03/20/06 Gabriel/ConcernsTheresa White
From: Kari Gabriel jkari_gabriel_1963@hotmaii.com]
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 3:50 PM
To: twhite@kalispell.com; jcatk@montanasky.net
Subject: Tonight's meeting
Theresa - I forgot to copy you on this...
Kari
From: Kari Gabriel <kari_gabrie1_19639hotmail.com>
To: twkluesner@centurytel.net, jpatrick@kalispell.com
Cc: robertt@montana.com, bherron@bherron.com, jatkinson@co.flath ead.mt.us, larsonbd@centurytel.net,
pam@kowboy.com, randyk@centurytel.net, maryolson200l gyahoo.com
Subject: Tonight's meeting
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 3:36 PM
Dear Jim, Duane, Jim, Randy, Bob, Hank, Tim & Bob,
I am unable to attend the meeting this evening. I've been fighting crud for
6-8 weeks, and it finally got the best of me with a nasty bout of bronchitis. I had a few phone calls on the Hilton proposal
this weekend, and wanted to pass on some of the concerns, since I won't be able to do so in person.
First - are we certain that we are getting the best deal for the property?
I know that we are getting a bit above the "appraised" value of the property, but I'm being told that it is appraising for less
than the surrounding properties... I guess I might feel better about it if we saw the actual appraisal and surrounding
property estimated appraisals. I'd just like to see the best deal for the taxpayers.
Second - the casino. I am very concerned that the casino is a "deal breaker" for this project. I certainly understand the
reason for wanting to put one in (from the developers perspective), but I am having heartburn over changing the
ordinance/creating a PUD to allow for yet another casino in that neighborhood, with the park across the highway. I am also
not buying the "entertainment value" of a property having a casino attached. I don't believe that the bar/restaurant won't
pay for itself without a casino. Reds and the Four Seasons are two newer examples of good restaurants without casinos.
When you travel, do you inquire whether or not the property has a casino attached before you will book a room? My
understanding is that the developer already bought the liquor license. Let's say he paid $50OK for it
- that's a drop in the bucket compared to the total dollar amount he will be investing in the property. I am not anti -casino,
however, I don't think this is a good enough reason to go around/change an ordinance that was voted upon and put into
place for a reason.
Third - signage. Are we going to be asked to change our signage regulations for this property? Apparently in Missoula,
this was the case.
Lastly, I think this is an excellent project, sans casino. I would be thrilled to have a property of this caliber in Kalispell. I
have stayed in a lot of Hilton's, and always had a very pleasant experience. This developer is proposing a high quality
project, and I would like to have the project here if he is paying the fair -market price for the land, and abides by the
gambling and signage ordinances.
Have a good meeting. I will miss you all;-)
kari
Kari Gabriel, APR
406.249.7800 - Cell
406.257A122 - Home
kari_gabriel_1963@hotmail.com