Comments dated 2003/2004County Commissioners
800 South Main Street
Kalispell, Montana 59901
October 30, 2003
RE: Reject Glacier Mall
Gentlemen;
Bryan Schutt
6,14 Second Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
I am writing this letter to urge you to vote against the Master Plan amendment proposed by Mr.
Wolford to allow the construction of the Glacier Mall. I feel this project is not in the best interests
of the larger Flathead community for several reasons.
Scale: The proposed size of the project is grossly out of scale with the economy of the Flathead
valley. There are only so many retail sales to go around in this valley. Adding the Glacier Mall
doesn't make that retail pie larger, just divides it in a different way. A project of this size will have
to acquire the lion's share of the area's retail sales in order to succeed. There is simply not enough
population density and summer tourist traffic to make this viable. Mr. Wolford's mall projects have
failed before, I suspect in part because of their gargantuan nature.
Fairness: The proposed mall will be filled with national chains in direct competition with the
established retailers of the area. These existing businesses have been the lifeblood of our
community through thick and thin for decades. To re -write the agreed -upon zoning laws at the
whim of a single developer turns your back on the friends and neighbors that have made this town
livable for all of us. Is The Gap going to sponsor Little League baseball teams? Will the Banana
Republic underwrite the Glacier Orchestra? Fat chance...
Lack of long-term economic benefit: Once the construction jobs are through, this mall will be an
economic drain on the valley. The profits of out-of-state companies will be shipped out of state.
Control over business decisions will likewise head out-of-state. The sum of wages paid to local
employees will be of a similar dollar amount whether those employees are in downtown Kalispell
and Whitefish or at the Glacier Mall. The net effect will be less economic benefit for the Flathead.
For these reasons, I urge you to vote agair.
RespeSkffiII3
Bryan H. Scriutt
Date: February 4, 2004
To: Editor.,
Daily Inter Lake
Kalispell, NIT 59901
CC: Glacier Mall Advisory Board
Kalispell City Council
Flathead County Commissioners
Re: Comments concerning Glacier Mall
I have observed the changes that have occurred in this valley for over fifty years, both positive
and negative. I was born and raised in the Flathead Valley. Because of economic conditions in
Montana, a career in education was pursued in the State of Washington. Upon retiring.. I
returned to the Flathead Valley in1996. Last fall, I had hoped, the Flathead County
Commissioners would consider my letter (along with many others) stating my objection
against the growth policy amendment that allowed the door to open for Glacier Mall. I felt the
Center Mall could be expanded and developed into a lovely mall to meet the needs of the
residents in this valley.
Now, assuming the Glacier Mall is highly likely to come to our valley, The Glacier Mall
Advisory Board is giving the citizens an opportunity to be involved by submitting suggestions
( January 16, 2004 Daily Inter Lake article) that will be passed on to Mr. Wolford. Hopefully
the Advisory Board will go beyond its own agenda and listen to ordinary citizens like myself.
Mr Wolford tells us, "I welcome the opportunity to work with people who understand that the
best way to deal with change is by participating in how it happens rather than trying to stop it
from happening. I look forward to hearing your ideas about developing the Glacier Mall
project in a manner that compliments the Flathead." Let's see if this advisory group can make a
difference by listening and presenting the wishes of the valley residents to Mr.Wolford.
We can all accept the fact there is going to be development in the valley. And I think I can
safely say that we want development to have a positive impact on our community and to
benefit all of the citizens as much as possible. It is hoped that the following suggestions will be
discussed and presented to Mr. Wolford for the purpose of implementing so the changes
resulting from the mall project can be on the positive side.
Because of the low wages that are generated by mall employment, I believe a #I benefit which
needs to be offered is Child Care Services for employees with children who work in the mall.
Mr. Wolford should be required to build an on -site Child Care Center and provide provisions
to staff and maintain the Child Care Center.
Also, I believe that Mr.Wolford, with his investment here in the valley, can leave something
behind to benefit both the city and county. He can leave a substantial financial fund to
redevelop the Center Mall to house the County/City Library, community classes offered by
FVCC, a children's museum, a state of the art performing auditorium, and meeting rooms.
Let's have Mr. Wolford help our community make the Center Mall into a Community Cultural
Center. It is very obvious Mr. Wolford wants to leave his "mark" on this valley. If it is so
important for him to get his wishes, let's put our wishes on the table and negotiate. I think
Mr. Wolford will welcome the chance to give back to our community. Let's give him the
opportunity to impact our community in a mega -positive way by reaching beyond his mall.
In the name of a better economy, let's not destroy what's here; let's make it better.
I challenge Nlr.Wolford, Glacier Mall Advisory Board, Kalispell City Council, Flathead
County Commissioners, and all others who have had a leadership role dealing with the mall
issue to sit down together, work through this idea, and design a "Dream Proposal".
Be creative and go for it! Mr. Wolford's contribution could enrich the entire community as well
as help repair the divisions that his mall project has created in this valley.
J.S.YenWe
Bigfork, MT
Jared John Pitcher
340 Harmony Load
Kalispell, MT. 59901
Dear Mrs. Kennedy,
iL1SEi l vii Y Cl+
My name is Jared Pitcher I am 15 and I am a Boy Scout in Evergreen Troop 1948.
I have been a Boy Scout for over 9 years. Presently I am working on the Citizenship in
the Community merit badge, which is required for me to make Eagle Scout.
I am writing in concerns to the new mall proposal. I don't think that we need a
new mall here in Kalispell. Kalispell has enough places to shop and a lot of places that
we don't use any more. We have 2 malls already. It would be a lot cheaper to just add
on to one, or both of the malls that are already built. There are a lot of people here in
Evergreen that like everything the way it is. There is plenty of space for the mall, but if
the mall is built it will take up a lot of the area that we could use for more recreational
activities. There are almost two thousand students in my school and many of them would
rather see an area where kids go and do things such as skateboard, ride bikes, play
basketball, hockey, etc. Almost every day I hear someone complaining that Kalispell is
BORING. Well a recreation area where people have many options of what to do would
make many people happier than a new mall.
Please send a reply on your opinions if you feel like you want to. I'll understand if you
don't write back, I'm sure you're very busy. Thanks for all that you are doing for us.
Best regards,
Jared John Pitcher