State of Montana Newsroom
Construction begins on Montana Heritage Center
Improved parking and ADA access to Fish, Wildlife and Parks slated first
CONTACTS:
Amber Conger, Communications Director, Department of Administration - 406-444-5764
Eve Byron, Public Information Officer, Montana Historical Society - 406-444-6843
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 24, 2020
Construction begins on Montana Heritage Center
Improved parking and ADA access to Fish, Wildlife and Parks slated first
MONTANA – Construction is set to begin on the Montana Heritage Center project. The block of 6th Avenue between North Roberts Street and North Sanders Street will permanently close on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 so that construction work can begin.
This street closure will allow Sletten Construction to begin work on improved parking and ADA access to the Fish, Wildlife and Parks building. The completed Heritage Center project will add an additional 92 parking spots on the Capitol campus, as well as create four dedicated RV/trailer spots, which did not previously exist.
This change will affect travel patterns in the area. Directional signage will be posted around the construction site, but please plan accordingly for alternative routes.
A map depicting access to FWP and the surrounding area during construction has been posted on the project website: montanamuseum.org/build. Construction will also begin on utilities and foundation preparation and continue throughout the winter.
In May 2020, the City of Helena voted to approve the closure of this block to allow the new Heritage Center to connect to the existing Montana Historical Society building. During the process of selecting the site for the new center, it became clear that connecting the existing Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building to the new Heritage Center would save money in construction and operations, increase parking, and create a better experience for visitors.
A new entrance and café plaza will connect the two buildings. The interior spaces of the Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, will be renovated, but the exterior will not be altered. The Building Committee and the project architects, Cushing Terrell, have been working to ensure the addition will both complement and honor this historic building.
Learn more about the design inspiration and plans at montanamuseum.org/design.
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