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²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ (Huebet) partnered with JLG Architects to transform the historic 1963 U.S. Federal Courthouse into a vibrant new City Hall and Law and Justice Center in Billings, Montana. At 215,000 square feet, the new Billings City Hall consolidates 17 City departments—previously scattered across downtown—into one secure, efficient, and community-centered hub.

The renovation design unites essential city functions—Administration, Police, Parks, Legal, Courts, Community Development, Facilities Management, Public Works, and Emergency Operations—within a connected layout. A new monumental stair anchors the first and second floors, visually and physically connecting departments. On the fifth floor, the former Federal courtroom was transformed into the new Council Chambers, reinforcing collaboration and accessibility at the center of civic life.

Financial and environmental stewardship were central to the project’s success. The team secured state and federal grant funding through the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Department of Energy, and unlocked an additional $6 million in historic tax credits by listing the building on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the project achieved significant cost and energy savings by reusing existing infrastructure—furnishings, elevator cores, boiler plant, chillers, and bus duct system—and implementing high-performance upgrades such as a $2.5 million window replacement program.

Beyond modernization, the new City Hall reinvigorates downtown Billings. The project maximizes community return on investment with leasable tenant space, a first-floor restaurant-ready area, and co-location with Yellowstone County, which occupies over 17,000 square feet. Together, these elements strengthen intergovernmental collaboration and activate the surrounding urban fabric. The transformation of the Stillwater Building stands as a model of adaptive reuse, sustainability, and civic reinvention. By uniting departments, elevating public engagement, and planning for long-term flexibility, the project delivers a dignified, enduring home for the people of Billings—one that honors the city’s past while shaping its future.