Quote:
Originally Posted by azliam
Wow, I didn't even get a response. I didn't think it was THAT lame of an idea...
|
Sorry, I wrote a response, then my internet browser crashed and I was too lazy to retype it!
My basic thought would be, I like your idea of trying to connect Downtown and Midtown more, thats a good thought. But skywalks aren't the way to do it. They pull people away from the street and decrease pedestrian activity and vitality that we all associate with a healthy city. What we need more of is firstly shade trees, second man made shade structures, and third many more misters.
Additionally a key thing is having vastly more street facing retail along central. When its 115 outside and you walk by shops with doors opening and closing and their cool AC spilling out onto the street that helps a lot. Additionally you're going to be more likely to pop into a book store or whatever just to browse and get some relief from the heat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by combusean
The Jet stuff
|
While Im thrilled at them updating the site and hopeful that anything replaces a dirty lot, I'm a bit confused by one line on their site. It says:
Quote:
The Jet is a planned high-rise development that offers a welcome mix of rental housing competitive to entry-level ownership
|
Does this means they plan the rental apartments to be priced similarly to the mortgage on a starter home? Doesn't Downtown need a lot more apartments that are priced at $1 per square foot per month or less rather than luxury rentals that cost as much as owning a home? These luxury projects whether they be condos or apartments seem misguided to me. The majority of urban pioneers are going to be young, creative, poor types.
Obviously due to Phoenix's lack of historic large building stock that can be retrofitted into multi story loft buildings its going to be harder to create large scale affordable housing projects. But developers if they were smart should be trying to fill that market. I know many people (myself included) that would love a place between the 7s, the I-10 and the tracks but end up finding mostly either dumps or 'luxury' apartments with not much in the way of affordable quality in between.