HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-23 Public Comment - K. Ramirez - Library Board of Trustees Agenda Item 11_14_23 _ Left Lane Development LLC MOUFrom:Kelly Ramirez
To:Agenda; Terry Cunningham; Susan Gregory; Janay Johnson
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Library Board of Trustees Agenda Item 11/14/23 : Left Lane Development LLC MOU
Date:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 2:20:08 PM
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To the members of the Bozeman Library Board of Trustees and Deputy Mayor
Cunningham,
First, thank you for the time and energy you devote as representatives of our community to
supporting one of the most treasured civic spaces in the Gallatin Valley.
My name is Kelly Ramirez. I have been a Bozeman resident since 2006. I am a mother to
school-age twin daughters, a small business owner, a Library neighbor, and a former Board
Member of the Bozeman Library Foundation. Throughout my 6 years of volunteer service
on the library board I was constantly struck by the pride and gratitude our fellow residents
had for the Bozeman Library, and the awe and appreciation visitors expressed - not only of
the building itself but the welcoming environment of park and trails, and the intimate
neighborhood feel that surrounds the library. I’ve often observed that the Bozeman
Public Library is a reflection of what we care most deeply about in our community.
I have had the chance to read and digest the proposed drawings and MOU sent from Left
Lane Development from New York City. I am writing to voice my strong opposition to the
approval of the MOU for the following reasons:
1.
Usability and Access to the Library: The easements for the potential Hotel
Structure and Parking Structure requested reflect a drastic change in access and
usability of the library. The elaborate mechanisms to access the green space the
developer group proposes placing on top of a concrete structure fall incredibly short
of the needs (current and future) of Library and open space users.
2.
Balance of Development and Community Benefit: We know Bozeman is a place
that will continue to attract interest for development because of so many of the
attributes we enjoy as citizens : access to open spaces, safety for kids to roam and
explore on trails from downtown, respectful civic engagement, and high quality
education. We are fortunate to have the option for growth. We have to draw a line
around what we are willing to protect in the face of opportunity for development. This
MOU and the drawings show a complete lack of understanding of our community and
the functional use of the public and civic space this proposed development will
suffocate.
3.
Appropriate use of Library Property: The Trustees of the Bozeman Public Library
have a very significant responsibility in making the decision to engage in further
conversations or deny the drastic change of use of Library property. I urge you to give
the proper gravity to the core purpose of the library for the diverse population that
utilizes the library. It’s hard to imagine this wide variety of users benefitting from
further discussion of a proposal of this fashion. The approval of a project of this
nature deals a blow to one of our town’s most valuable public resources in favor of a
cookie cutter development that has no connection or relevance to what you have
been respectfully requested to safeguard.
Thank you again for your time and consideration of citizen and library patron input on this
important matter.
Sincerely,
Kelly Ramirez