The Pub Station, located at 2502 1st Avenue North, opened in 2015 after the owners, 1111 Entertainment LLC, spent $600,000 to renovate and convert the former Greyhound Bus Station.  The Downtown Billings Partnership (DBP) approved a $43,019 grant to reimburse costs of fire alarm and fire suppression systems and exterior signage.  The owners want to expand the business into currently unoccupied parts of the building and plan to spend approximately $300,500 for that expansion.  They have applied for a $35,000 grant to reimburse them for the expenses of extending the fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems.  The agreement between the DBP and City requires that the City Council approve expenses greater than $50,000 and the combined first and second grant amounts exceed that threshold.  The DBP Board recommends that the City Council approve this grant request that will reimburse the Pub Station owners for life safety improvements when the business expands. 

City Council may approve or disapprove the grant or may request additional information before taking action.

The FY 2017 budget for development incentives in the downtown district is $2,141,000.  There is sufficient cash in the account to make this payment when requested by the owner, following completion of the planned improvements.

The Downtown Billings Partnership Board of Directors recommends that the City Council approve a $35,000 grant to 1111 Entertainment LLC for fire alarm and fire suppression improvements in the expanded Pub Station.