John Engen Local Government Building

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Looking up at the federal building

Project Summary

The City of Missoula and Missoula County received title to the Federal Building on January 5, 2023. The historic Federal Building at 200 E. Broadway, is one of Missoula’s most important landmarks and a critical part of Missoula’s Downtown. Missoula received the property at no cost, in exchange for a commitment to maintain the building as a National Historic Monument.

On November 6, 2023, Mayor Jordan Hess and County Commissioners Juanita Vero, Dave Strohmaier, and Josh Slotnick officially renamed the former federal building as the John Engen Local Government Building. The City and County plan to rehabilitate the

Project Summary

The City of Missoula and Missoula County received title to the Federal Building on January 5, 2023. The historic Federal Building at 200 E. Broadway, is one of Missoula’s most important landmarks and a critical part of Missoula’s Downtown. Missoula received the property at no cost, in exchange for a commitment to maintain the building as a National Historic Monument.

On November 6, 2023, Mayor Jordan Hess and County Commissioners Juanita Vero, Dave Strohmaier, and Josh Slotnick officially renamed the former federal building as the John Engen Local Government Building. The City and County plan to rehabilitate the Engen Building to provide a single central hub for public services. The project should simultaneously save and rehabilitate this invaluable building, enhance Downtown, and provide better service to the public.

City and County Collaboration

The City and County worked together to create the Missoula Local Government Building Special District to own the Engen Building. The Special District encompasses only the Engen Building property, and it is jointly administered by the City and the County. A staff presentation to City Council on December 5, 2022, summarized the purpose of the Special District and the process that led to ownership of the building.

Dollars and Cents

The City faces a critical space shortage that hampers its ability to best serve Missoulians. City Hall was last expanded in 1989, when the population of Missoula was only 43,000; today our population is 75,000. Additionally, many components of City Hall are nearing the end of their service life. As a result, the City is going to have to invest resources in its physical plant. The City has determined that rehabilitation of the building will be more cost effective than either trying to expand and improve City Hall or building a new City Hall from scratch, while also preserving an important Downtown landmark in perpetuity.

The City and County estimate that getting the Engen Building ready for reuse will cost $14 to $16 million. This first “backbone” phase of rehabilitation will include abatement of asbestos, replacement of obsolete systems such as heating, plumbing and electrical, sustainability investments, ADA access and other improvements necessary to make the building functional.

  • John Engen Local Government Building Dedicated

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    On November 6, Mayor Jordan Hess and County Commissioners Juanita Vero, Dave Strohmaier, and Josh Slotnick officially renamed the former federal building as the John Engen Local Government Building. John Engen served as Missoula's 50th mayor from January 2006 until August 2022. The City of Missoula and Missoula County issued a joint proclamation naming the building in honor of the late Mayor Engen in recognition of his unwavering dedication to the community. The City and County will preserve and maintain the historic building as a National Historic Monument. After renovation, the Engen Building will provide City and County services in a convenient, combined location.

  • Federal Building to be dedicated and named on November 6

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    Missoula County and the City of Missoula invite all Missoula County residents to the dedication and naming of the Missoula Federal Building at 200 E. Broadway on Monday, November 6, at noon at the northwest entrance to the building.

    The City of Missoula and Missoula County received the title to the Missoula Federal Building on Jan. 5 of this year at no cost in return for agreeing to preserve and maintain the historic building as a National Historic Monument. The building is undergoing renovation. In 2025 or later, the City and County will move public services into the building, creating a convenient, combined location.

    Mayor Jordan Hess and County Commissioner Josh Slotnick will lead the event on Monday, Nov. 6.

  • View & Comment on Environmental Cleanup of Federal Building

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    The City of Missoula and Missoula County hired a consultant to inventory hazardous materials in the former Federal building. The study found asbestos and lead-based paint. Cleanup will cost about $500,000. Both the report and the cleanup are fully funded by grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

    The report, an Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives, is available for review online. The County and City invite public comment on the proposed cleanup alternatives. The public can review, ask questions, and comment on the report here. The comment period is open until November 6.

    The former Federal building is vacant except for the Post Office. Asbestos and lead-based paint cleanup will be easier and less expensive while the building is vacant. The report recommends full asbestos abatement and moderate lead mitigation. Cleanup will begin this winter. After cleanup, the City and County will be able to start rehabilitating the historic building.

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  • City of Missoula, Missoula County take ownership of Missoula Federal Building

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    Leadership and staff of Missoula County and the City of Missoula are excited to announce that the local governments are the new owners of the historic Missoula Federal Building at 200 E. Broadway. The federal government conveyed ownership on January 5, at no cost to the City and County. The building is currently sound, and many of its beautiful historic architectural features and treatments are intact. The next step is to prepare the building for use. The City and County will hire a construction partner to finish the design phase for the building’s renovation. A very ballpark estimate for that phase is $14 to $16 million, which could change as planning and work move forward. Local government staff will not move into the building until 2025, at the earliest.

    Mayor Jordan Hess will be discussing and taking questions about the Federal Building at Wednesdays with the Mayor on January 25 at 6:00 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Missoula Public Library. This monthly event provides an opportunity for residents to have an informal chat with Mayor Hess on topics of interest to the community. Join us for coffee, cookies, and conversation on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

  • City and County Begin Designing Rehabilitation of the Federal Building

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    The Missoula City Council will consider a Memorandum of Agreement Wednesday, February 9, which would pave the way for designing rehabilitation of the Missoula Federal Building. The Interlocal Agreement creates a mechanism for the City and Missoula County to jointly oversee design and rehabilitation of the Federal Building and functionally launches the design phase.

    On February 22, the Board of County Commissioners will consider the same agreement.

  • City and County Consider Big Next Steps in Missoula Federal Building Acquisition

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    The Missoula City Council will consider a resolution on Wednesday, June 23, at 8:45 a.m. authorizing the mayor to take the necessary steps for City-County ownership of the Missoula Federal Building. Members of the Administration and Finance Committee will also consider a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the County to enable joint ownership of the Federal Building. City Council meetings are held virtually as well as televised. Participation information, agendas, and streaming information is available on our main website.

    The Missoula Board of County Commissioners will meet on Thursday, June 24, at 2 p.m. to consider the Memorandum of Understanding. Commissioners’ public meetings are now hybrid, with in-person and online options.

Page last updated: 09 Nov 2023, 10:06 AM