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Group seeking approval for land to build tram for Our Lady of the Rockies

Posted at 7:17 PM, Jan 17, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-18 06:30:00-05

BUTTE – The Our Lady of the Rockies organization in Butte is one step closer to its dream of building a tram that would transport people all the way up to the East Ridge to visit the 90-foot tall statue of the Virgin Mary.

The Our Lady of the Rockies group recently received a donation of 12.3 acres of land from the Sister of Charity of Leavenworth Health Services, which oversees St. James HealthCare in Butte. And it’s on this land the Our Lady of the Rockies group hopes to build the base of the tram system.

The land is located just north of Skyline Park and just south of the Columbia Garden Estate subdivision. The Butte-Silver Bow Planning Board must first approve this transaction and is holding a public hearing on Jan. 24.

Many residents in the Columbia Garden Estates subdivision are interested in this issue because subdivision would be located right next to the proposed tram station. Some residents said they’re concerned about potential increased traffic, how it will affect the property values and their view.

Lady of the Rockies officials say this is just the very beginning of a very long process, so don’t expect to take a ride soon.

The public meeting will be Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers on the third floor of the Butte Courthouse.

Story by John Emeigh, MTN News