Two prospective buyers presented competing plans on Nov. 12 to purchase the Butte Business Development Center at 305 West Mercury, and the Butte‑Silver Bow Council of Commissioners voted to refer both proposals to the Community Development Department review committee for a recommendation.

Karen Burns, the county's community development director, told commissioners the RFP was advertised Aug. 23, Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 and that staff received two complete, responsive proposals at the advertised purchase price of $450,000. "Both were deemed complete and responsive," Burns said, and the department asked the council to refer the proposals to the review committee so staff could return with a recommendation.

Makayla (Mikaela) Hack, who proposed to operate Mountain Heart Media and run the BDC as a community‑focused coworking and incubator space, said her plan would preserve current tenants, add shared studio and workshop space and phase in modest rent increases to cover maintenance. "This project really is about creating a physical space that mirrors that same spirit, a place where collaboration can happen every day," Hack said, adding she has set aside $100,000 for immediate operating and maintenance needs.

Jeff Riggs and Keith Waring of Urban Miners Collective described their experience renovating Uptown Butte buildings — including the Thornton Building and the Elks Building — and said they would honor existing leases, address safety improvements immediately, and expand rentable office space to increase occupancy. Riggs said their ownership approach has returned previously nonprofit properties to the tax rolls and supported long‑term reinvestment.

Commissioner Thatcher moved to "refer these presentations and proposals back to the Community Development Department with a recommendation back to council." The motion was seconded, put to a vote and recorded by the clerk as 9 yes, 0 nay. The motion passed.

Why it matters: The BDC was acquired decades ago as a business incubator; community members and current tenants pressed for transparency about the sale process during public comment. Tenant Dan O'Neil told commissioners he received little written notice about the sale or an opportunity to bid and asked whether prior architectural and engineering assessments were disclosed in the RFP.

What happens next: Staff will reconvene the review committee, score proposals against the RFP matrix and return to the council with a recommendation and any negotiated purchase agreement. If the council later approves a sale, a resolution of sale will be brought to the council and will include public comment opportunities.

Quote: "We did create a matrix that scored them according to what was put into that RFP in the written document," Burns said, explaining the review process.

The council's referral preserves both proposals for further review; no final sale or contract was approved at the Nov. 12 meeting.