An older building on the corner of Grand and Main Street in Bozeman finished their renovations in late October and is once again open for business. The building, known as the Dutton Building, sits near the entrance into Bozeman and will help add more visual appeal to Bozeman’s downtown.The building had housed several restaurants over the past few years. After a few of them went out of business, the owners took the opportunity to tear down and renovate 2/3 of the building while adding a second floor.The City Beautification Advisory Board bestowed and award on the building for its appearance and fit into Bozeman’s downtown atmosphere while the Downtown Bozeman Partnership said the building helps create a new visual entrance into town.Renovation on the building was all privately funded. Bu... 11/20/2015

After nearly a year of discussion and research from residents, consultants and builders alike, and after a voted delay in September, the Bozeman City Commission decided to move forward with a two-stage plan to help lower home values in Bozeman.  The plan, ideally, will help Bozemanites with modest means better afford to buy homes within the city limits.Although the areas surrounding Bozeman have more reasonable home and rent values and although Bozeman’s cost of living is not outrageously above national averages, the city made it clear, by their decision, that they want Bozeman itself to remain a diverse and affordable place to live. Opponents to the plan did not want to hamper down a recently recovered housing market. Builders, who require on average 22 subcontractors to build a home, ... 11/19/2015

If anyone needed additional proof of Bozeman’s growth and the growth of its schools, October’s official enrollment count from the Bozeman School District showcased that growth in the last few years.Since 2009, Bozeman schools have risen from an enrollment of 5,481 students to 6,505 students today—representing more than 1,000 additional students.Year over year, 211 more students are enrolled in Bozeman schools than in 2014.The headcounts set records in eight elementary schools and both middle schools. Bozeman middle schools gained 97 students, up 7% from last year, while Bozeman elementary schools have gained 91 students, up 3% from last year.Luckily, Bozeman voters approved two bonds in the November 2015 elections to expand Hawthorne Elementary School and Sacajawea Middle School.Bozeman... 11/17/2015

A study commissioned by the City of Bozeman in April has concluded that the city should reconsider the intensity of its regulations in its Conservation Overlay District. Downtown residents within the district, currently have to apply for a certificate of appropriateness before being allowed to make exterior modifications to any properties. The study concluded that although district regulations had helped preserve historic buildings in the area, it was also a major contributor to the lack of infill development in the city, keeping home inventory low and affecting home affordability in Bozeman.According to the study, there are not any detached, single-family homes in the conservation district  that are affordable to residents making 80% or less of the city’s median income. The study belie... 11/13/2015

The Bozeman School district received great news from the Bozeman community on November 3rd, when voters passed 21.5 million dollars worth of bonds to expand both the Hawthorne Elementary School and Sacajawea Middle School.Now, district officials can turn their sites towards a second high school in Bozeman.As Bozeman grows, the community will need to continue funding the schools to help them address the rising student population and keep Bozeman the wonderful community that has attracted so many new residents. Source:http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/story/30436025/bozeman-voters-pass-215-million-worth-of-school-bonds  11/13/2015

After flirting with eminent domain for the second time in a year, this time, commissioners approved and will move forward with plans to use eminent domain to acquire an easement at the corner of Davis and Baxter Lanes.The city has been trying to widen the two roads and add crosswalks and signals to the intersection. More often than not, owners adjacent to these streets would lose part of their land to the road expansion. Usually, the city and property owners can strike a deal in payment for land, but sometimes owners do not want to give up a piece of their property.Eminent domain is when a government body forcibly purchases private land from an individual for the overall benefit of the public.In this case, the owner’s of a 5 acre parcel at 5001 E Baxter Lane, did not want to sell 19,000... 11/12/2015

The Ever-Evolving Character of Bozeman, MTPrior to last week, when the warm tone of fall abruptly ended and snow began reshaping the character of the Bozeman countryside... ...you'd see dry-land skiers--carving shapes--moving smoothly from side to side along quiet country roads, reshaping their legs to take on the nordic and downhill ski season they knew was fast approaching.Regardless of the season, Bozeman, Montana is always being re-shaped by its inhabitants. From wealthy retirees and young urbanites to golfers and ski bums, buyers are investigating Bozeman luxury homes, condos, downtown properties, even building lots, looking for ways to become a part of Bozeman.The interest for this diverse range of properties reflects the diverse range of people exploring southwest Montana, with i... 11/06/2015

