City Council last week approved a request to expand the former Great Northern Brewing Company building on Central Avenue for the planned operation of a microbrewery and restaurant.

Blackstar Partners LLC requested a conditional use permit for the project. Bars/lounges and microbreweries require a CUP in the WB-3 zoning district and expansion of any such facilities or buildings also requires a CUP.

The owner plans to remodel and expand the upstairs bar and restaurant. In addition, the owner plans to expand the operating hours — the brewery portion will continue to be open until 8 p.m., but the bar/tavern portion of the building may stay open as late as 2 a.m. per state law.

Aaron Wallace, with Montana Creative, in representing the owner, said the owner is still negotiating a lease with a brewery to operate in the building.

“It’s a local Montana brewery and they have really good beer,” Wallace said.

Wallace said the plan is to redesign the building in part to reduce the brewing space because it’s larger than what is needed.

“We’re looking at having the brewery move into the back half of the first floor space and turning the front into more seating,” he said. “We’ll be putting a new kitchen on the second floor and expanding the seating there too.”

Outdoor seating on the roof is planned with a rooftop deck and service bar. One of the conditions of approval in the CUP says that no outdoor live or broadcast music from the rooftop deck can occur past 10 p.m. nor can speakers be directed toward the street level.

Councilor Steve Qunell praised the plan.

“I’m glad we’re going to be able keep this type of business in this location,” he said. “I’m glad they’re going to be taking advantage of probably the best view in downtown.”

The neon Blackstar signs on the side of the building are grandfathered in as part of the city’s sign code, but if changed the owner would have to obtain a new sign permit.

Wallace says the owner does not plan to remove any of the existing signs on the building.