HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-17 Public Comment - E. Darrow - Black Olive II1
Robin Crough
From:Elizabeth Darrow <elizabeth.darrow@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, October 8, 2017 4:27 PM
To:Agenda
Subject:Citizen Comment on Black Olive Once Again
Categories:Public Comment
Re: Black Olive: 17265
October 9, 2017
Dear Mayor Taylor and City Commissioners,
Groundhog Day--The relentless reconsideration of the deeply flawed Black Olive out-of scale
development is terribly frustrating for all of us—no matter what side you are on. It is time to end it and move
on-- put a stake thru the heart of this zombie-monument to a developer’s hubris and greed. This project
represents the irresponsible aspects of the real estate land rush that threatens community trust and goodwill— its
purpose is limited only to cash in on unregulated growth, but destroys the old beauty of our historic vibrant
small town character and all it represents for a sustainable quality of life. Once again Bozeman City
Commission must step up and do their duty and reject this project. The issues remain the same. The building is
located within and abuts an historic district overlay and historic preservation principles and design codes apply.
This includes determining allowable mass, height, scale and context of the proposed project. It also represents
the grotesque lie about “density not sprawl” that has no basis in reality in Bozeman or Gallatin Valley or
anywhere.
Why hasn’t the developer, with all this time allowed between the rejections by the DRB and the City
Commission, adapted their design? Why has this developer refused to consider and use as a model—with a
creative response—the model of the wonderful award-winning Fred Willson Blackmore Apartments which
stands as an architectural gem across the street from the lumbering Black Olive?--it was a design ahead of its
time that has endured for over 75 years and is still beautiful, and holds a firm place in architectural history. Why
doesn’t the Commission demand that we deserve an architectural GIFT—not a generic eyesore if this developer
and all who follow are given the privilege to build in our town! Please lead our city to a progressive
conversation among all stakeholders about growth that courageously elevates the crucial values of livability and
the real benefits of scale and architectural character.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Darrow
2
Jim Walseth
603 West Babcock Street