HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-20 Public Comment - S. Ewing - Letter of support for the Etha_Armory project #19410From:Susan Ewing
To:Agenda
Subject:Letter of support for the Etha/Armory project #19410
Date:Sunday, April 5, 2020 5:50:27 PM
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners:
I just read the article in Sunday’s Chronicle (April 5) about the Etha/Armory project. The
complaints from the real estate agent/condominium board member struck me as glaringly
disingenuous. What about the radical change in the existing neighborhood viewshed that
development brought? What about the highly exclusive nature of the 5 West project—unlike
the Etha/Armory, which is designed and intended to be a locals-welcome community hub and
provide loads of jobs? The condo board is concerned about rooftop mechanical units on the
hotel? It’s hard not to see that as completely self-serving and way out of scale.
I’ve been interested in the Etha/Armory project since it was first proposed, before there were
any other new downtown hotel developments. It’s great to see the old Armory building taking
on a new life and purpose, firmly rooted in Bozeman history and eager to integrate itself into
the fabric of our town. I attended an early public meeting that the developers held to meet
and talk with neighbors, share the plans, and take any and all questions, and it appears to me
that the project has been presented and executed in full good faith all the way along.
From what I understand, there is an appeal on the table from the 5 West group that would
require the Etha/Armory to essentially deconstruct the current building to move the
mechanical equipment, and require an infeasible change to the exterior lighting which has
already been approved by the City Director of Planning.
It seems crazy to place questionable obstacles in the way of this project at this very late date,
and right when locals will be sorely needing to get back to work after the current pandemic-
related shutdown, and when visitors will once again be welcome to come spend their money.
I urge you to give the Etha/Armory the final approval it needs, which looks to me like the right
thing to do.
Sincerely,
Susan Ewing