HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2020 Public Comment - J. Schaap - Armory Hotel Project Application 19410From: Judy Schaap
To: Agenda; Brian Krueger
Subject: Application 19410
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020 1:46:33 PM
Re: Application 19410
I am writing to whole heartedly support the Armory Hotel project.
As a resident of Gallatin County since 1972, the Armory building has been woven in and
out of my life from its center for military involvement to dance aerobics classes to quaint
restaurants. The Armory is such a significant landmark for Bozeman residents and the
new hotel continues that status as the downtown segment of town continues to grow and
flourish.
Fred Willson was such a prominent figure in our town, creating beautiful buildings
which endure and thrive after all of these years. To have watched this
wonderful Armory structure fall derelict for so many years was a terrible fate for one of
his many masterpieces. With each spray of graffiti, each broken window and lack of
light and life, the building actually was making a negative mark on Bozeman.
Then along came the hotel project! What an amazing breath of fresh air!
After having worked at The Ellen Theatre, another Willson delight,I’ve learned more
about his vision, his building style and gifts to Bozeman. It’s been exciting to see the
Armory Hotel project respect his attention to detail right down to the awnings.
I can imagine that any other innovative group of people would have demolished the
entire building to build yet another uninspired building. I applaud the City of Bozeman
for taking such an interest in preserving our history while enhancing our downtown.
The City’s recent impediments to the completion and opening of this grand hotel
seems unnecessary and very short sighted. As I understand it, the Armory Hotel creators
have done their due diligence and accommodated the City’s various rules and
processes over the course of several years. It seems to me that the current problems
have come about more because of lack of communication within the involved
departments of the City of Bozeman. These failings on the part of the city certainly
should not affect the timely completion of this building as it is designed. The current
issues seem wasteful of time and effort for both the City and the Armory Hotel.
Please remove the impediments and resolve to support the Armory Hotel as it breathes
life and vitality into what was once a blight on Bozeman’s downtown.
Thank you.
Judy Schaap