Simplistic but the key element missing is jobs…
I read with interest the first article in the series that the Blade is going to do on The Urban Option. Yet as I read some of the quotes:
Rising gas and energy prices have made many Americans wary of the long commutes and large, energy-sucking homes emblematic of suburban living.
Living downtown in many major U.S. cities, or in the neighborhoods directly encircling the city center, not only saves on gas but can offer an attractive centrality of retail, entertainment, and residence, especially for an increasing number of young singles and empty-nesters.
New Urbanism endorses the creation of heterogeneous neighborhoods with a variety of shops, offices, and accessible green space while encouraging public transportation and walking.
“Higher density should create opportunity to lower energy costs,” he said. “People are going to want to live closer to the city.”
All of these statements could very well be true, yet with the exception of those who currently work downtown moving downtown? Most of the jobs in this area are not downtown. Many of the large corporations that used to be downtown have moved to the burbs which means those desiring to live closer to their jobs are going to also live in the burbs…Which is stated in this article:
Mr. Kennon of the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies said successful downtowns will find ways to attract businesses that bring employment to the city center.
“That’s where you’ve got to start,” he said. “People will move where they have to work. The economics of this are really critical.”
Many of those who work downtown have families, some with young children so the additional educational considerations as well as the American dream of home ownership of a nice fenced in yard for your children and assorted pets conflicts with Urban living. Granted many families live in urban areas, such as New York City, but in an area like Toledo where it only takes twenty minutes to get from one side of town to another, we are not talking about the hour or more long commutes some face that with the focus on energy would dictate a change in address or lifestyle.
We actually looked at moving downtown before we decided to rent where we live in South Toledo, it was something I wanted very much to do and some of the lofts are amazing but way out of our price range. We looked at the Commodore Perry, where for $825.00 a month we could rent an apartment that was smaller than the house we ended up renting that was much less expensive. It was actually much smaller than the apartment we were living with at the time in the burbs and more expensive. Even if we could get beyond the financial aspect, there was the educational one and the transportation aspect. My husband works in Monclova Township, if he or I worked downtown it might make more sense but the reality is gas prices would have to increase quite a bit to be able to offset the difference. Especially when other key components of creating an urban living situation are lacking, access to groceries, pharmacies, which logic dictates will not come first, a certain downtown residential number would have to happen before that does.
I admire the downtown pioneers, if the educational and social opportunities were the same as what my daughter has access to here in South Toledo and the financial bottom line was closer, we would mostly likely have joined them. Yet for now? We’re better off where we are here. I often walk the empty streets of downtown during the day time and I can imagine the possibilities, even during lunch time it’s possible to walk quite a distance without seeing anyone. This is especially true when the weather is cold but still true now that the days have been nicer.
It’s hard not to wonder if with continuing the focus on downtown both from a public transportation and an economic development portion if that should be our direction.
“Higher density should create opportunity to lower energy costs,”
If people are using more energy due to there being more people putting more of a demand on the system, the costs would be lower?
More demand creates higher prices.
August 10th, 2008 at 7:46 pmHigher density living arrangements are felt to be lower in energy costs than individual separate homes, that’s what that was referring too. Of course there are variables such as the energy efficiency of the mulit-family housing versus single family housing.
August 10th, 2008 at 7:51 pmThen there are variables of people leaving lights, thermostats set up high, water use, etc.
Conserving the usage is the one sure way to lower costs.
Sure, the gas consumption for consumers is lower, but then public transportation costs rise due to increased usage.
This city was not designed as some have been for city dwellers.
August 10th, 2008 at 7:56 pmI suppose the people who are interested in the preservation of Toledo should be working to create a positive downtown environment to retain the people who might otherwise continue the migration to the suburbs, but won’t be enough enticement for many.
Conservation and energy costs are certainly considerations for most people, but then they are often not among the highest priorities when deciding on where to live.
