Dick Anderson Construction submits $385K bid for fire tower renovations

After an infamously uneventful 2023 season, Montana’s Dick Anderson Construction put in a bid to restore Helena’s iconic fire tower for around $165,000 more than the previous contractor.

“These projects don’t come around everyday,” DAC project manager Tim Tholt said. “It’s an important project, and we’re looking forward to getting it done right.”

The Dick Anderson Construction bid was for $385,800, Tholt said. The previous estimate by another contractor last year was $220,000, according to previous Independent Record reporting.

Although the exact schedule isn’t yet nailed down, the bid is expected to be presented to city commissioners Sept. 23, city spokesman Jacob Garcin said via email.

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The fire tower, originally built in 1874 and nicknamed “Guardian of the Gulch,” is an unofficial mascot for Montana’s capital, its silhouette appearing on logos and merchandise citywide.

When it was damaged by arson in 2016, there was concern about how it would be repaired. Tearing down and rebuilding the tower with stronger material saw vehement rejection from local historians and citizens alike.

Replacing the damaged wood isn’t an easy option either. Due to its exacting wood, construction style and historic significance, it needs an expert hand

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