HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-10-2020 Public Comment - R. Ungersma - Opposed to Warming Center Location at Wheat Drive May 29, 2020
City of Bozeman Department of Community Development
Attention: Susana Montana WELCOME
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
RE:Application 20145
To Whom it May Concern:
Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply prides itself on being a partner to our local communities. As such,
this is a difficult letter to write. We care deeply about our community in Bozeman and want to help
and support ALL our neighbors as often as we can.
Due to the location of our North 7th store and Home Office,we are presented with difficult situations
on an ongoing basis. Being on the edge of town and close to 190, we deal with homeless people
sleeping on our front lawn, congregating under our trees and setting up camp in our back-parking lot.
We've had to involve the police to ask people to leave our property multiple times.
Across North 7th, our Finance and IT teams occupy offices in the strip mall that we lease from GC
Properties. In addition to the homeless population, we experience situations involving clients of
Alcohol and Drug Services which is located right behind the building. Our team members express
concern for their safety while entering and exiting our buildings. They have had to clean up vomit
from our parking lot. They have had to ask homeless people to vacate our area so our team members
could utilize the picnic table that we provide for them.
As mentioned, we care about our town and understand the need for a warming center. Caring for
our homeless population should be a shared responsibility. Developments to support the homeless
should be spread throughout the community. There should not be one area that becomes known for
its homeless population. North Seventh has Fork & Spoon and the area south of Walmart where
support is provided. Adding an additional option on North Seventh would significantly increase the
homeless population that stays in this area.
We are deeply concerned about the increased challenges Murdoch's and our team members will face
should the warming center open in the proposed location. Our team members are already concerned
about their safety. As a business, we are concerned about the amount of time and effort our team
members must spend trying to keep our store a welcoming and safe place for our customers.
We are not in favor of a warming center in the proposed location. We would like to understand what ;w
plans the city is developing to help mitigate the potential issues that Murdoch's would face if the
permit is approved.
Sincerely,
/ Home Office
2311 North 7th Ave.
Rick Ungersma Bozeman,MT 59715
Phone:406.587.5846
President and CEO
murdochs.com