‘Green’ Think Tank project put on hold

Concerns of a local historical group about the location and design of a new “green” coffee shop at the University of Montana prompted University officials to put the skids on the project. 
The Missoula Historical Preservation Office aired its concerns as steps were being taken to build it on the brick concourse north of the Urey Lecture Hall, said Mark LoParco, director of Dining Services.
Think Tank is currently located in the same vicinity as the proposed new shop, one of six coffee bars on campus. 
President George Dennison, called “incredibly supportive” of the project by LoParco, said the group has no actual authority to shut down the project, but that its concerns must be weighed.
“We are obligated to consider all comments,” Dennison said.
MHPO jumped in because of concerns about the loss of open space, and that the Think Tank would be too close to the Oval, LaParco said. The preservation group also felt that the buildings around

the Oval should only be academic, he added.
Philip Maechling, a preservation officer for the organization, didn’t reply to the Kaimin’s request for an interview.
LoParco said the next step is to decide as an institution on another location for the Think Tank, which is up to Dennison.
“We’re back to the drawing board,” he said.
LoParco said if the project ultimately falls through, funds for the Think Tank will go to the next coffee shop project on campus, which would be Biz Buzz in the Gallagher Business Building.
Once a new location is chosen, the Think Tank could be built by next fall, he said.
The Think Tank project is a great building concept, LoParco said, and because of this the project should be appealing to the historical organization.
“My feeling is this: to me one of the jobs of a historical preservation group is to also consider the present and how it relates to the future,” LoParco said.
kayla.matzke@umontana.edu