^no, that was tax abatements for the Alexan to include 'affordable' studios (about $850 a month) on the lower floors. Now $850 a month (supposedly that was to be total expenses including utilities) would be right up my alley and still allow me to keep saving for my own place, but I guess since I'm not destitute, making a little below the median income in MultCo, I guess Randy didn't think it important to ensure there is housing in the central city I could afford too, as either I make too much, or too little.
The reality is, is that with luxury housing taking over, we have to build 'affordable' middle income housing too. People, especially people on the city council think affordable housing should be reserved for the single mother cashier at Safeway and not for the 'creative class' mass that really makes up much of the vibrancy in this city. I also worry that the city councils new budgeting powers will cause the PDC to flop. The point of the PDC is the increase the value of the neighborhood, the increased property tax collection from the increased values pays back the money it took to improve the district. However, if a bunch of affordable housing for the lowest on the scale is erected, and neighborhood amenities are neglected, the PDC wont function correctly. Businesses wont move in to serve those that have nothing to spend, the quality of the buildings will be less, the neighborhood would become more of a welfare district, than a vibrant mixed income district. So, it's time to understand affordable housing isn't just for those that make 50% or less of the median income. Unfortunantly for me, the Alexan now will probably start at about $950 for a studio, not including utilities.
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make paradise, tear up a parking lot
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