Billings, Montana – The Downtown Billings Alliance is at the forefront of a major transformation aimed at addressing the housing shortage in the city’s core. Katy Easton, the Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the critical need for housing in downtown Billings, a trend mirrored in urban areas across the country. “We could add 1,000 housing units right now if we could just snap our fingers and have the units be on the market, and that would just start to meet the need and demand for the people who want to live downtown,” Easton said, underlining the urgency of the situation.
The board of the Downtown Billings Alliance has been diligently working to support housing projects over the past few years. One such project is the transformation of the old Billings Hardware building. Preserving its historical exterior, the building will be renovated to accommodate 27 modern apartments, with a target completion date set for the summer of 2025.
Another ambitious project is the development of Futurity Towers on the site of the former antique shop YesterYears, scheduled to start in early 2025. This change is a bittersweet moment for neighboring businesses like Zest, a kitchenware retailer. Zest’s owner, Marguerite Jodry, expressed both nostalgia and optimism: “Purchased our building with the idea that we wanted to be in Downtown Billings Forever, but in order to have a successful business downtown we need to see downtown continue to grow and one of the most important ways that downtown is growing is through housing.”
Adjacent to Zest, a 12-story high-rise is planned, which Jodry acknowledges will bring challenges during construction but ultimately benefit the area.
Construction has already commenced on Old Town Flats, located at N. 23rd Street and 1st Avenue North. This building is expected to offer 36 apartments by this summer, with an additional 36 units in phase two of the development. Furthermore, the Lincoln Apartments, a remodel of the former Montana Rescue Mission’s women and children’s shelter, has already started housing tenants in its first remodeled rooms.
Easton emphasizes that these efforts are part of a broader vision to invigorate downtown Billings. “Every piece of work that we do is geared to bring people downtown to make downtown a place that is vibrant and welcoming, someplace that people want to be,” she said. This vision extends beyond just housing; it encompasses public safety and community well-being. By addressing the housing shortage, the Alliance believes it can make a significant impact on overall public safety and contribute to the vitality of downtown Billings.
The Alliance’s initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach to urban development, recognizing that housing is a pivotal factor in creating a lively, safe, and sustainable downtown environment. As these projects progress, they are set to transform the landscape of downtown Billings, making it a more desirable place to live, work, and play.
