Great Falls - Historic Walking Tours

We pass these buildings many times, wondering what stories they hold. Next time you're downtown, on River Edge Trail, or the Railroad district, check out one of the historic walking trail brochures:

"The Central Business Historic District Walking Tour Brochure presents a sampling of the history and architecture of downtown Great Falls and celebrates a collaboration of business, tourism, history and the arts.  Ninety-nine buildings contribute to the history of the district, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2004."

"The River’s Edge History Tour provides a look at the pre-history and historical resources along the Missouri River corridor.  The approximately five mile section of the river will take about two hours if you are walking the River’s Edge Trail for the entire distance.  There are numerous access points along trail, and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, the Fish Wildlife & Parks Visitor Center and Giant Springs State Park also offer parking and other public facilities.  The history tour is great companion piece for the River’s Edge Trail Map."


 "In 1993, the Great Falls Railroad Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the nation’s resources considered worthy of preservation.  This brochure provides a stroll through the district that once served the bustling railroad freight and passenger business in Great Falls and Gibson Park, the city’s premier park."


 Excerpts from The City of Great Falls Historic Preservation Office website.



Spark Architecture

Merry Christmas (to you and the buildings in our Central Historic District)

Sneak Preview of our Christmas cards:

 Merry Christmas!

Invest locally, and bring even more life into Downtown Great Falls.

www.spark-architecture.com;
www.facebook.com/SparkArchitecture

Finding Synergies in Historic Downtown Development

Earlier this week I visited Randy Hafer with High Plains Architects  in Billings to discuss opportunities to encourage additional Historic Development Downtown. Randy could be called the Guru of Montana historic tax credit projects. Having completed over six certified Historic Tax Credit Rehabilitation projects in Billings alone, he has also been instrumental in  recent Great Falls feasibility studies. Randy is the architect for recent local projects including the Arvon Block development and the Rocky Mountain Building.

Randy stressed the point of "synergy". A successful redevelopment project needs partners to compliment each others assets. Depending on the project, that could include a motivated owner, one or more investors, knowledgeable development, accounting, design, and legal support, as well as a supportive community. Depending on the intended use, one or more businesses can be important drivers of the development's success. Randy stressed how residential space has been the most successful use in projects so far, but mentioned that one of his partners has been driving development by implementing dining opportunities in first floor spaces.

The map below shows a recent inventory of historic potential in our own downtown. Spark Architecture is currently organizing a "historic development opportunities" Open House on Feb. 1st 2013. The goal for that night is opening the doors to synergies between businesses, building owners, and potential investors, as well as providing basic information on the "How-to".