BILLINGS | Montana's big city - Page 2

giovanni sasso · #21 Posted: **Jul 2, 2012, 5:33 PM**

a game of HORSESHOES

good show as expected, tubs. i've always been taken by how prominent the refineries are right there in the middle of town. nice place though, billings. i like the pics from up on the mesa.

gatt · #22 Posted: **Jul 2, 2012, 5:42 PM**

nice tour!

Cactus319 · #23 Posted: **Jul 7, 2012, 5:02 PM**

I have to say, i was thrilled to see some recent pics of BTown - I rarely get back anymore since moving to the midwest - too sad...a wonderful place.

I have to say (echoing a few other remarks) - there is a lot of Billings' blight being showcased in these pics - which, while it is reality for sure, is unfortunate, as there are many other bright spots to this city. Billings is finally starting to bust out of the off-the-grid conservatism (a long way to go, no doubt) which has kept development slow. But now, the medical cores are among the strongest in the west, and the downtown core is finally refreshing it's parts, adding some much-needed vibrancy to this city - not to mention the western sprawl has remained solid.

I think key to this discussion is to note the EBURD - East Billings Urban Revitalization District (or BIRD - Billings Industrial Revitalization District - i believe they are interchangable references, but i'm not 100% sure). I would say in at last half of the photos above, the EBURD is working on a master plan to clear out some of the blight in this area, and bring more forward-thinking development to this core, which will serve as better conduit to the city's other arms. One of the projects which is exciting and very pragmatic/strategic, is the Exposition Gateway to the city - this will be a new development at the perimiter of the EBURD district, adjacent to MetraPark, featuring shops and anchor hotels. It will also serve as a better gateway into the city (effort has been put into enhancing the 27th Street entrance from the south side - it's a great line with view of the Crowne Plaza against the rims - but unfortunately, this area is just not ripe for development and is residental at core).

Looks like your images do capture the new federal courthouse, which, while agreed by the masses is a miss/mess of a design, helps add substance to the skyline. Also, the new Stockman Bank is an incredible design - it's unfortunate additional investment could not be garnered into expanding the number of floors in this building for office space - CTA Architects do such great work with SB's design.

I also noticed on billingsgazette.com today that construction has begun rather rapidly on the second new federal building just east of downtown (five story office building). Looks like the wireframe is up - but again, design is a little flat on this new structure.

Anyway, thanks again, and keep'em coming if you have the chance - would be great to capture some of the great developments going on in BIL, as well as some more recent shots of the airport.

HP319

KevininPhx · #24 Posted: **Jul 7, 2012, 5:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thundertubs

I was just wandering aimlessly for an hour before my friend showed up to meet me, so it's quite possible that I missed the better parts of town. I was actually surprised by some of the squalor I saw south of the tracks (I didn't photo the worst of it). I'm sure there is an area with nicer old homes, but I missed it. Also, the weather sucked. It was about 55 degrees, ferociously windy, with occasional drizzle. Any sane person was inside.

Wasn't trying to make Billings look bad. My photos from everywhere tend to come off with a desolate look.

I like your pics and thanks for posting. But I was kind of wondering if you were going for that artsy bleak look. Nice, though.

ifeeldope9779 · #25 Posted: **Jul 7, 2012, 5:51 PM**

Great tour! Your Calgary to Billings trip is enticing me to do the same one day.

Columbusite · #26 Posted: **Jul 8, 2012, 6:18 PM**

Interesting, though if I were in town these areas wouldn't be part of my visit.

RockMont · #27 Posted: **Jul 9, 2012, 5:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifeeldope9779

Great tour! Your Calgary to Billings trip is enticing me to do the same one day.

Not at all impossible. Only a 500 mile trip. Just have your passport, and other necessities ready at the, border crossing.

Evergrey · #28 Posted: **Jul 18, 2012, 3:13 AM**

Billings may be the alpha metropolis of Montana, but I'd much rather live in the western part of the state... the landscapes around Billings seem rather blah.

beyondtheforest · #29 Posted: **Jul 24, 2012, 7:30 AM**

I've never been impressed with Billings. Although most Montanans would disagree, I think Butte could wipe the floor with Billings.

mousquet · #30 Posted: **Jul 24, 2012, 11:37 AM**

Rare. The state is better known for ecotourism.

CastleScott · #31 Posted: **Jul 29, 2012, 4:47 PM**

I've very much enjoyed your Montana tour-great show as always Tubs!

Just wondering if your going to continue the tour down I-25 into Wyoming and Colorado?

Segun · #32 Posted: **Jul 29, 2012, 7:41 PM**

Billings is on the Marquee (catches tomatoes)