More condos planned for Nucleus

The housing boom on Nucleus Avenue continues. Compass Construction owner Bill Goldberg broke ground on a new development just south of the Bandit Bar last week.

Goldberg said the building will feature two retail spaces and one office space at the lower level and eight condominiums on the other two floors.

Compass recently bought the lots from owner Pat Carloss. Carloss is renovating the former Bandit Bar. He bought the bar from developer Mick Ruis last summer. Compass has done several projects for Ruis in downtown over the past few years, as interest in Nucleus Avenue continues to grow.

The new building called “Columbia Crest” will feature condos with views as well as a rooftop patio. The patio will have a special lock and key that will allow only residents roof access, he said.

All told, Compass has built about $10 million in new buildings in Columbia Falls, Goldberg noted. The latest project is the first that’s wholly owned by Goldberg’s company.

Columbia Falls is becoming a more cost effective place for people to buy a condominium than in Whitefish. A 400-square-foot Whitefish condo sells for about $260,000, while a Columbia Falls condo with 1,200-square-feet is the same price. Nucleus Avenue also offers great views of the surrounding mountains — the best in the city.

Columbia Crest should be completed by later this summer, Golderg said, and “Glacier Courtyard” which is 18 condos on Fifth Street, just off Nucleus, should be finished by early summer. Compass is building that project for Ruis.

A condo-retail space next to the Columbia Bar was recently built by Compass for Ruis as well.

The flurry of construction activity on Nucleus comes after decades of the doldrums in downtown Columbia Falls. But now the city, with these new developments, is being transformed into a walking community and a more affordable alternative to Whitefish.