HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-23 Public Comment - D. Brawner - parking lot at the libraryFrom:Diane Brawner
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]parking lot at the library
Date:Wednesday, November 15, 2023 5:52:20 PM
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I strongly disfavor building a shared Bozeman Public Library parking lot with a developer who proposes to
rent that city-owned land for a ludicrous $1.00 per year for 75 years with an optional renewal clause for an
additional 75 years so he can provide free parking for hotel patrons at the disservice and expense of
Bozeman tax payers and Library patrons. I urge Bozeman Library trustees to not even contemplate this
proposal and thereby preclude the right to build or expand the Library in the future. Bozeman continues to
grow and will do so in the future, and our library is frequented by many as evidenced by the fact that
Library parking spots are already scarce for those of us who patronize it.
There's an unfortunate precedent set by the city which rents out all of the premium main floor spots in the
downtown parking garage to surrounding hotels. And this is at taxpayers expense since we paid for that
structure and now have to pay to park in it, as well, usually only finding parking on the top floors if at all.
I suspect Library patrons will once again get the short shrift in any lot managed by another busy
downtown hotel. The Bozeman City Code currently does not require enough parking for new
developments. Therefore, parking has become a major issue for those of us that live in Bozeman! I
believe the developer should be required to put in underground parking for the proposed hotel.
In addition, Bozeman taxpayers voted to buy the 14 acres where the current library with the
understanding that it would remain public space and not a joint enterprise with private enterprise.
Diane Brawner