Preserve Historic Missoula has filed a lawsuit against the Missoula City Council to appeal the demolition of the historic Missoula Mercantile building. 

According to Missoula City Attorney Jim Nugent, the suit was filed in Missoula District Court on August 30.

The lawsuit states that on August 1, the Missoula City Council approved a partial demolition permit for the Missoula mercantile building. The Missoula municipal code allows an appeal of a final decision to district court within 30 days of the decision. Following the close of the hearing, the Board of Adjustment must take action on the appeal.

Preserve Historic Missoula asks the district court for an order staying the partial demolition of the Missoula Mercantile building pending resolution to this matter.

In early August, the Missoula City Council and HomeBase Montana, the Bozeman-based company that has purchased the Missoula Mercantile building, came to a compromise agreement over the future of the historic structure. HomeBase Montana spokesman Andy Halloran said, if all goes well, the $34 million project will include a Residence Inn and Suites by Marriott, as well as about 24,000 square feet of retail space for lease to local restaurants, retailers and businesses

City Attorney Jim Nugent had no comment on the lawsuit, and representatives from Preserve Historic Missoula have not yet returned a phone call from KGVO Radio News.

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