Havre Beneath the Streets works on repairs

Work finally is underway to replace a section of one of Havre's top tourist attractions that has been shuttered since 2017.

A new sidewalk is being made by C/T Smith Enterprises of Havre to replace the sidewalk on the 100 Block of Second Street, next to the Eagles Club, that started leaking through glass prisms that had let light through into the basements and steam tunnels in the early days of Havre.

Havre Beneath the Streets had to close some of its exhibits and had been seeking funding ever since.

Havre Beneath the Streets Office Manager Christy Owens said the work is all local, with C/T Smith Enterprises doing the work, the concrete coming from HI-Line Concrete Pumping and Pasco Ready Mix LLC, the wood from Builder's Choice in Havre and Havre's Pacific Steel and Recycling providing the steel.

Owens said she has been anticipating the repair of the vault beneath Second Avenue for years now. Failure to obtain a grant shortly after the damage occurred, the unpredictable weather, COVID and economical inflation has caused many delays along the way.

A chunk of the funding for this project has come from The Montana Historic Preservation Grant, which was applied for back in 2022. Havre Beneath the Streets applied for the grant in 2018, but was not selected.

Owens thanked the community and neighboring businesses for "being patient with us, it's a process. We're just excited to be here. In 2017, there was a lot of disbelief that we would actually be to this point and breaking ground."

In 2017, the deterioration of the area had become so significant that engineers and contractors were brought in to look it over and give bids. Tours also stopped allowing access to the area during that year.

Following the inspection, there was major structural issues discovered, and the money raising process began. Fundraising events were held, starting in 2019 with The Roaring 20's. The 2020 fundraiser came to a halt due to COVID restrictions, but the fundraisers have since seen more successful events in the following years.

The cost of the project has doubled since it was first planned. It was estimated at $200,000 in 2017, but in 2023 it was estimated at $400,000.

During 2023, Owens went to a state legislative session in Helena to give her testimony regarding "the importance of Havre Beneath the Streets and why we felt we should be awarded this grant and saving our history," Owen said.

"Another thing I want to emphasize is look out for our neighbors that are being affected by this as well. Parker's BBQ Pit has a lot of parking spaces around the area," Owens said, "Havre Eagle's Club has lost a lot of their parking while we are getting this done... be thinking about our neighbors and take the time to park walk a little further away, visit them and get a peek at our project."

The goal to finish the structure is hopeful by the end of September, and weather permitting and depending on the help, the final project is estimated to be done and available to the public to view by next summer.

There may be a need for extra volunteer help with decorations and installations of shelving, so "we may put a call out to the community when we are ready to move stuff over," Owens said.

Owens wants to also remind the community that Havre Beneath the Streets is still open for tours, regardless of the construction.