HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-24 Public Comment - P. Suci - New Housing Construction south of the City June 1, 2024
Terry Cunningham
121 N Rouse Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Dear Esteemed Mayor of our City:
When the new housing construction south of the city began, currently most aggressively
being implemented on the east side of 19th, I thought it was depressingly ugly; but, I reasoned,
people need a place to live. My outlook has gradually changed. I now think that it is an
unnecessary profit driven enterprise that will permanently disfigure Bozeman's beauty. I am also
convinced that most residents of Bozeman and the surrounding area feel the same way.
The first experience that started to change my outlook was a drive I made on a bypass
route that goes north of Calgary. There I saw in the distance multi-acre islands of these housing
units surrounded by nearly uninhabited terrain that looked to me like a wasteland. Even in this,
to my eye, unappealing landscape, the housing units stood out as ugly. In the Bozeman setting,
where beautiful landscape surrounds us, the housing units look grotesque.
Still, people need a place to live. However, from a few facts that have drifted my way, I
think that this issue can be addressed in other, more thoughtful, aesthetically acceptable ways.
The remarks made by former City Manager Jeff Mihelich which led to his resignation, although
rash and insensitive, I believe were representative of the general sentiment of the people who
are pushing this new construction forward. It is an attitude driven entirely by monetary interests
with no regard for the beauty of our city. The entire operation, including rezoning, alteration of
city limits and construction, is being rushed through with little attempt to enlist public opinion.
The housing shortage is being treated as an emergency issue. What belies this myth is that the
housing units are not being filled and more are being constructed as rapidly as possible. There
is clearly a significant speculative component to this enterprise.
Essentially all capitalist enterprises are speculative, and profit motives dominate, as they
should. However, the role of government is to allow the public to put brakes on capitalist
enterprises that are deemed harmful. I think that if there was a referendum today, the vast
majority of residents of Bozeman and the donut area would vote for a suspension of
construction activity until alternative plans are presented and discussed.
The housing units remind me of ugly, invasive, noxious weeds. As a representative of
the public, do you want these to be part of your legacy?
Sincerely
Peter Suci
6291 South 19th Ave
Bozeman MT 59718