HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2020 Public Comment - J. Harris - Armory Hotel Project Application 19410From: Jim Harris
To: Agenda; Brian Krueger
Subject: Application 19410
Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2020 8:53:34 AM
Director, Marty Matsen, I am writing for my support to approve Application 19410 for the Amory
Hotel.
After reading the Chronicle's recent article, I find it embarrassing to the city of Bozeman not being able to
properly manage a building of this magnitude. I would imagine the people involved within city planning,
community development and the building department feel embarrassed as well. Maybe there is blame on
each side of the isle, but I would urge the city to swiftly move forward and approve the building as
constructed per the plans that were stamped approved in 2015.
The positives from the beginning of the demo, construction to the completion are immense. Not only for
the jobs along the way but the continued hiring of Bozeman workers throughout the life of the building. The
creation of a new hotel in Downtown Bozeman is a major plus for all the local businesses located in the
downtown corridor, not to mention the traveler coming to Bozeman with another option to stay in Historic
Downtown.
I operate two businesses and honestly cannot wait for the hotel to open as we will see an increase in foot
traffic on day one. This is something Downtown has needed and delaying the opening with circumstances
that do not seem to make a lot of sense as someone who has been through the system several times.
When I first began my journey to open up the distillery, Bryan, you were one of the first people I spoke with.
We had to maneuver within the framework the city was familiar with as well as chart a new route, as we
were the first type of business in the downtown corridor of this nature. Cory Lawrence was just introducing
Bozeman to the concept of the Etha at the same time in 2013. We were both approved for construction of
our separate businesses. We actually sat in the same meetings with planning etc pitching our ideas and
concepts. It was a long journey for me to get open and Cory's, even more monumental!
Cory recently wrote the following: "This is a project borne of a local’s mentality about the best way
to save a vacant historic building and to add something new (and fun) to our community. We are in
the midst of ramping to a springtime opening. We have hired the leadership team and are in process
to ultimately hire over 160 employees to support the hotel operation. That is over 160 jobs and
significant new business to vendors supporting this significant project."
This is a landmark effort deserving of the City’s support and I encourage the city of Bozeman to
approve Cory's application.
Thanks for your time,
Jim
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Jim R Harris
Bozeman Spirits Distillery
Union Hall Brewery
406-581-7777
www.BozemanSpirits.com
www.UnionHallBrewery.com