2nd Street adds needed housing

I am writing to show my approval and support for the proposed 2nd Street Residences.

I was born in Whitefish, and raised in Columbia Falls. In 2003, I moved to Arizona and three months ago I made the decision to move my family back to my wonderful hometown of Whitefish.

Arizona provided a variety of reasonable, quality housing, and I had little doubt at the time the valley would be able to do the same. We have been searching for a place to call our own for over two and a half months now, but there is nothing in Whitefish that will meet my standards.

I do worry about my children, and at this point in my life have to be incredibly critical on where I determine to live. The availability of quality rentals in Whitefish is meager at best, and what I have found is either out of my budget, or in general has unacceptable living conditions for my two young children.

I have done some fact-checking on my own and what I can discern from my research online, Whitefish is a rapidly growing community. Based on a 2010 census, there has been a 26.33 percent increase in population from the 2000 census, and at this point there are no signs of slowing down. Growth is inevitable. As a community we need to be very careful how we plan our growth for the future.

There is a vast need for affordable, safe and quality housing and the 2nd Street Residences would deliver just that. The developers have created a healthy vibrant community that should be a model for future developments in the Flathead.

My understanding the developers have set aside 70 percent open space that features parks and trails. As a community we need to look to growth that benefits the greater community as a whole, this project certainly does this.

The developers of the 2nd Street Residences are locals from the valley and have the best interest of the Whitefish general public in their consideration. They aim to keep a family oriented community, as well as to offer accommodations to single working professionals.

Gearing the apartments toward these two groups will not only ensure support of the local businesses, but help protect the safety and attractiveness of the neighborhood already in place.

— Darcy Q. King