HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-24 Public Comment - D. Wales - Guthrie Project and Northside developmentFrom:Doug Wales
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Guthrie Project and Northside development
Date:Wednesday, March 27, 2024 11:35:15 AM
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Dear Commissioners,
As a 46 year resident of Bozeman and homeowner on the Northeast side for the past 34 years, I’ve had the
opportunity to witness a lot of change in Bozeman’s city planning. I remember when I was serving on the board of
the DBA in the late 90’s-early 2000’s when the Bozeman 2020 plan was proposed and put into motion. The
development corridor for mix-use 6 story buildings was relegated to the Mendenhall corridor. Obviously that didn’t
pan out, with the Olive and Black 6-story monolith setting the stage for downtown Bozeman’s future. Most north-
sider’s understood and agreed to The Element, the Armory and have no problem with the 5th and Main Street
construction. The North 3rd development north of Peach on that large plot of land makes sense … but this obscene
abutment of monoliths in our backyards is egregious. Why can’t we live in “the real village” downtown?
Now the apparent development rule of thumb has evolved to be, “one tall building deserves another next door”.
When my family and I take walks down North Grand, my heart honestly breaks for all those east-side, North Grand
residents who now have a massive wall of 6- story buildings looming over their back yards, blocking out the
morning sun. Why the decision was made that our Northside neighborhoods could be sacrificed for the sake of
developers who have no investment in Bozeman’s community or culture, is beyond me. I know the rationale has
been to provide affordable housing, but by all reports I’ve seen, that is a myth.
Why hasn’t our mid-town corridor of North 7th been designated as the “high rise” zone for developers, letting them
create a sense of community with their dollars instead of allowing them to exploit the hard work and significant
investment that me and hundreds of my Northside neighbors have spent on remodeling our homes and improving
our properties to create beautiful, friendly neighborhoods for working-class families and individuals to live in? Now
we all live in FEAR of having a monolithic structure built next door to our homes. Not only do they cast long
shadows across their neighbors, they provide no sense of community. We are so very tired of the lip-service given to
the “benefits” that these monoliths will provide. Do we really need another place to buy a $6 cup of coffee in our
neighborhood? What about small grocery stores … how about leaving some space between these monolithic
structures for a park, so that the occupants have a quality recreational space to interact with their single family and
multi-family home neighbors? How about considering the lives, sacrifice, hard work and investment of the people
who helped make Bozeman the groovy place that it has become?
Now we have the Guthrie coming in from the other side of us, built 2 blocks east of 7th facing 5th Street between
Villard and Beall. Is it the church across the street that gives “permission” for this incursion into the neighborhood.
Ok, yes, it was a commercial building designation, created to accommodate aging and debilitated residents in our
little community once upon a time. So now, Andy Holloran and Home Base is pouncing on this opportunity,
feigning the offer of affordable housing, likely, to only beg for forgiveness later.
Why so cynical … hmmmm.
Most sincerely,
Doug Wales Family
323 West Lamme Street
Bozeman