HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-15 Cunningham FW_ Bozeman Pond Project SuggestionFrom:Chris Mehl
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: Bozeman Pond Project Suggestion
Date:Tuesday, May 26, 2015 11:31:13 AM
to commission, parks, engineers, thanks
Chris MehlBozeman City Commissioncmehl@bozeman.net406.581.4992________________________________________From: Terry Cunningham [tcunningham@mcn.net]Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 11:00 AMTo: Chris MehlSubject: Bozeman Pond Project Suggestion
Dear Chris:
I hope this finds you well.
I believe the subject of funding for the Pond Row / Ravalli Road connector road at the Bozeman PondPark extension is going to be coming before the commission next month. As I understand it, there are acouple of options being considered / proposed regarding where the funds for the infrastructureimprovements for this road should be sourced. The least desirable option – in my opinion – would be totake these funds from the $15 bond proceeds from the TOPS bond. This was not the stated intent ofthe bond initiative and could be seen by the public as a “bait & switch” to use park and open spacefunding for road construction.
I would propose that the whole issue of creating the Pond Row / Ravalli road connector should berevisited - and ideally abandoned.
Hear me out…
The city’s master traffic plan for the Ravalli / Pond Row connection no doubt pre-supposed that therewould be high-density residential development on the land that is now park land. That is no longer thecase, so the city should adjust the master plan to reflect the revised use of the land. In fact, punching aroad through the middle of a park creates a dangerous situation that need not exist.
What is really needed is:
1. A short driveway from Fowler that leads to a parking lot for park users.
2. A short extension of Pond Row, then a driveway that leads to the HAVEN facility.
There’s no need to connect Pond Row and Ravalli. Doing so takes land away from the park that shouldbe used for the park itself (I’d recommend adding it to the dog park☺) and introduces traffic flow that
isn’t suitable for a park setting.
Chris, I’m not well-versed in city planning and traffic planning - and my suggestion may not makesense for a number of reasons – but I wanted to at least float the idea in case you think it has merit.
Thank you for your service to Bozeman.
Terry Cunningham3224 Hidden Springs Ln.
Bozeman, MT 59715(406) 587-9180 (PH)
(406) 587-1153 (FX)tcunningham@mcn.net