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Bozeman's 200 block is witnessing it's first phoenix rise from the downtown explosion site.

Construction is wrapping up on the new American Legion building. Members expect Walker Construction to finish the structure by September 15th, and the group hopes to officially open by the first week of October.

"It's about a 100 percent improvement," said Legion member Dan Weaver. Weaver, retired now, worked his entire career in the construction industry and was a part of the building of the new facility from the start. He pointed out changes from the old Post 14 Headquarters. The bar, which used to be in the basement, has been moved up to the ground floor, more windows now face out onto Bozeman's Main Street, and the second floor contains a large meeting room and a full kitchen. Community members and groups will be able to rent out the second floor for events and get togethers. Among other things, the basement will host a new Bozeman Boy Scout troop.

"We've had a lot of people that were regulars that are looking to come back home," said Post 14 Commander Len Albright. Albright said the group has been meeting in people's houses and other facilities for the last year and a half.

"We're so excited, it's unbelievable," he said.

The old American Legion Building was one of four destroyed in a March 5th, 2009 gas explosion. The blast also killed Bozeman resident, Tara Bowman.
Post 14 declined comment on funding for the new building due to pending litigation with Northwestern Energy over the incident.