HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-26 Public Comment - C. Smith - Request for City and County Commissioners to Walk King Arthur Park and Mountain Meadows with ResidentsFrom:Mike Maas
To:Bozeman City Commission
Cc:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:FW: [EXTERNAL]Request for City and County Commissioners to Walk King Arthur Park and Mountain Meadowswith Residents
Date:Monday, April 27, 2026 12:13:25 PM
Attachments:Community Ask Flyer.png
FYI
From: Cynthia Smith <cynthia.logan.smith@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2026 7:24 PM
To: Commission@Gallatin.mt.gov; Bozeman City Clerks Department
<BozemanClerksDepartment@bozemanmt.gov>
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Request for City and County Commissioners to Walk King Arthur Park and
Mountain Meadows with Residents
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
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Dear City and County Commissioners,
We are writing on behalf of residents, neighbors, and supporters of King Arthur Park andMountain Meadows Estates to ask you to come walk through our communities with us andhear directly from the people being affected by rapidly rising lot rent, housing insecurity, andthe growing loss of affordable manufactured-home communities in Bozeman and GallatinCounty.
Our request is simple: please schedule a walk-through of King Arthur Park and MountainMeadows Estates with residents, Montana Mobile Home Communities, and local supportersso we can discuss what is happening on the ground and what local and state leaders can do toprevent more displacement.
Residents here own their homes, but not the land underneath them. That leaves families,seniors, workers, and people on fixed incomes vulnerable to steep lot-rent increases anddecisions made by out-of-state or corporate ownership interests. Lot rent has increased byroughly 70% over the last nine years, and many residents cannot absorb more increaseswithout cutting essential needs, going further into debt, or losing access to monthly health andsafety supports such as Life Alert and other healthcare subscriptions.
The harm is not abstract. These are our neighbors. Some residents are already struggling toafford the recent increase, and community members are organizing a rummage sale, bake sale,plant sale, and online auction to help neighbors stay housed and cover urgent needs. Theorganizing materials explain that about 25% of residents are struggling to afford the increase,and volunteers are seeking donations, auction items, baked goods, plants, and help with setupand outreach.
We are deeply concerned that Gary Oakland has sold the park and is attempting to maximizehis final month of profit in a way that could displace residents. We are also concerned that thenew owners may continue the same pattern unless there is public accountability, policyintervention, and a serious conversation about manufactured-home community protections.
This is about more than one rent increase. It is about whether Bozeman and Gallatin Countywill preserve one of the few remaining forms of naturally occurring affordable housing. When
manufactured-home communities are destabilized, residents often cannot simply move theirhomes. Many cannot afford the cost of relocation, and many have nowhere comparable to go.
The result is displacement, debt, loss of community, and a further reduction in affordablehousing stock.
Montana Mobile Home Communities is working to give mobile-home parks a chance to
remain affordable and to help residents secure the rights and protections they deserve. Webelieve this needs to become a broader local and statewide initiative. Bozeman can be the
place where this conversation begins in a serious, organized, and solutions-focused way.
We ask you to:
1. Walk King Arthur Park and Mountain Meadows Estates with residents and community
organizers.
2. Listen directly to affected residents about rent increases, displacement pressure, health
impacts, debt, and housing insecurity.
3. Help convene a larger public conversation about manufactured-home community
affordability in Bozeman, Gallatin County, and Montana.
4. Explore local tools, state legislative options, resident protections, ownership models,
preservation strategies, and accountability measures for large corporate or out-of-state
owners.
5. Publicly support efforts to preserve manufactured-home communities as essential
affordable housing.
We are not asking for charity. We are asking for leadership, accountability, and partnership.Residents have invested in their homes, their neighborhoods, and this community. Theydeserve a fair chance to remain housed and to help shape the policies that affect their lives.
Please meet with us and walk the communities with us. We would welcome the opportunity tocoordinate a date and time that works for the City Commission, County Commission,residents, and Montana Mobile Home Communities.
Thank you for your time, your service, and your attention to one of the most urgent affordable-housing issues facing our community.
Sincerely,
Cindy Smith406.596.4451cynthia.logan.smith@gmail.com
On behalf of residents and supporters of King Arthur Park and Mountain Meadows Estates
Community contacts:Cindy — 406-596-4451Fern — 406-451-2265
Millie — 406-425-1708
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need enthusiastic
helpers for planning,
setup, outreach, and
making the event a
success!
-Friends of King Arthur Park & � Mountain Meadows Estates
Sponsored by Montana Mobile Home Park Communities
We are reaching out to friends of King Arthur
Park and Mountain Meadows Estates and the
wider Bozeman community for support.
We are gathering volunteers and donated
items to help make this fundraiser a success
for our neighbors. With your help, we can
create something fun, successful, and
meaningful for those who need it most.
DONATE AUCTION ITEMS
We are seeking high-value
items for the online auction.
Most wanted: gift certificates,
themed baskets, services, and other special items that may
bring a great price.
Also welcome: experiences,
handmade items, and
quality goods. .::-M �/ V ..._
HELP SETTING UP
We need help with:
¥Setup before the event
(Rummage, Bake, Plant Sale)
¥Organizing and sorting
¥Arranging tables and
displays
¥Clean up after the event
�(v-') � / V .....
HELP COLLECT DONORS
We need people who can
reach out to local
businesses, friends,
and neighbors to collect
donations for our
online auction.
_ �· £.very, rlmuilim,,, every, IHJlmd:eer, and every, � �-a, di/Jerenc.e. � •
FUNDRAISER LOCATION
127 Percival, Bozeman, MT 59718
� All proceeds will support neighbors V in King Arthur Park and (\,"\ Mountain Meadows Estates. V
�-------------------------,f I : -; OnlineAuciitm! � :
Great items, big impact-!
bid online and help :
support our community! \:'.::> :
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