Dillon projects sparking optimism

A new bank, new motel, the potential for a major tourist development and next summer a $6 million improvement project
to the main street — all of that spells progress in a big way for Dillon’s Mayor Marty Malesich

By Perry Backus of The Montana Standard

“There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic right now in Dillon,” said Malesich.
Work continues on a new motel in the Blacktail Subdivision. Plans call for tearing down the brick building that housed Petrolane
on North Montana Street to make way for a new bank. And a local developer has announced a tourist development that includes a
convention center on Dillon’s north end.

Work begins this summer on a new interagency tourism center at the end of Montana Street. The 5,000-square-foot log building
will be constructed entirely of local materials. It will be staffed by the chamber and various federal agencies. The development will
encompass a full two-block area, which is vacant, and calls for adding parking for 37 vehicles and five recreational vehicles and
buses.

Talks are under way to tear down a building at Montana and Helena streets this summer that will add much-needed parking for the
downtown area.
On top of that, Malesich said the state plans to rebuild the portion of Montana Street through town that doubles as state Highway
41. That work should begin next spring and Malesich is hoping to find a way to repave the remainder of the Montana Street
through downtown.

“We’re looking for ways to get some paving done throughout town,’’ he said.
Malesich is looking at infrastructure improvements over the next couple of years to piggyback on the state’s proposal to widen
Montana Street, including curbs, storm sewer and sidewalks.
“They are going to completely redo the street,” he said. “It’s going to change the whole look of the town.”

At the same time, Malesich said the city plans to add a major sewer and water line on Noble Street on the northeast end of town.
“We’re planning on future development,” he said. “That’s probably where much of that will probably happen.”
George Warner, a councilman and past mayor, said Dillon people should think about what the upcoming change might mean for
their businesses and futures.

“Unless our local people start investing in our community, they are going to be replaced by out-of-town people who are going to
come as the improvements are made,” Warner predicted.

A cleanup effort starts Monday: From April 28 through May 4 — Pride Week — the city will pick up bags of garbage gathered by
volunteers, said Malesich. The bags will be picked up on Monday, May 5, after the volunteers deposit them curbside.
Malesich said it’s easy to get excited about changes.

“There is a certain faction of people in Dillon who want this town to stay the same,” said Malesich. “There are also people who are
more progressive … I think we’re going to need to grow to be able to survive. We need to invest in our infrastructure for this city
to be able to grow.”

“This town and area have so many assets. It’s really the last, best place in Montana,” Malesich said.

http://www.mtstandard.com/dillon/dillon1.html
Reporter Perry Backus may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].