investment tool to make improvements that would make the area and Billings more attractive. He said that Billings is in a competition with other cities in the state to attract a workforce – “and Billings is losing.”
“This is an undefined, hidden gem. It could be a lynch pin” to more downtown development. “Maybe we could get city hall to locate down here,” he said. It’s about “place making” and to help enhance the neighborhood. “It’s not to compete with One Big Sky District,” Kanning added.


Kanning said that one possible vision for the area was to build a trolley/bus system to serve the area and connect it to the hospitals and the rest of downtown. Fagg explained that the cost of improving property often exceeds what the market can afford to pay in renting or leasing. Being able to tap into TIF funds to build some of the basic infrastructure for a project, such as a street, helps make the development economically feasible.
“This is about what do you want Billings to look like in 20 or 30 years?”
In consideration are two options for a TIF. One to become part of the existing downtown TIF and the other is to be a stand-alone district. Fagg said his preference was to be a stand-alone district because that would give them control to assure that future tax revenues would be spent at that end of downtown. But it depends on what other property owners want, he said.
The proposal will go to the planning board and then for a final decision by the city council which would have to approve an ordinance creating the district. The process could take up to nine months. It was suggested that the district would be called Founders’ District after Founders’ Park which lies within the proposed district (the triangular park at 1st Avenue north and Division Street, has the lighted Christmas Tree.)


A TIF is a designated area, usually one considered in need of infrastructure improvements or deemed as blighted. Future increases in property taxes paid by the property owners within that district are directed to be spent on improvements within that district. The idea is that the improvements will generate greater development and economic growth, and more tax revenues in the future. Improvements are usually directed at building streets, curbs and gutters, parking garages, utilities, etc.


The city currently has three TIF districts, a downtown district, the east urban renewal district, and the South Billings Boulevard District.
Those in the audience asked “what about the downsides to creating a TIF district?”


There seemed to be few, as far as the organizers were concerned, but from the audience came comments that readily identified some of the typical complaints about TIF’s, including comments from one city council member Chris Friedel, who said that TIFS were “counter productive.” He went on to claim that the downtown TIF, which will expire in 2038 is evidence that TIFs do not achieve what they are meant to achieve.


Others comments were made to point out that tax revenues that are directed to a TIF, do not go into the general funds of other taxing jurisdictions, such as the city, which means that in order to maintain the same level of revenues to fund their functions, those governmental bodies must increase levies on taxpayers outside the TIF districts to compensate.
For taxing jurisdictions which have limited ability to increase levies, such as schools, this can be a problem.


Some property owners commented that whether a project or development is viable in the market is something that should be determined in advance of buying it. Said one woman, “You have to pencil out the thing. That’s what I did. I don’t look to government and taxpayers to do it.” Another commented, “this is cronyism.”

Billings Businesses, Property Owners Take Problems Head-on

3 November 2019
Evelyn Pyburn
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Even though they hoped it might have been less, about 50 percent of respondents who participated in the Billings Chamber of Commerce’s survey said they have been impacted by the presence and activities of street people, said Daniel Brooks at a townhall style meeting about public safety at the Northern Hotel on Oct. 2. Ten percent said that they have been impacted “a lot,” said Brooks, who is the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Manager.

That so many people believe the problem is impacting their lives and businesses, was undoubtedly the reason that so many attended what was billed as a public safety meeting, sponsored by the Chamber and several downtown businesses, such as Buchanan Capital and the Northern Hotel. Easily some 200 people were in attendance – almost as many as attended a November 2018 meeting, which first broached the issue.

Stories abound throughout the city from citizens about encounters they have had with homeless people, panhandlers, and vagrants on city streets. Some are just “party goers” who see Billings as their “Las Vegas,” pointed out Chief of Police Rich St. John – they are not homeless. But, encounters with them, often leave shoppers and employees and visitors feeling uneasy and vulnerable.

As a case in point, a few days after the townhall meeting, a discussion among department heads in county government unveiled concerns from county employees about being accosted by people on the streets. It most commonly happens during the hours that employees are coming to work or going home, said Justice of the Peace David Carter, in asking county commissioners what could be done about it.

After finding out that most of the incidents are not reported, Sheriff Mike Linder, who was also present, said that that was the most important thing they could do. They need to report each incident to law enforcement.

Discussion continued about placing video cameras at the county’s parking lot.

Knowing that they are being videoed in any given area does discourage vagrants from loitering, said a business man, but there are a lot of other – usually less expensive things that property owners and business people can do that help. Pursuing those things is the primary focus of the strategy of civic leaders in Billings.

Simple things like cleaning up litter, cutting weeds and trimming bushes, cleaning windows and improving lighting are first-line defense that is part of what is called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).

Attending the December meeting was a representative of Vantage Point, a Bozeman –based firm, that offers CPTED consulting services.

A number of Billings’ citizens are volunteering to get the training needed to assist property and business owners to assess their sites and develop a plan on what improvements are needed to reduce the risk of crime. Brooks said that he is going to take the training, and others in law enforcement and leadership are doing likewise.

