Fake cities to replace real cities?
The WSJ had a fascinating story yesterday about the rise of mini-cities as a means by which to combat sprawl. Even though these faux downtowns contain tinges of suburbia, they're taking advantage of a growing backlash against the sprawl that rings Dallas and other U.S.…
What happens after the Baby Boomers?
What happens after the Baby Boomers? There is an awful lot of discussion about the impending retirement of the Baby Boomer generation and the impact that they are and will continue to have on the real estate market. I noted it here a little while…
Part of Hollymead Town Center property to be sold
One million dollars. Per acre. Wow. What does this sale mean for the future of this development? David Hendrick has the scoop and CvilleTomorrow pointed me to the story.
What will 29 look like in 5 years?
CvilleTomorrow has an excellent summary of the recent North Pointe hearing, highlighted (in my opinion) by Supervisor Ken Boyd's question; “I have [a question] for staff and the applicant. On the one side you feel like you have met the neighborhood principles, and staff says…
Links for 12 May 2006
Population data (HT: Business Pundit) Charlottesville ("and surrounding area") is #90 Charlottesville is the 39th "Smartest Place to Live" per Kiplinger's Personal Finance. North Pointe saga continues. As reported by Cville Tomorrow. My reports say that those in favor of the project moving forward far…
Locked Out
Tying into the Jane Jacobs story is the Free Enterprise Forum's "Locked Out" report, released yesterday. From their press release: The “Locked Out” report finds that just 16% of Albemarle homes are available to families earning median income. The report also finds Albemarle County has…
Urban Planning … gone wrong?
On the heels of Jane Jacobs', author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, comes this excellent commentary from Leonard Gilroy who says simply that we have it all wrong when it comes to urban planning. But if they go back and reread…
Too much retail in CharlAlbemarle?
SELC thinks so. The 19 page PDF makes for fairly interesting reading. When I finish it, I'll post more. With soaring gas prices, maybe that trip to Short Pump won't be so appealing and staying home to shop will be more economical. What do you…
How will fuel prices affect development?
In many, many ways. My prediction is that telecommuting and higher-density developments will become much more prominent in the next five to ten years, due the forces of economics and necessity. What incentive will people have to commute great distances for their jobs? QandO reports…
5th Street/Avon Road coming soon?
If only ... A major feature of the project will be a developer-funded public road that will link Fifth Street and Avon Street Extended, a connection that the County is eager to see—especially now that the massive Biscuit Run development has County drivers fretting about…