HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-23 Public Comment - K. Groundwater - Library Board of Trustees meeting- proposed development adjacent to libraryFrom:Susan Gregory
To:Katherine Groundwater
Cc:Agenda; Stewart Mohr
Subject:Meeting regarding development adjacent to Library
Date:Wednesday, November 15, 2023 11:42:21 AM
Hi, Kate,
Thank you very much for your important email. I am sharing it with our Library Board Chair, Stew
Mohr, and the City Clerk right now. Stew will share your comments with the Board and they will be
documented as public comment on the issue.
Thank you for supporting the Library!
Susan
Susan F. Gregory
Director
Bozeman Public Library
Bozeman, MT 59715
sgregory@bozeman.net
(406) 582-2401
From: Katherine Groundwater <katherine.groundwater@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 9:53 PM
To: Susan Gregory <SGregory@BOZEMAN.NET>
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Meeting regarding development adjacent to Library
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To Whom It May Concern, I am writing this in regard to the public meeting this Wednesday between the Library Board ofTrustees and the developers proposing the building of a parking lot adjacent to the library. I strongly oppose this development. I think it is comical that the developers will lease thisprime real estate from the city for next to nothing, with very minimal concessions to the city.If they are trying to invest in this city, then I think it is absurd that the city is financing theirgoals with our public land. I am unconvinced that they are offering any incentive that balances out the loss of publicenjoyment of this space as a well traveled conduit connecting hiking/biking trails todowntown. Saying that library patrons can visit the green space they are proposing, whileaccompanied by library personnel, is a comical concession. The library is not responsible forhiring more personnel to accompany library patrons to a hotel garden that has been built onpublic land. If the owners of the development want a garden solely for their patrons, then theyshould pay the city fair market value of the land. To offer one dollar per year is a slap in theface.
The city of Bozeman does not need to lease this land, nor do they need to accommodate thisdeveloper in any way at all. This is public land, that is currently being enjoyed extensively bythe citizens of Bozeman. The citizens will not take any pleasure in this hotel, but we dothoroughly enjoy the art and green spaces surrounding the library. I see nothing in this plan that benefits the citizens of Bozeman, and I strongly urge the city toreject this plan. Thank you, Kate Groundwater