Those in attendance at the town hall meeting were encouraged to seek the help of the trained consultants, which will to be made available at no charge through the Downtown Billings Alliance (DBA).

It was also announced that a $25,000 fund is being established to help property owners to make improvements that will improve customer and employee safety, on a one-to-one match basis, up to $3000.

Sean Lynch, owner of Pub Station, who served on a discussion panel during the public safety meeting, related his experience in improving his property. “First thing you should do is wake up at 2 or 3 am and take a look at your business at that hour. I think you will be surprised.”

Thinking his property was in pretty good shape, Lynch said he was surprised with what he found at that hour. He found things that needed to be improved and having made those relatively inexpensive improvements has made a big difference in pedestrian traffic for his business.

His mid-night visit revealed that three lights were out. After engaging some artists to help spruce up the alley, he realized that there actually needed to be more lighting. “Now,” he said, “people can walk in the alley and feel comfortable.”

The grassroots strategy requires citizens to pursue solutions themselves rather than expecting someone else to “take care of it.” That is in essence the approach the community is taking in pursuing the ideas of CPTED – rather than expecting city or county government or someone else to solve the problem.

As part of individuals assuming more responsibility, Chief St. John pointed out that there are taverns and bars that “over serve.” He warned that it is the server’s responsibility to know when to stop serving an individual.

Lynch supported the Chief’s comments saying, “Every business owner can do better.” He suggested that employees need more training.

Continued St. John, “We need to stop enabling people. It is a very complex problem, but we can manage the problem; we can’t cure it.”

That does not mean however that the city and county aren’t focused on what can be done to improve the situation.

Despite having added 100 beds to the jail, the facility is already over-crowded and more additions will have to be considered in the future, said Sheriff Linder, but he emphatically added that it is not true that people who should be in jail are not being incarcerated. “If they need to be there we will find a place for them,” he said.

Linder compared Billings to Boise, Idaho which added to its jail, “same as we did.” While Billings is generally pushing an inmate population of over 500, Boise typically has over a thousand. “This isn’t Mayberry anymore,” said Linder, “One day we will be the Boise of Montana.”

The City of Billings is closely examining the prospects of putting another safety mill levy before voters in order to increase the number of police officers. For its population Billings is 28 policemen short compared to other cities of the same size, said Chief St. John.

“Enforcement is robust here,” said St. John, “but added resources allows us to do much more.” Just a police presence makes all the difference. “When you make it uncomfortable and undesirable to be in a place, they are going to move on.”

City Administrator Chris Kukulski pointed out that in comparison to other cities, “Billings residents pay the least for services and that is showing up as being the least- safe community. It will cost more money to get us out of the place we are in.”

“We can’t afford to be the least -safe community,” he added.

Buffalo Block at the Rex Opens

20 October 2019
Evelyn Pyburn
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Buffalo Block Prime Steakhouse at the Rex opened on October 1 as Billings’ newest first class restaurant.

Since the closure of the Rex Restaurant about a year -and -a -half ago, Billings has been closely watching and wondering what would emerge from one of the city’s most popular haunts. When news was announced that the property had been purchased by the Larson Family with the intent of reopening as a first class restaurant, spirits rose about its future, and the remodeling that has been going on over the past year has been closely monitored by the community.

Billings will not be disappointed with what has been done. Completely redesigned, remodeled and equipped, Buffalo Block offers high-end dining in a completely new atmosphere, and yet one that somehow retains a hint of its past; and the character that has always made The Rex distinctive still lingers just below the surface.

With a completely new floor plan, the warm honey-tones of a walnut wood finish, throughout, brings a warmth and comfort. Special attention to detail and décor brings a sense of luxury, augmented by an open state-of-the-art kitchen that literally glows as the heart of the restaurant bustling with activity, the focus of which is the open wood-flame grilling of prime dry -aged beef, the house specialty.

To preserve and retain The Rex on Montana Avenue, and all that its 100-plus year history, has meant to Billings, was the primary goal of Rick and Nicki Larson. Even though they are highly successful business owners, well-known for their business, EBMS, which they founded and built over the last 30-plus years, the only thing they knew about the restaurant business was how much they had enjoyed The Rex in the past, and how much they enjoy good food, good wine and spirits, with the comradery of good friends.

To be able to assure The Rex experience in the future for Billings is in a sense a giving back to the community, far more so than being a business venture. But to make sure the effort is successful they went in search of getting the expertise that will be needed. They found that in the manager and executive chef they hired.

Mitch Fox is the manager of Buffalo Block and Austin Stewart is the executive chef. Both are excited about being part of this new venture and about being in Billings, Montana. And, as far as being on the Larson team, “I feel like I won the lottery,” says Austin.

Although originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Austin comes to Billings by way of Sarasota, Florida. His wife had ties in Billings, having attended Rocky Mountain College and MSU-Billings. As a very experienced steakhouse chef, Austin’s vision for his culinary talents are very much in line with those of Rick Larson.

Buffalo Block features their own aged beef, from filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip, and wood-fired prime rib, as well as lobster tails, king crab legs, scallops, roasted chicken, and short ribs.