I believe that most white collar professionals – and many blue-collar folks too – who move to the burbs are willing to pay more for fuel, taxes, water, etc to ensure a quality of life for their families. I moved to Perrysburg, which is 20 miles from my office in west Toledo, rather than the 1.5 mile drive I had before I moved. But my kids are now in a better school, we live in a safer neighborhood, and my property value is more likely to increase over the long run. For me, I’m happy to trade conservation and higher energy costs for those family priorities.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:53 amRather than describe it as simplistic, it should be called what it is…basic. And that’s whats missing from this city the last 30 years, a basic understanding of what makes a city great. It’s not the flowers, bike paths, events etc. etc. It’s the people who live, work, and play in the cities that are successful. They have jobs, they have spendable income, they choose where they want it spent. Here we devise ways to separate you from your money. Things like extra levys, assessments, refuse taxes, only serve to send people away. They will come downtown for an event but then go right back to where they live.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:24 amThe urban environments that are successful are usually those where people can live and “work” in the city. High density living and public transportation are only effective when they connect people with jobs. Things like bike paths and parks are improved later as part of the “Quality of Life”.
The situation in Toledo does not appear presently to lend itself to this model. I too looked at moving downtown when I came to the city, but was stymied by the lack of something as simple as a grocery store. Perhaps there will be more and better in our future, but the present holds little enticement for a downtown move.
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August 11th, 2008 at 10:34 am“…but was stymied by the lack of something as simple as a grocery store.”
There is work coming along on what, if I remember correctly, is to be a grocery store on Madison near the Library.
Drove by it the other day and work was progressing.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:47 amFred, I used simplistic because the Blade was going to do a full series on “The Urban Option” but basic would work just as well.
This area needs jobs as that is the basic component of creating the way people live. My ex lost his job here, then lost his replacement job here and moved to Columbus, my son is on his third lay off, several of my neighbors have one spouse now out of work, I’ve been looking at re-entering the work force. I know quite a few other people who are looking for jobs or looking for better paying jobs, and that’s just within my small circle of relationships.
They all have a variety of skills and education, but the one thing they all share is they are either unemployed or under employed. It’s what I’ve said previously, it doesn’t matter how pretty we wrap up the package, it’s what is inside that matters…all too often the focus is on the wrappings.
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 amIf I were a gambler – and I’m not – my money would be on the following scenario, which I call “baby boomers revenge”. The group that as the Wall Street Journal said a few decades ago “moves through the economy like a rat through a snake”. (being the largest demographic group) Boomers rushing to live downtown? – not a chance. A few maybe, but not most.
Besides the economy, and largely because of it, boomers and many of their still living parent are trying to sell their houses as fast as possible so that they can “get out of town”. They want OUT of the jungle, and that’s precisely why we are seeing so many articles all of a sudden sort of “encouraging” the oldsters to look kindly on staying in and around cities.
This is a concerted effort nationwide, because the clock is ticking. The first wave of boomers to be starting on social security will be doing so in about a year and a half. So you see the big push in the media now – all kinds of articles about how it’s beneficial to stay in the city. See in a few years, boomers won’t need to drive to work. They can buy a couple acres in the country, sink a well, put up a manufactured home, self built cabin, or whatever, plant a garden and stay home – day after day after day. No need to buy “work clothes”, no need to commute every day, no more paying for parking or patronizing downtown restaurants for lunch. They can walk to the local general store or fishing pond/lake. Trips to “town” will be few and far between.
The banksters and city officials nationwide are painfully aware of this. One side benefit to the over-50 crowd is that in a few years it will be much easier for them to find jobs – that should help the younger crowd also… but from 2010 on those boomers who can leave the work force WILL and as soon a possible.. City planners, Mayors, Governors are all aware of this and alarmed.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:36 pmThats not as funny as ramon trying to get good jobs in the lagrange area. voter
August 11th, 2008 at 8:38 pmLisaRenee – you are right on about the jobs situation around Toledo. China has now surpassed the US as the leading manufacturer in the world. The Euro in some financial circles holds more monetary clout than the dollar. We continue to get our economic ass handed to us around the world. Politicians all talk about “JOBS” but not a one of them delivers. They just wrap it up pretty and nothing inside.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:46 pm