HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-24 Public Comment - T. Tripp - Opposition to The Guthrie at 321 N 5th AvenueFrom:ttrippbzn@gmail.com
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Opposition to The Guthrie at 321 N 5th Avenue
Date:Monday, April 1, 2024 2:08:44 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission,
I live on North 5th Avenue between Villard and Short and I’m writing to oppose the
development of the currently proposed Guthrie project. Or to at least ask that the City
Commission reclaim final review authority of the project.
I have read through many of the letters that have already been sent and I feel that they bring up
several excellent points. So, I’m not going to go into a lot of details about codes and zoning
and affordable housing. In fact, I fully support affordable housing and remember the days
when the north side WAS the affordable housing in Bozeman.
In the past year, I have heard a lot of comments from the City Commission about engaging the
public sooner than later. Somehow, if feels like we missed our opportunity to engage in
discussions about a project like the Guthrie. It feels like it’s already a foregone conclusion as
the developers are so good at getting involved early regarding zoning or deep incentives or
affordable housing. Of course they’re good at it as it’s their business and they will profit from
it. But the public/members of this community have jobs and kids and mortgages and other
things on their minds. So, I guess I need to trust that our elected officials are watching out for
us and even reconsidering if something just doesn’t feel right, even if it meets the “code.” This
project is a great example. It just doesn’t make common sense that one of the first projects of
its kind in downtown Bozeman could be approved by one person? Really?
The last time I was involved in any sort of public meetings was when the Medical Arts parking
lot zoning was changed. At that meeting, one of the City Planners said that there were no
plans in place to build. That the zoning change was simply part of a larger conversation about
long-term goals. It just felt ingenuous, and it was so clear that the out of state new owners had
something in mind. And it felt that a group of single homeowners talking about community and
investment in real homes and families were simply an irritant. And now, we see what has
happened. While I’m not against downtown apartments, I don’t really get the sequence. At
least the Village Downtown was at the edge of town. But, starting with Block M and then the
super expensive homes on North Wilson and then these high-end apartments on
Villard/Main/Lamme? Followed by a “need” to create housing for Homebase’s workers? And
let’s put that “affordable” development by Whittier School, the elementary school where our
kids went and that continues to have the reputation as the “low income” school. How will the
Guthrie help to change that narrative? This is SO different than Olive and Black. This is an
extended stay hotel that won’t even house families. I remember dropping my kid off at a
birthday party AT a hotel where the family was living. What are we trying to do here?
At the end of the day, it feels like more discussion is needed and that giving the City
Commission final review authority will at least allow a few more voices and ideas to be heard.
Even if it’s so very late in the process.
Thanks for your consideration,
Tim Tripp
402 North 5th Avenue
Proud Dad of two Whittier School graduates
Long time PAC treasurer at Whittier
Board Member at Thrive
NOT a Developer