Hundreds See if Old Fort Missoula Hospital Can be Saved
While the future of the Old Post Hospital at Fort Missoula remains unsettled at this point, there's certainly a growing interest in plans to renovate the vacant building.
It's estimated upwards of 300 people, or perhaps more, took advantage of a weekend opportunity to tour the building, and hear more about the controversial plans to add new development to the site, in addition to saving the building.
DVG Architecture and North of the Border, LLC are proposing a plan to "save" the hospital, which was originally constructed as part of Fort Missoula's military operations back in 1911. But developer Max Wolf, who bought the property in 2019, also wants to place 15 additional residential units on the surrounding property. And that has Fort Missoula proponents fighting the proposal.
Wolf led tours through the hospital
Saturday, Wolf and his team opened up the hospital building, and the adjacent grounds, so people could "see for themselves" how the historic structure is in need to repair and renovation. Wolf, who led multiple tour groups through the 3-story, "Spanish mission" style building, explained how the only way to finance the hospital's renovation is to add some small retail space and the adjacent small homes.
He explained one of the challenges currently has been keeping the building secure to prevent further damage from vandals breaking into the building, which is located on the southern edge of the Fort Missoula campus. Wolf also offered assurances that the plans are limited to the site and will "complement" the rest of the Fort Missoula campus.
But members of the "Save the Fort" group set up a table across the road to explain their opposition to the project, which they say would impact the historical aspect of the entire district.
Missoula's Historical Preservation Committee has already reviewed the plans during one meeting and will continue the review with a possible decision Wednesday night.