City owns historic ‘Big Red’ grain elevator; stabilization and structural study planned

Staff told the committee the city acquired the last remaining grain elevator in Belgrade (referred to as "Big Red") earlier this year and emphasized preservation and stabilization as the first steps. The building sits on roughly 3.5 acres and staff said it is structurally notable; the city intends to secure the building, commission a structural analysis and then pursue design charrettes with the community to explore reuse options.

Catherine said the Montana Department of Environmental Quality has agreed to provide, at no cost to the city, a phase 2 environmental site assessment, a structural analysis and a cleanup plan for the property. “They have already agreed to and we're just awaiting their subcontractors,” she said, noting the value of those services approaches six figures and would not be provided from TIF funds.