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Library and Park Service say land swap would relieve acute Medora housing shortage
Summary
Representatives for the Theodore Roosevelt library and the National Park Service told commissioners a land swap would enable construction of staff housing to address seasonal recruitment and operational needs, citing about 95–100 library staff and recent applicants declining positions due to lack of housing.
Library and National Park Service representatives told Billings County commissioners the proposed land swap would unlock housing capacity that both organizations have been unable to provide on their own. Rachel, speaking for the Park Service, said park‑owned lots have historically been held for housing and that the agency lacks funding and maintenance capacity: "that that is a gift for the park because we can't keep up with the portfolio that that we do have."
Ken, speaking for the library/foundation, said the library's staffing is larger than expected — "probably the only entity around that is looking having a staffing now somewhere between 95 and 100 people" — and that local housing is necessary to keep operational staff available on short notice. He said an appraiser was scheduled to evaluate land as part of the federal process and described the swap as a cost‑effective way to partner with the Park Service on housing. The representatives asked the county to consider a letter of support; commissioners opted to seek more information and public comment before deciding.
