Troost Lofts

[janle]

Last night there was a report on Channel 8 about the Troost lofts that are being built in the neighborhood between Cherry Street and the BA. I found it ironic that  Cindy Morrison was so pleased that the lofts were going in after telling how many houses were being razed to make room for them. She proceeded to say what a wonderful  addition this is to this "historic" neighborhood. Doesn't she realize that once these houses are razed this neighborhood will no longer be historic?[V]

[tim huntzinger]

Nice! We wondered the same thing.  I really do not care for the design but at least they chose a fairly appropriate area for the project.

Catch the hype where Morrison said the units are going fast?  Whatever happened to just the facts, ma'am? Why not just say the builders have sold x-many units and have x-many more units on the market?

[cannon_fodder]

http://lofts.mcgrawok.com/

I presume this is what you are talking about.

While it certainly wont help the neighborhood remain historic... I think denser developments in that area are a good thing.

[janle]

They were featuring the Metro Lofts company.

"While it certainly wont help the neighborhood remain historic... I think denser developments in that area are a good thing."

Do you have something against historic neighborhoods?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by janle

Last night there was a report on Channel 8 about the Troost lofts that are being built in the neighborhood between Cherry Street and the BA. I found it ironic that  Cindy Morrison was so pleased that the lofts were going in after telling how many houses were being razed to make room for them. She proceeded to say what a wonderful  addition this is to this "historic" neighborhood. Doesn't she realize that once these houses are razed this neighborhood will no longer be historic?[V]

It's still historic. Historically, there were houses there.

[janle]

"While it certainly wont help the neighborhood remain historic... I think denser developments in that area are a good thing."

Do you have something against historic neighborhoods?

I misread your comment. sorry

[iplaw]

Wow!  Those have to be the ugliest buildings I've ever seen, and they're only $180 a square foot!  What a bargain.

[cannon_fodder]

No problem janle.

I wish historic neighborhoods all kept their property values up and the houses themselves in shape.  But too many of them become rentals with landlords that dont care, then fall into disrepair, and eventually just become slums.  A new development nearby may actually save some other homes in the neighborhood from this fate.  So I'd rather see them torn down than abandoned to disrepair, neglect, and eventual abandonment.

If a competing developer wanted to refurbish them, then I would fight to save it.

Build up - not out!

Too much coffee today, Im nearly incoherent.

[iplaw]

Tearing down Craftsman style homes to build these fugly boxes...I bet Bob Villa is spinning in his grave.

[janle]

I agree.

Does anyone have an opinion on the possibility of a city ordinance to register  landlords and require them to keep thier properties in good shape?

[janle]

Speaking of Bob Villa.
On February 8, This  Old House is airing the rehabilitation of a Craftsman Bungalow in Austin, TX with all "green" additions. Looks like a must see.

[waterboy]

Kudos for even understanding the irony. I wish someone had spoken up before former Mayor Terry whatever, tore down houses between the BA and 15th just west of Peoria to put in a walled off gated neighborhood. A few of the examples they wasted are still there just west of the development.

If they wanted to improve the Cherry Street historical ambiance and get my congratulations they could have replaced those drug infested 60's era apartments with their lofts instead of the single family rentals.

[cannon_fodder]

As always, I have an opinion:

There are currently ordinances requiring all residence/owners to keep their property at a certain level of repair.    However, these ordinances do not cover such things as how often you have to repaint your house, or having a roof that matches, or even keeping window frames from falling off.

In addition to those gaps, the ordinances are selectively enforced.  I have friends that live in new South Tulsa neighborhoods and when they call on a car int he street with no wheels (or whatever) it gets taken car of within a week.  In my midtown neighborhood the same thing (there was car on jacks with no wheels at 28th and Louisville) took over a month.  My friend who lives just North of 244 on Harvard doesnt even bother calling anymore.

Plus, at what point is it none of the government business how you chose to have your property look?

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

If they wanted to improve the Cherry Street historical ambiance and get my congratulations they could have replaced those drug infested 60's era apartments with their lofts instead of the single family rentals.

Agreed.  I saw the story and Cindy Morrison's gushing too.  I think she said the new condos START at something like $250,000.00 and are going fast.  Who is buying them?  If I had $250,000 or more to spend on a residence, I wouldn't buy one of those, but a nice single-family detached home.

[janle]

Yeah, what is up with that?