Bozeman Build Report #8

Yellowstone lot rent, renovating Wells and Ace, A to B (Amazon to Belgrade), and Twin Bridges losing a bridge.

Author

Daniel Zavadil
April 15, 2024

Howdy builders and movers of Bozeman, Big Sky, and Montana!

Today we are surfacing public easements, real estate prices surrounding Yellowstone NP, Bozeman remodels, a new Amazon center, state wide building news, and raging commodities. Enjoy the next 5 minutes of some blue collar bs.

Super happy to have ya back here at the Bozeman Build where we strive to puzzle together the greasiest content of Gallatin County and Montana.

Keep the saw sharp or buy a new one,

PS. Critical feedback is my love language - feel free to respond with ideas, photos, jobsite stories, or tell me about the cool projects your working on!

PSS. Happy Tax Day April 15th 2024

Two lonely spec houses located in S. Bozeman soon to make new friends.

When, what, and who is the Bozeman Build? The BB is a 1x/week free email newsletter delivered every Monday morning focused on mountain West trades with an emphasis on Montana. The author is Daniel who has a passion for the local building scene, works as a part time contractor, and owns a small construction information business called Block Biome. We appreciate your time!

Table of Contents

Bozeman Trade Pulse

Easement Abuse

Who dare vandalize thy equipment! Martel Construction (the most respected construction company in Bozeman tackling projects since 1960 landing contracts from the construction of the Washington Grizzly Stadium, Bozeman Airport, Mystic Lake flow line to modern day everything. Martel has been beyond kind to the community over the years allowing pedestrians and trail goers to cross their land to access the greater Bozeman Trail system, please keep it this way and respect those who allow easements.

Martel’s gate sign at the termination of Wilson St

Yellowstone Effect

Prices as of April 1, 2024 sourced from Zillow listings.

Bozeman Remodels

Wells Fargo what the

Apparently it only took the contracting crew 2 weekends to complete this renovation flip at the downtown Bozeman Wells Fargo. I walked in looked around and had to double take to ensure I was at the right bank.

Ace Hardware downtown remodel

According to a front desk employee, Ace Hardware started a ceiling space remodel appx 2 months ago around the late January timeframe axing the old drop ceiling (old trusses will now be exposed), upgrading the HVAC, lighting, and updating the sprinkler system. Also, this Ace location used to be three different store fronts (2 walls needed to be knocked down at some point way back). The targeted completion is mid-Late April, please note this remodel does not affect business operations or hours. Thank you Ace for being the friendly place (Kenyon we love you too).

Town and Country 19th street move

T&C off 19th closed their doors March 30th, 2024 after operating in this location for over 30 years. I spoke with a few contractors and employees moving stuff around insighting that this will become office space (don’t quote me on that). The good news for T&C is that they are doing just fine and that their current store off 11th remains open and they have plans to build a new facility in Ferguson Farms which is scheduled to open mid April.

Other SW MT Happenings

MSU Rodeo buy dirt

SIME Construction was contracted to bring in and haul out appx 1,000 yards of top soil for the 2024 MSU Spring Rodeo that took place this last Week. SIME had 6 trucks and two flagmen blocking off the intersection of Kagy and 7th so the dump trucks didn’t have to sit/wait/stop/go. Of course, I happened to capture some footage.

Flying D flames

Too early for a smoke? USFS was doing a prescribed burn at Flying D Ranch last Thursday 04/11. Canada your off the hook.

Amazon center abomination

Do we point fingers at Costner or Bezos? Between Jackrabbit and Cameron Bridge near Frank Road - Amazon plans to build a 53,000 square foot distribution center along with a grocery store. Just in the first three months of 2024, the city of Belgrade has issued 115 new single-family building permits and seven new commercial building permits.

At this rate, we might as well extend the new metropolitan 65mph all the way through to Three Forks (kidding please don’t do that). The South Park Studios video below is the ultimate paradox of the new Amazon plans.

Bamboo Garden sign

For the pandas I was talking with a Super Intendent with Arco Murray Design Build who is working on the condo project being constructed on the lot once owned by Lisa and John Tang owners of Bamboo Garden off 5th and Main. The Super Intendent mentioned that the bamboo garden sign (that was presented on West Main for over 19 years) is for grabs (to someone willing to donate to an agreed upon local non profit). If you want the sign and are willing to donate, i’d be happy to put you in touch with the sign holder.

Greater Treasure State happenings

+Hotel Fire - There was a Hotel fire in Kalispell last Wednesday 04/10 probably from the guy who cooks meals using hotel irons and coffee-makers

+What the Hal - A new Indian food (Halal) market opened in Missoula recently

+Zootown Hardware - A new hardware and garden store will open at Southgate Mall in April of 2024 (Missoula)

+Single Bridges - Highway 41 between Twin Bridges and Dillon is closed after a failed bridge inspection. MDT says the bridge will be closed till August

+General Consensus - Montanan’s are not looking forward to paying property taxes this year

+Berkeley Pit Revival - A Montana legislative committee unanimously voted Wednesday to petition the U.S. Congress to support efforts to pull rare earth elements from the Berkeley Pit in Butte

USA Trade Pulse

Meta (formally Facebook) has a partnership with Tulsa Welding School to train welding students via the oculus headset. I think that’s a joke, change my mind. - Tulsa Welding School

Bozeman Builds Construction Dive picks

Our picks from Construction Dives articles written April 7th-12th

Commodities

TTF & UK Gas - Up 15-16% week over week driven by fears of attacks on Ukrainian gas storage facilities and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Silver - is up 12% this month over month

Cocoa continues to climb reaching values over $10,000/ton

Tin - gained 10.6%week over week up nearly 32% year over year. Tin futures soared to nearly $30,000 per tonne for the first time in 15 months

Roughneck History Weekly

Helena Capital

Helena Capitol, c 1900-1910 from reddit /Montana

According to gpstberg29 from Reddit… The legislature set up the Montana Board of Capitol Commissioners and they held an architectural design competition in 1896. George R. Mann was selected as the winner and things looked good until it was found out the Commission was going to bilk the project of its money.

So they set up a second commission and scrapped Mann's plans...which would actually form the basis for the Arkansas state capitol. Then Charles Emlen Bell and John Hackett Kent were chosen to design the building.

Although dismissing Mann’s earlier plans as too costly, the legislature still appropriated $300,000 for the construction of Bell and Kent’s capitol, which would be paid for with thirty-year bonds totaling $350,000. Work began in 1899 when the cornerstone was laid on the Fourth of July on land donated by wealthy real estate men. It was pretty much done by 1902.

The building was expanded to its current state in 1909 when New York architect Frank Andrews was hired to add the two wings. Of course, problem arose. Mostly it was the stone. The original sandstone was hard to come by at that point due to the quarry location. So they proposed using Indiana stone. Someone in the legislature came to their senses and appropriated money to use Montana stone.

Jobsite song and relevant quote of the Week

Mother by Danzig

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love.

Sitting Bull

Thanks for reading,

Daniel - IW Idiot Writer (IW) who knows nothing about building or markets. This is not financial or construction advice.

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