 There were 69 homes sold within Bozeman city limits during the month of October, 19% lower than the previous month. 70% of those homes sold were single family homes, 23% were condos and 7% were townhomes.The average sale price of a home (single family, condo and townhomes) in Bozeman decreased 4% from the previous month to $283,457. The average sale price of a single family home during the month of October was $369,818 – 13% lower than the previous month. The average sale price of a condo in Bozeman increased from $222,236 in September to $246,803 in October and the average sale price of a townhome decreased 3% from the previous month to $233,750......READ MORE 11/05/2015

The hippest, most happening place in Downtown Bozeman this summer just happens to be a hotel aptly named “The Lark.” Schlauch Uhlmann Platinum Properties’ clients are loving their stays in one of the 38 available rooms outfitted with local art, a modern take on the 60s era, and a Vintage Spartan Airstream Trailer permanently installed in the plaza-like parking lot serving up ice cream, coffee, sandwiches, and huge tasty tacos.The Lark is locally owned, with Think Tank Design brilliantly displaying how dated buildings seemingly past their use (i.e. the former Imperial Hotel) can be reborn to capture the zest and energy of Bozeman. They’ve managed to create “Great Room” atmosphere at the entrance’s open-air patio. There’s a lot going on between people gathering, comfortable seating, a woo... 11/04/2015

Summer is nearly as hot as the Bozeman real estate market. If you looking to buy or sell a single family home in Bozeman MLS Areas 1 & 2 in the $500,000 to $750,000 range it is smoking hot. 74 homes have closed between $500,000 to $750,000, with another 33 pending, for a total of 107 properties compared to 20 at the end of the 1st Quarter 2015. Closed transactions are averaging 135 Days on Market (DOM). Even though inventories in this price point have increased to 86 listings compared to 61 at the end of the 1st Quarter, it is difficult to find homes meeting buyers’ wish lists, with new homes coming on the market frequently selling in their first week of  listing. Schlauch Uhlmann Platinum Properties (SU Platinum Properties) specializes in single family homes priced $500,000 and above,... 11/04/2015

This year has begun fast and furious, with buyers seeking million dollar-plus homes circling in and out of Bozeman, most on their first round of touring property here. We have noted there is an evolution in the thinking of today’s buyers. Like previous buyers, they have done a good deal of internet research and have worked extensively with their agent prior to arriving here. What sets them apart is that they are not expecting “bargains” due to an economic downturn, but rather are insisting on “value”. Pricing is now more important than ever before. The buyers know the comparable pricing per-square-foot for homes in Bozeman and elsewhere in the country. They know what the price per-square-foot should translate into for quality, finishes, acreage, location, view shed, etc. It is, in many... 11/04/2015

What is it like to retire in Bozeman, Montana?  According to Time, US News, Top Retirements and Market Watch, among others, Bozeman, Montana is one of the best places in the nation to spend your retirement years. For Dave a retired architect, moving to Montana was a major decision after spending his entire life living just outside Chicago. But it wasn’t a hard one. While one might expect that transition to be difficult, Dave was surprised to find that it was in fact the opposite. His days quickly changed from traffic jams and smog to fresh air and freedom. Initially he was stunned at the friendliness of all the people he encountered. “From the mail man to the neighbors to the man I met at the gas station, everyone has been welcoming, kind and inviting. I feel like I’m part of a real com... 11/03/2015

 According to the website Housing Predictor, Bozeman Montana real estate is another important area of the overall Montana housing market.The median Bozeman homes value (not median price) in Bozeman, according to Zillow Bozeman real estate data, is approximately $287,200, which comes in higher than in Missoula, Montana.This median Bozeman home value has risen by 4.0% during 2015, but there are no current housing market predictions for how this value may change in 2016.The Bozeman real estate market is very healthy, with only 0.6% delinquent mortgages, compared to the national average of 6.0%.Also, Bozeman rents are significant, with a median rental rate of $1,455 for the city and $1,430 for the Bozeman Metro area, both rental rates higher than the US national average of $1,381.Informatio... 10/27/2015

