Why are we all in a hurry to see things get built?

the urban politician · #1 Posted: **Apr 19, 2008, 3:11 AM**

One of the overwhelming themes I've observed on these forums is the theme of urgency. I myself am guilty of this, but I find it interesting.

Some of us are very patient, but some of the most common comments/questions I hear everywhere are:

1) Why is construction so slow?
2) Do you think (insert project) will begin construction this month? This year?
3) When is it going to get approved so we can start construction?
4) When does it go vertical?
5) When do they erect the crane?
6) How many projects will get built this year?
7) When do they plan on opening the sales center?

But my pressing question is this: why?

Why are we all so restless? Unless a project fails financially, it's going up, and you'll eventually get to enjoy it. What are we afraid of?

kenratboy · #2 Posted: **Apr 19, 2008, 5:45 AM**

A lot of projects do not get built

Staring at pictures on the internet is VERY slow (years...is like centuries!)

Because this is a site for skyscraper fanboys, so we want to see them!

JJG · #3 Posted: **Apr 20, 2008, 1:41 AM**

My town (Ft. Worth) has so much land and soooooo much potential for several projects. But all the good ones always get shot down. That's why we're stuck with this....

... virtually the same skyline from 1988.
Just a few years ago, our city had the chane to get two towers that could have been the new tallest in the city. One of them would have been in the top ten of the tallest in Texas (say that 5 times fast....). BUT, as usual, they got shot down.

Fort Worth has some good street level projects. But our downtown is already pedestrian friendly.... so why not a skyscraper boom like Austin, or some of the other cities ? All Fort Worth is getting right now are some mini towers, a new hotel tower (the first new one in decades), and a bunch of "don't get your hopes ups".
At least we still have the Trinity River Vision , the biggest project going right now... but it wont be finnished in years....

jodelli · #4 Posted: **Apr 20, 2008, 2:36 AM**

I would like to not have to travel 2-300 miles to experience a dense, thriving urban environment.
That sounds almost pornographic, doesn't it?

My area has some of that but in somewhat disconnected pockets.

jodelli

DowntownCharlieBrown · #5 Posted: **Apr 20, 2008, 2:42 AM**

Once a construction starts, I am in no hurry to see it completed. I enjoy watching it during this phase. However, as mentioned above, there are too many proposals that never make it to construction phase. So a sign on the site saying "coming soon..." or a "new fence around the lot" may make it seem like construction is near. However as I have seen before, this is no guarantee the project is moving forward. So I do get very antsy leading up to a shovel in the ground and I may ask " anyone see any movement at ....."

OhioGuy · #6 Posted: **Apr 20, 2008, 10:39 PM**

Because who wants to waste a decade or more of their lives waiting for a subway to be built that they can take from downtown LA to the sea?

Because who wants to waste a decade or more of their lives waiting for a tunnel to be built so that Seattle's waterfront can be opened up to the downtown.

Because who wants to waste a decade or more of their lives waiting for a direct rail connection between Dulles airport and downtown DC?

Because who wants to waste a decade or more of their lives waiting for a 2nd Ave subway to be built so that they aren't crammed onto the 4th Ave subway?

Obviously I'm focusing here exclusively on transportation issues, but the snails pace at which improvements are made in transportation is one of the most frustrating issues for me.

the urban politician · #7 Posted: **Apr 21, 2008, 2:19 PM**

^ Good points, but as you sort of said, your focus is more on transportation.

And to be honest, impatience with transportation projects makes plenty of sense to me--there are practical implications at stake for people.

My question was mostly about highrise/midrise building projects. What's the rush?

Not to get all deep, but I think our mortality figures into this somehow..

peanut gallery · #8 Posted: **Apr 21, 2008, 5:53 PM**

The projects I'm anxious to see get started in SF are 45 Lansing, The Californian and the second One Rincon Hill tower. Why? Because I'm running out of new angles to shoot the other projects in my part of town, all of which are also quickly approaching completion. Plus, I need those to bridge the time until the Transbay and Piano towers get started. It's purely because of my personal interest in photographing new construction projects. Of course, I want to see the resulting enhancements to the skyline. But that will come in time and I can wait for it.

trvlr70 · #9 Posted: **Apr 21, 2008, 5:58 PM**

Patience IS a virtue....just not one of mine.

AndrewK · #10 Posted: **Apr 21, 2008, 10:26 PM**

similarly to pg, i want those towers to be built in the near future because as it stands, there is only one tower (one rincon hill 1) in a neighborhood with several more planned, and it looks dominating and out of place on its own, and gives the nimbys something to complain about. once it is has been surrounded by a cluster of towers it will be seen as a true extension of downtown and not an eyesore.

JJG · #11 Posted: **Apr 22, 2008, 1:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trvlr70

Patience IS a virtue....just not one of mine.

DITTO

FerrariEnzo · #12 Posted: **Apr 25, 2008, 3:35 PM**

The reason we are all here is because humans have a weird obsession with altering their invorment. Demonstrate our progress and know how. Thats why we ask all the questions and demand the information.

Tom In Chicago · #13 Posted: **Apr 25, 2008, 4:09 PM**

Because life is too short. . .

JDRCRASH · #14 Posted: **Apr 25, 2008, 4:18 PM**

I'm with DCB; I like the process of seeing it get built. Its the process of approvals that I don't like.

mhays · #15 Posted: **Apr 26, 2008, 10:39 PM**

I want Seattle to become a better city, preferably right away. This is partially for myself, and partially because I care what other people think.

Actually I have realistic ideas about how much will get built, how long things take, etc. That comes from about 27 years of nerdiness about this stuff (I'm 39) and 11 years pursuing and tracking projects for a general contractor.

HowardL · #16 Posted: **Apr 26, 2008, 11:44 PM**

I find that my own ignorance of process leads to impatience. Whether it's the Chicago Spire or the announcement of a new NASA/ESA mission, the lack of detail and seeming enormity of the time frame make me want to be at the point where I can understand what's going on (ie, hi-res photos of Titan or seeing a core going vertical)

Slurry wall construction or a Venus flyby gravity assist are just so 'mundane' until the details become more clear. Patience for me sets in when I start to understand the journey. A visit to JPL's site or a HarryC photo post and the journey starts to reveal itself and the antsy-ness subsides. A bit.