Historic brothel seeks urban revitalization loan

BUTTE (AP) — Officials in Butte are considering a $92,000 loan request and a grant of $8,750 to help refurbish a 42-room brothel in what was once the middle of the city's red light district.

The Urban Revitalization Agency has asked for more information about the plan that includes helping with outstanding debt for the Dumas Brothel, which now operates as a museum, The Montana Standard reported in a story Wednesday (http://bit.ly/1gX71Mn).

The Dumas Brothel on East Mercury Street was built specifically as a brothel in 1890 and is one of the few buildings still standing designed for that purpose. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places but has fallen into disrepair.

"It's open on a limited basis now for tours, and it's got so much history," said Butte-Silver Bow Community Development Director Karen Byrnes.

Butte residents Michael Piche and Travis Eskelsen bought the building in 2012 with plans to improve it.

"This place deserves respect and recognition," Piche said at the time of the purchase.

Consolidation of outstanding debt and masonry work is estimated at $127,000. When Piche and Eskelsen bought the building, its property taxes hadn't been paid for three years. That meant the building was in danger of reverting to the county or being purchased by another buyer who could have torn it down.

The Dumas Brothel ran until 1982, just before Butte's last madam, Ruby Garrett, went to prison for tax evasion. Garrett, who died in March 2012 at age 94, had refused to sell the Dumas unless it could be used as a brothel.

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