Stimulus Money Set Aside to Build New Courthouse in Montana

The Associated Press has reported that nearly $80 million of stimulus money is currently expected to be set aside for the building and maintenance of a federal courthouse in downtown Billings, Montana.

According to Senator Max Baucus, D-Mont., the General Services Administration, which is in charge of constructing and operating federal buildings, has set aside $79,989,000 for the federal courthouse project. The stimulus money is in addition to the $880 million in federal stimulus funds that Montana will receive. Senator Baucus made this announcement on Tuesday.

The new courthouse will replace the old James F. Battin Federal Courthouse. The James F. Battin courthouse has asbestos problems. It has not yet been decided what the fate of the old courthouse will be. It may be torn down or sold.

It has not yet been made clear if any of the $80 million will be used to renovate or demolish the old courthouse, or if any of the funds can be used towards asbestos abatement. Asbestos abatement is often one of the most costly parts of any renovation or demolition project.

An earlier plan had General Services Administration leasing the courthouse for 20 years from a private owner. Now, the General Services Administration will own the land and the building, and will not pay any property taxes.

The new courthouse is a $25 million construction project. A spokesman for Senator Baucus stated he expects the rest of the money will be used on maintenance and operations.

Exposure to asbestos - even in small amounts - may lead to development of an asbestos-related illness, such as lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma, or asbestosis. Following initial exposure, it could be as many as fifty years before an individual begins experiencing symptoms of an asbestos disease, and once diagnosed, they typically survive for less than two years.