proposed parking garage and housing development in downtown Kalispell Public Comment from Jane BurlesonAimee Brunckhorst
From: Jane Burleson <jbinmontana@centurytel.net>
Sent: Monday, August 1, 2022 7:07 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Public Meeting tonight Aug. 1,2022 in Kalispell, to address the proposed
parking garage and housing development in downtown Kalispell.
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
To our elected officials:
I am writing to voice my concerns, along with many others, over the proposed five story parking garage in downtown
Kalispell and in addition, the recent approval of the eight story hotel.
My concerns are for mitigating traffic in an already inadequate infrastructure in the downtown area of Kalispell. I do
understand that there is a parking problem in the downtown area, but adding more cars to the problem will only
exacerbate it.
What I do not understand is why you would approve structures that would be too high for the aesthetics of the area and
for the cohesiveness with existing structures on Maine St. In my mind, and in many others, this is excessive, and will
overwhelm the existing landscape of our lovely western town. Is there no compromise? Why not limit the structures to
three or four stories to align with our existing buildings on Main St.?
I am also confused as to why the city of Kalispell thinks we need to revamp the downtown area. There is such a lovely
charm about our Main St. The recent Park path will bring in more visitors to this area, and more shoppers. I also wonder
if you you feel the need to compete with the commerce up 'the hill' on Hwy 2 where many of our popular stores are
now. If so, why? Do you not receive revenue from this area as well?
Many people wish to preserve the charm of our old downtown Main St. and surrounding area. The Flathead Valley is
not, nor wishes to be, like Missoula, Coeur d'Alene, or Spokane. We are unique and lovely and many people believe it
should stay that way.
My other concern is this:
Who will be the owners of the Charles Hotel and the parking garage and housing projects?
And finally, does the mayor of Kalispell, Mark Johnson who is the Senior Vice President of Investments at Stifel in
Kalispell, (which is a brokerage and investment banking and lending firm); or the Kalispell City Council or the
commissioners, have any personal financial stake in these projects, and/or gain in Montana Hotel Dev Partners LLC, led
by Bill Goldberg of Compass construction, who would team up with BOND Partners and Alchemy Development for the
massive project.
If so, wouldn't this be a conflict of interest in the approval of these building projects? And if so, will these members of
our city governing body be required to recuse themselves from any decision making on these two projects? The voters
need to know.
Sincerely,
Jane Burleson
Kalispell, MT
Sent from my iPhone