Bozeman and neighboring towns within the greater Bozeman district have outpaced all other Montana cities in utility hook up orders in 2015. As new utility hook ups are one of the best ways to measure a town’s growth, its clear the Gallatin Valley is attracting new residents.The data was taken from a report measuring electric and gas connections from 2013 through this year. Utility hook ups have increased year-over-year since 2013. Bozeman outpaced Butte and Helena with approximately 1,000 new electric connections in 2015. Billings only had around half the number of connections made. There have also been 600 gas hook ups so far this year, compared to 400 in 2013.Bozeman and the greater area are in a construction boom and have been for a few years now.Interestingly, construction growth re... 10/23/2015

The final plat of Valley West Subdivision’s final phase was approved on October 5th, allowing development to begin on Bozeman’s west side. The Lakes at Valley West, as the final phase is called, has been under formal review for the past year. Now with approval, it will bring approximately 60 homes and 2 lakes to the already thriving subdivision.Valley West has been one of the fastest growing and most active subdivisions in Bozeman. The final phase will help provide amenities to the current neighborhood while also increasing home inventory in the Bozeman area.Bozeman, like the United States overall, has dealt with rising values and a very competitive rental market. Across the nation, builders have been trying to increase home inventory to help alleviate rising home values. With both rent... 10/21/2015

With initial plans being submitted to the City Planning office for a new YMCA community center, it appears the project only needs to secure funding in order to move forward with plans.The building, designed to be 20,000 square feet, will be approximately a 6 million dollar project, slightly up from March projections of 5.5 Million dollars. In March, the Gallatin Valley YMCA had raised 2.5 million for the project. Now, they have secured $300,000 in additional donations and are 1.2 million short of the 4 million needed to move forward on the project. The 4 million dollars would be used to secure construction financing while also being used to seek grant support from other foundations.Initially, the YMCA had plans to team up with the City of Bozeman to also include a new aquatics center fo... 10/20/2015

At the end of September, Bozeman and County Commissioners agreed to hire an architect to design the new law and justice center for the local area. The effort would be a shared joint effort between county and city governments, necessitated from the overall costs of such a project. Hiring an architect shows each government’s resolve to get the project approved and underway in Bozeman.Both commissions approved unanimously to hire ThinkOne architects to submit building designs by the end of June 2016. Hiring an architect is just the first stage however, as the multi-million dollar construction bond that funds the project will be put up for voter approval in November of 2016.Due to the high level of uncertainty in Bozeman’s construction market, ThinkOne Architects has been asked to submit 30... 10/19/2015

For the second year in a row, the Bozeman School District has grown to its largest size in its history. Last year, enrollment hit 6,294 people but this year, enrollment has grown by more than 200 students and has now reached more than 6,500 students. In spring, administrators had estimated a 170 student addition.Now, a record 2,000 students will attend Bozeman High School. 1,470 middle schoolers are now between Chief Joseph and Sacajawea Middle School. And nearly 3,045 elementary students will be spread across Bozeman’s Elementary schools.In light of the growing enrollment, Bozeman will ask voters to approve bonds to expand Sacajawea Middle School and expanding Hawthorne Elementary School. That vote will occur November 3rd, 2015.The Bozeman School District has also started planning for ... 10/16/2015

The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport surpassed 1 million total passengers over a 12 month period. From September 2014 to 2015, 1,000,483 passengers either boarded or exited a plane in Bozeman.The airport saw a 4.4% increase compared to September 2013 to 2014 numbers.In 2014, Bozeman had the busiest Montana airport, despite not having the highest population. The proximity of nearby attractions has really helped boost Bozeman’s tourism and economy.In order to better host their rising totals, the airport has drafted plans to expand the airport in the next 5 to 10 years. The airport would like to add a second paved runway, expand the terminal, add a new parking garage and add a new de-icing area.The airport and Bozeman both help each other and grow with each other. The airport attr... 10/13/2015

This month, I wanted to highlight an investment Bozeman made in 1993 that now seems to have impacted Bozeman’s economic outlook for the better. We never know where our hard work might pay off down the line and how it might change Bozeman’s future.I read a great article this month by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle about the growth of Optics Technology in Bozeman. The optics industry works with lasers, high tech cameras and other similar technologies to create better products, medicines etc.  In 1993, the first real investment into Optics Technology in Bozeman was made. Local companies, the State of Montana, MSU, and the National Science Foundation teamed up to raise 3 million in optics research in Bozeman. By 1995, MSU had its own Optics Technology Center.Since then, MSU has had 15 spinoff ... 10/09/2015