East downtown Billings will get a new brewery and taproom this year as that corner of the city continues to shed its rough-and-tumble industrial zone vibe and becomes a more commercial-friendly district.Ā
The business, 1889 Brewery, will be set up in an old automotive dent repair shopĀ at 204 N. 13th St. and will include a complete remodel and update to the building. The brewery is a block south of the Red Oxx store and adjacent to Mr. Thrifty.Ā
Crews will completely gut the interior of building to build out the brewery and taproom, which will include a large bar and seating for patrons and new bathrooms. Work to the outside of the building include faƧade improvements, a backdoor patio, new city sidewalks, landscaping, building lighting and signs.
To help with the exterior work, Billings City Council approved $40,837 in tax increment finance assistance for the project.
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The TIF help comes through east Billings' tax increment financing district, a special zone where some commercial property taxes are diverted into public/private urban renewal projects within the boundaries of the district.
"This is why we have TIF," said Mayor Bill Cole.Ā
TheĀ 1889 Brewery is located in the Billings Industrial Revitalization District (BIRD), which covers the city east of downtown and oversee the East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD) TIF.
The Red Oxx storefront and manufacturing facility, along with its small concert venue had TIF investment, as did a number of other new businesses in the area, Cole said.Ā
The development and success of those TIF-supported businesses help attract new businesses like 1889, he said.Ā
Michelle Harkins, with the BIRD, said the 1889 project received the TIF investment recommendation from her board because it meets the EBURD master plan, helping to spur economic growth in the district, new business development and infrastructure improvements.Ā
The entire brewery project will cost $300,664, funded by owners Matt and Lindsey Miller. TheĀ $40,837 in tax increment finance assistance will cover portions of the exterior work, which will come to the Millers as reimbursements for the work once its completed.Ā
"We're really excited to get started," Lindsey Miller said.Ā