Red Oxx refurbishing structure to add production space

Construction of a federal office building on Fourth Avenue North could spawn a renaissance in the industrial area running between downtown Billings and MetraPark.

One effort is already well under way.

Red Oxx Manufacturing Inc., a maker and worldwide distributor of rugged travel luggage, has gutted a dilapidated factory at 1123 Second Ave. N.

The building permit prices the project at $510,500, but Red Oxx’s owners have easily blown past that figure trying to make their future production facility as attractive and as energy efficient as possible.

“It’s over a $1 million project,” said co-owner Jim Markel. “It’s going to have a lifespan of another 100 years when we’re done with it.”

After the factory opens this spring, Red Oxx will operate from two locations, including its nearby store at 310 N. 13th St.

The demolition of the factory is complete down to the floor slab and four walls. The leaky windows are being knocked out and the skylights go in this week.

“It was horrific. There was no redeeming architectural character in that building whatsoever,” Markel said.

When completed, the old warehouse should win Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification as an energy-efficient building. The luggage company also is following the landscaping and diagonal parking code requirements being adopted for the East Billings Urban Renewal District.

“I think their building will be watched for quality and as a good example of transformation in the EBURD,” said architect Dennis Deppmeier.

Markel said he is “super stoked” to see the federal General Services Administration office building go up six blocks from the business he started with his partner, Perry Jones. Unlike the design of the James F. Battin federal courthouse, the GSA design is versatile and can be used for some other purpose someday, Markel said.

Revitalization is a slow process.

So far along First Avenue North, Kairos Development spent $3.5 million remodeling the former Pierce Packing Plant building with more work coming; O’Reilly Auto Parts completed a new building; and Billings Marble & Granite remodeled its space, among other improvements.

Other new construction in the renewal district includes the Rocky Mountain Professional Building with Turley Dental offices, the Billings Food Bank on Fourth Avenue North and First Interstate Bank’s operations center on Sixth Avenue North.

“When First Interstate decided to invest that heavily in the area, it was a signal for a small businesses like us to do the same,” Markel said.

After Red Oxx workers move into the 12,500 square-foot factory in May, Markel and Jones will start plans to develop the vacant half block at the corner of Fourth Avenue North and North 13th Street just north of their store.

“We might build to suit with live (living quarters) above,” Markel said. “We could start that this summer.”

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Red Oxx refurbishing structure to add production space