[markbarbera]

What we need is an approach that reflects the city development philosophy Jane Jacobs advocated. The answer is not simply more jobs, or more housing. It's more jobs and more housing, along with sufficient infrastructure and services to support them (i.e. mass transit, retail, cultural and recreational venues). The revitalization of the core has to focus on all these elements to attract and retain businesses and citizens.

At risk of sounding insensitive, more affordable housing downtown works against this goal. The average disposable income of downtown residents needs to be pushed up if revitalization of the core is to take hold. I sincerely hope that the proposal for the Connaught site has affordable housing as only a small part of an overall plan for the site, which should embrace a mixed-use model. If this is a residential redevelopment with a commercial element and a balance between market value and affordable housing, then it would work. Use the existing buildings for hotel apartments and upscale condos, and build affordable condo units and rentals along Main and John. Link the entire complex with a retail concourse with a couple floors of office space above it.