Bilile property fate undecided
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RONAN — Ronan’s city council has had a few suggestions from townspeople regarding what should be done with the new city property located at the northeast corner of Main Street and Third Avenue, but is asking for more input on the matter.
Commonly referred to as the “Bilile property” the corner was donated to the town by businessman Ray Bilile in April.
In an Oct. 6 meeting City Councilmember Roger Romero said he backed suggestions made by City Clerk Kaylene Melton to consider building a new town hall and police department on the property.
The current town hall is a multipurpose space shared with the Ronan Housing Authority. Showers, loud music, and other activities of tenants living upstairs can often be heard by people conducting business at city hall.
Parts of the building are also in need of major repairs. Municipal Judge Justin Bartel requested updates to his courtroom a year ago because he said it doesn’t meet requirements for Montana Courtrooms to be places “of dignity.” Thirteen months later, there is still a gaping hole in the courtroom roof that leaks water.
Romero said he would like to see the city move toward building a new town hall, court, and police department in the next couple of years.
Other council members had different suggestions.
“We’re in desperate need of a fire hall,” Councilmember Robert McCrea said. “I just don’t think it is quite enough room for expansion if we wanted to. That’s my only concern. I’d rather go bigger and have more room eventually.”
Mayor Kim Aipperspach said the Ronan Beautification Committee also has ideas for the property that have not yet been submitted to city council.
Currently, people use the space for parking, Aipperspach said.
The Ronan City Housing Authority is working to find monies for asbestos removal that would clear the way to destroy the building on the eastern side of the property, Public Works Director Dan Miller said.
“We’ll tear it down and we’ll probably raise the lot up,” Miller said.
The council’s property committee will likely meet soon to discuss options for the property, Aipperspach said.
The committee consists of McCrea, Ellen Kaphammer and Chris Adler.
