HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-23 Public Comment - E. Wood - Library parking MOUFrom:Ted Wood
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Library parking MOU
Date:Wednesday, November 15, 2023 2:49:00 PM
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To Whom it may concern:
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal recently submitted to the Bozeman Public Library
Board of Trustees by Left Lane Development. I am a resident of Bozeman and use the Library on average once a
week and the grounds and trails several times a week.
Left Lane has submitted a draft Momerandum of Understanding proposing that the Bozeman Public Library (BPL)
lease them the property on which the BPL’s current parking lot is situated to be used for the construction of a multi-
level parking structure to primarily serve Left Lane’s proposed development of condos and hotels. Compensation for
this arrangement is proposed at $1 (one) per year.
To even consider such an offer I believe there would have to be clear and overwhelming benefit to the BPL, the
patrons of BPL, and to the community at large. I can see no such benefit. The MOU would greatly encumber growth
or modification of the BPL for the foreseeable future (up to 150 years). The proposal is murky at best about how
many parking places would be in place to serve the BPL, and what is now adequate and free could easily become
severely limited and fee-based.
It is also my understanding that the BPL and associated parking is constructed on a remediated “brown field” former
Haz-mat site. The citizens of Bozeman paid for this remediation and are benefiting from the creative reuse of the
area as Library, green space, sculpture gardens, and parking. I believe it is much too risky to reopen this mitigated
site for more construction while entangled in a flimsy agreement with a profit-driven developer. It seems likely this
will backfire and the tax-payers of Bozeman will be left holding the bag.
For these reasons and many more I believe the best course of action at this time is to reject outright this absurd
proposal.
Thank you for you consideration of my views and your service to the Library.
Sincerely,
Edward Wood