Congratulations & Community Input on Downtown Kalispell Public Comment from Ester HolmesAimee Brunckhorst
From: Ester Holmes <esterholmes88@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 4:30 AM
To: Aimee Brunckhorst; Doug Russell; Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Fwd: Congratulations & Community Input on Downtown Kalispell
Hello Jarod and team,
Congratulations on your recent appointment as City Manager of Kalispell. I
wish you much success in this new role and appreciate your service to our
community.
I wanted to briefly share a perspective as a local resident who cares deeply
about the future of downtown Kalispell. My husband grew up near Ashley
Lake, and having lived in several cities —including in Europe —we've seen
how thoughtful downtown planning greatly impacts quality of life, tourism,
and small business vitality.
One concern I've seen mentioned publicly is parking, and it is something I
personally experience when visiting downtown with my children. Parking
can be challenging, often requiring longer walks along busy roads. In my
hometown in Bavaria, Germany, the city invested early in multi -level
underground parking beneath public squares. While this is a significant
investment, it proved essential as the city grew and its downtown became
more active and walkable.
With Flathead Lake continuing to gain attention and growth, I believe our
area has the opportunity —and responsibility —to plan ahead. Communities
like Lake Tahoe show how quickly growth can change a place, and
thoughtful planning now can help preserve what makes Kalispell special for
future generations.
I know you are just stepping into this role, but I wanted to share this
perspective and ask if there are opportunities for community members to
provide input or support long-term planning efforts for downtown Kalispell. I
would sincerely welcome the chance to be involved.
Thank you for your time and for your commitment to our city. I appreciate
you taking a moment to read my note and would be happy to connect by
email or phone if helpful.
Warm regards,
Ester Holmes
Ester Holmes
+1 406 2410119
esterholmes88@gmail.com
"Let all that you do be done in love"
1 Corinthians 16:14