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GOODALE &BdinBIERI COMPANY SIM 1937 May 28, 2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary United States Department of Traii sportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington DC, 20590 RE: Glacier Rail Park / Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail TIGER Grant Application Dear Mr. Foxx, On Behalf of Goodale & Barbieri Company and the Kalispell Center Mall, I am sending this letter in support of the Glacier Rail Park / Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail application, for which the City of Kalispell and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority are requesting Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER> grant funding. A key component of this plan is the relocation of the two rail users in Downtown Kalispell to the rail park in order to facilitate the removal oltrack currently strangling the downtown area and hampering new and appropriate development while providing an appropriate location for industrial development. The development of a multi-use trail in place of the railroad tracks will be a huge valtie to Downtown Kalispell as well as (lie Kalispell Center Mall. [his trail will allow for walkability and safe pedestrian access in and around (lie downtown area. We believe the redevelopment of Kalispell s Core Area would greatly increase the vitality of our community as ell as strengthen economic growth, and encourage businesses to invest in their OWfl growth. Kalispell Center Mall worked closely with the City of Kalispell in the Core Area Plan process and is interested in incorporating the multi—use trail into our anticipated expansion here the tracks are now prohibiting our growth. We have worked successt’ully in the past with two BrownfeIds projects allowing the development of US Bank and Starhucks, and have utilized the Revolving Loan Fund Program to fund the cleanup for Starhucks. There has been an enormous amount of development to the North of Kalispell. and in order for Downtown Kalispell to compete, Downtown Kalispell needs to he released of its industrial blight and move forward. Moving forward would allow private investment which has been a burden in the past due to the constricted access. rail tracks, and industrial uses. Private industry cannot bear the burden of moving the rail tracks plus the reinvestment in commercial projects. Receiving the TIGER grant would create long term jobs, boost construction, and connect the city via much needed expanded pedestrian and vehicular access. PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES 818W Riverside Aye, Suite 300 I Spokane, WA 99201 Phone (509) 459-6102 • Fax (509) 344.4939 • www.g-b.com ---PAGE BREAK--- GOODALE &BBIERI COMPANY WC 1937 Spokane Washington has seen billions of dollars of investment and development in the past 43 years after the rail and blight had been remoed from downtown. We would like to see a version of this for our corn mu iiiiy. We hilly support this project and continue to support the City of Kalispell and their efforts to strengthen our downtown and Core Area. Sincerely yours, 7 Eric Peterson Manager / Marketing Director PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES 818W Riverside Aye, Suite 300 . Spokane, WA 99201 Phone (509) 459-6102 . Fax (509) 344.4939 . www.g-bcom ---PAGE BREAK--- 110LJSI NG Llniess the Lord builds the house. its bwldeu labor in wi/n” SOLUTIONS June 3. 2015 I’hc I lonorable Anthony Foxx. Secretary I .5 Department o I Iransportation 1 200 New Jersey Avenue. SE Vvashington. CD 20590 Rl: TIGER Vii Grant Application for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell (ore Area l)evclopnien t and Trail Project Dear Secretary Foxx. 1 am writing this letter to show our support for the Glacier Rail ParkKalispel I (ore Area Development and Trail project application submitted by the City of Kalispel I and Elathead County Economic Development Authority for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER VII) grant funding. In 2013 we completed construction and commenced operation of a 40—unit senior apartment property in the City of Kalispell Core Area. Being located downtown has been a great opportunity for our resident, allowing them to stay connected to the cmmunity and act ye. Relocating the rail users to a new park will allow the existing tracks to be converted into a much needed walking path that will connect the entire Core Area and henetit the senior citizens who reside at Depot Place. ihis investment in rail, road and utility infrastructure to develop Glacier Rail Park and the Kalispell Core Area and Trail will result in job creation and the highest use of public and pri ate resources. We strongly urge approval of this grant application as the investment in infrastructure will enhance the economic vitalit of the community. The development will encourage businesses to invest in their own growth resulting in job creation. diversity in the eeonom and a broader tax base. Kindest \lL\ l3uikhaltL 5014 Elk Hills Court, Missouta MT 59803 HOUSINC-SOLUTIONS.ORG P. 406.203,1558 F. [PHONE REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- Operations Office: I’ ‘720 3rd Street West Columbia Falls, MT 59912 aI11In1tQSI1 Phoae: [PHONE REDACTED] Fax: [PHONE REDACTED] May26,2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary United States Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E. Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Foxx, On behalf ofthe Mission Mountain Railroad and Watco Companies, we are writing to express our support for the Flathead County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) and the City of Kalispell’s TIGER VII submission to develop the Kalispell Rail Park in the City of Kalispell, MT. The benefits ofthis projeCt are immediate to the City ofKalispell and the Customers who will use the park. Creating rail service to the industrial park will allow for the removal of track from the Kalispell core area which will eliminate six downtown rail crossings. If TIGER VII funding is successfully awarded, the Mission Mountain Railroad would serve the newly constructed rail park and bring all traffic to our class I connection, BNSF. With the development of the Kalispell Rail Park, Cenex Harvest States (CHS) intends to relocate to the rail park. Flathead County Economic Development Authority continues to work diligently vith other nil served Customers to identify a mutually agreeable and beneficial plan to insure the company’s access to rail service without disruption to their current business activities. This $21 million project will leverage the $10 million of federal funds with $11 million of industry, city and county investment. Private investment from CHS, BNSF and Watco combined with this project will result in job creation, economic growth, improved safety and more efficient and increased freight movement in the area. The Mission Mountain Railroad has committed to a total cash contribution of $200,000 over five years to support the project as match for the TIGER 2015 Discretionary Grant funding. Mission Mountain Railroad will continue to partner with FCEDA and the City of Kalispell through the development ofthe Glacier Rail Park and track removal in preparation for the creation ofthe Kalispell Trail. Mission Mountain supports this grant application as the necessary first step in increasing rail traffic, recruiting rail-served businesses and revitalizing the economy in Kalispell and in northwest Montana. Vice President WTS Marketing and Sales Watco Transportation Services