John Hood’s column today focus on Smart Growth. It begins:
The cult commonly known as the Smart Growth movement has proven to be remarkably resilient in the face of empirical adversity. When confronted with clear evidence of transit’s tiny share of the commuting market, the costly failure of downtown developments, and the continued high consumer demand for suburban lifestyles, Smart Growthers have essentially retreated to the corner, assumed the lotus position, put their hands over their ears, and chanted “if we build it, they will come.”
And just on time to support John’s contention, the Charlotte Observer offers up more evidence that mid-rise condo buildings aren’t the answer. A 19-unit townhouse project is now planned for a one-acre site in Dilworth. Developer Wendy Fields originally wanted to built a mid-rise condo building on the site but then the condo market in Charlotte crumbled. She explains:
We overbuilt the highrise, the midrise, the generic product that you take an elevator up to. (Smaller) appeals to people in this down economy. People want to feel like they can nest.
Yup. And note that a trend toward townhouses instead of condo is a big blow to the economic development vision being pushed by City Manager Curt Walton, which is based upon future condo developments along light rail and street car lines.
