New digs eyed for Troy Ambulance

As Troy Volunteer Ambulance expands, the group is seeking to move its operation into a larger building.

Vice president Pam Tallmadge told Troy City Council on Aug. 19 that the volunteer group is quickly running out of room at its county-owned building on Third Street. While the organization has struggled with limited space for a few years, Tallmadge said volunteers have recently had an especially difficult time as they bring in new equipment to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

The organization has outfitted one of its ambulances to serve COVID-19 patients, making it the main emergency transport outfit for coronavirus cases in Lincoln County.

In their search for a new building, organization leaders have settled on a property owned by the city at 303 N. Third St. While Tallmadge said that the property would need renovation work, she deemed it a great space.

According to Tallmadge, the group plans to convert one structure into an office building. This space would also include an area where volunteers could sleep during shifts. Another building on the lot would be turned into an instruction facility that would host everything from CPR classes to COVID-19 training. The remaining two buildings would be used for a garage and equipment storage space.

Tallmadge said the group planned to park three ambulances in the garage and might pave a spot outside for a fourth ambulance they are planning to acquire.

Tallmadge told councilors that the group had not found any other properties that would be suitable for their planned expansions. She hoped the ambulance group could either purchase or rent the lot from the city on a long-term lease.

“We are a nonprofit, 501(c) and we do a lot for this community,” Tallmadge said. “We would love to be able to expand and be able to do more.”

While the volunteer group had only recently made their offer, Mayor Dallas Carr said city officials have taken the first steps in evaluating the property. Lynn Ward, an agent with Northwest Montana Real Estate, submitted a value assessment, which was under consideration by the council.

According to Ward’s report, the city property is worth between $180,000 and $200,000. The .359-acre property comes with sewer, electricity and water. The city owns a total of 4,668 square feet parceled up between the main building, two garages and a lab built on the site. Ward used the building square footage for her evaluation as she said no commercial properties have sold in Troy in the last few years.

In the assessment, Ward stressed that she was only offering her opinion as a realtor. Carr said the city would need a more formal report from an appraiser to determine a fair market value of the lot.

The council has considered other plans for their third street property. Councilor TJ Boswell had suggested the city could apply for grants and turn the buildings into apartments. After researching the option, though, Boswell said the process could be drawn out over two years during which the city would not be receiving any income from the property. Boswell said leasing or selling the property to the ambulance group would serve a much better purpose.

Councilor Shawna Kelsey agreed with Boswell and said supporting the volunteer group was more in line with the city’s mission.

While remarking that the organization’s bid for the property was still in its early stages, Carr offered encouragement to Tallmadge.

“I’m supporting you guys from the get-go,” he said. “Where I live, I see where you guys go. I see how often you guys go and I see who you take care of.”