All beef is “prime beef” and is dry aged on premises, from 30 to 75 days—an expensive process that while edging up menu prices still squeezes the profit margin, explained Manager Mitch Fox, but noting that only about 3 percent of all processed beef qualifies as “prime” it’s well worth it. They purchase their beef from a Spokane processing company that draws most of its beef from Montana. To buy as much locally as possible is very much a part of their operation, said Mitch, pointing out that most of the refurbishing of the building has been done by local builders and crafts people.

Mitch’s experience comes from the management of restaurants in the ski areas of Colorado, which makes him well adapted for the Montana winters. But, nonetheless he enjoys sunny days and hopes there will still be a few such days yet this fall to allow the partial opening of the patio. Equipped with massive stationary umbrellas with LED lighting and heaters, the odds are good, they will be able to do so.

The completely rebuilt patio area provides seating for 96, which augments interior seating capacity of about 135, which includes about 85 in the formal dining room.

Mitch will be overseeing and training a staff of some 50 people.

A special feature of Buffalo Block will be the offering of 55 lockers which patrons may rent, in which to keep bottles of their favorite wines and spirits. Mitch said that he will go to great lengths to acquire whatever labels patrons want. They want to build Buffalo Block’s list of wines and liquor “into something special,” said Mitch. One of their features will be offer the purchase of customized flights (one ounce samples), as well as offering a hundred  labels on the “by the glass” wine list.

The restaurant hours will be from 11 am to closing. Open six days a week, closed on Sundays.

The Rex was built in 1910, with such notables as Buffalo Bill, Calamity Jane and Will James having contributed to its historic tale as a hotel, restaurant and bar that catered to the railroad passengers, cowboys and town folk, alike. Business slacked off in the 1960s and by 1975 the building faced almost certain demise, when at the last minute Senia Hart bought the building just to save it. It was brought back as a very popular restaurant and gathering place over the past 30 years by previous owner, Gene Burgad, who contributed to the revitalization of the entire historic district of Montana Avenue. The Rex Hotel building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Downtown Meeting to Put Public Safety at Forefront

18 October 2019
Evelyn Pyburn
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It’s been a year since Billings business people and property owners packed the house at a public meeting about what can be done to address a growing problem in the city regarding street dwellers, including homeless people, substance abusers, vagrants, and partiers, who overstay their welcome.

Since then, while there have been some steps forward in dealing with the problem, there’s more that must be done, and the Billings Chamber of Commerce has put it on the forefront of programs for the coming year. “Public Safety issues have been identified by our business community as a priority that needs to be addressed. From Downtown to the West End, the Heights and Southside, public safety issues exist throughout Billings,” declares the Chamber.”

“People were appreciative of having been able to connect with each other,” said Daniel Brooks, Business Advocacy Manager for the Chamber. To facilitate continued dialogue and networking, the Chamber is helping to host another public discussion on October 2, from 8 – 10 am at the Northern Hotel. To RSVP go to https://forms.gle/o1vkzVLDgFtesio49.

“To get to know our neighbors is important,” said Mike Nelson, owner /manager of the Northern Hotel, who is one of the business people in downtown Billings leading the charge.

Nelson announced the community meeting at the Big Sky Economic Development (BSED) executive board meeting last week. BSED Executive Director Steve Arveschoug said that BSED wants to be supportive of the effort.

Emphasizing the importance of the initiative, Mike Seppala, Western Security Bank, said that the economic vitality of the downtown depends upon it. “If nothing is done,” he said, the area will be “extremely compromised. People aren’t willing to go downtown already.”

Among the solutions that have been proposed is to increase the presence of police. The city council is currently contemplating an increase in mill levies to provide more public safety funding. But, says Brooks, “a public safety levy is only a part of the solution. Businesses really want to take charge and take some action steps.” The goal is to find ways to empower businesses.

The problem with focusing just on police intervention is that there is no room in the jail. Among other possible solutions is to curb the sale of “single serve” cans of high alcohol content products. “We have talked with a couple of businesses in corridor,” who are willing to make that change, he said.

“Businesses are ready to take responsibility for their neighborhoods by forming business-to-business small groups that watch out for each other, and hold businesses who enable criminal mischief accountable,” reads the announcement sent to members by the Chamber.

Businesses are also ready to make investments in their properties as recommend by the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which was the focus of last year’s public meeting. certified, creating a deterrence to crime.

The CPTED strategy is that of cleaning up areas, trimming vegetation, improving lighting and improving visual aspects of areas as a means to deter vagrancy or criminal activity in any area.  A number of local leaders, including Brooks, are taking advantage of the CPTED program training to become certified to identify problems and to recommend solutions.

Lil Market Opens Downtown

15 September 2019
Press Room
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Lil Market has opened in downtown Billings at 207 N. Broadway. The business of Larry Mathew, the store will provide the essentials of a grocery store that is lacking in the center of the city. Mathew is also owner of Mr. Thrifty.

A grand opening was held last week. Lil’ Market Groceries will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and closed Sundays.