I say it must be balanced with the quality of life issues high rises create. I don't disagree that we should increase density and encourage mass transit by almost any means necessary, including quality buildings higher than a couple/three stories, but you can have ghettos going up 30 floors or more as well. And will services needed to sustain such density also be available? Must be sure before building.
Andy Driscoll Saint Paul -- The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men: Plato "Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity." - Lord Acton -- Visit our weblog: http://newswired.blogspot.com > From: ken bradley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2005 12:58:45 -0700 (PDT) > To: Mpls Forum <[email protected]> > Subject: [Mpls] Building Height (exception idea) for taller buildings > > > Minneapolis Folks, > > The height of buildings has been an important discussion on this list for > several months. > > I support larger-taller buildings because of the density it will help to > create, which will benefit development of mass transit, and help to slow the > sprawling development in our fifth and sixth ring suburbs (that is our current > reality). This is important land that needs to be saved for farming, and > recreation, and creating greater density will help to preserve this valuable > state asset. > > I understand the public apprehension about having more people crammed into > their neighborhood. I believe the biggest concern is related to increase > congestion caused by automobiles. > > I propose that the city offer to except the height restriction if the > developer limits sale and rental to people that do not own an automobile. For > instance you could have enough parking spaces for 10 automobiles (10 units), > and rent or sell to another 20, 30, or more people that did not own vehicles. > I believe TCF (or another bank) has a home loan for people that do not own > vehicles. The average operating cost of a vehicle is $10,000 a year. Banks are > willing to give you more money to purchase a home if you do not have the > expense of a vehicle. These building would also be great locations for Car > Share Programs. Promoting development of building for people that do not own > vehicles will help to increase home ownership and reduce congestion. > > I am prepared to be attacked for making this proposal on the list. But, many > major city residents do not own automobiles and live very good lives. I just > returned from Chicago and stayed in a beautiful condo, close to Lincoln Park > and did not need a car during my three day stay. We walked, used the train, > bus, and the occasional late night cab. The building I stayed in did not have > enough parking spaces for all the condo owners. It was a 26 story building > that had about 40 parking spaces, and about 150 bike spaces. I found condo > prices in Chicago to be competitive or even cheaper then Minneapolis. Our > friend said, "that is because high rise condos are not unique in Chicago", > many of the neighborhoods have them. > > In the future I hope we can say the same for Minneapolis. > > Ken Bradley > > Kennny Neighborhood > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses. > REMINDERS: > 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If > you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at > [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. > > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > > For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html > For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract > ________________________________ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn > E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls > > REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
