Urban-style living in GA's second cities

[aries4118]

Savannah.

[aboutmetro]

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

I can see how there could be some truth to that; I think there are multiple variables to consider when making a decision on whether to build up or not.


Its hard to give a general answer as to what the total sq-ft cost of a 5 story building is; I can tell you when you get above 3 stories, that is when the cost really begins to accelerate.

Is that because there are fewer firms that are experienced to deal with the engineering and practices (cranes, etc) that are required?

[aboutmetro]

BRAC growth & timelines

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by aboutmetro

Is that because there are fewer firms that are experienced to deal with the engineering and practices (cranes, etc) that are required?

Not necessarily, although that does come into play. The codes require different materials and construction methods once you exceed three stories on most types of buildings.

It depends on the building classification also.

[aboutmetro]

Columbus is re-doing some of its older 'housing projects'. Some of the results are a huge improvement. With public-private partnership, the Housing Authority is demolishing the old pre-war apartment homes and building garden-style apartments. Image below:
http://www.integral-online.com/themes/integraltheme/images/project_profiles/PeabodyHomes.jpg (broken link)
Unfortunately, they're missing a golden opportunity to build more urban style mixed-use and vertical residential which requires less land and provides more housing near employment centers requiring less fuel thus smog, commute times, and so on. In short, good urban planning... The city is facing serious air quality issues. This particular development is on what should some-day become a commuter rail line. But anyway, it is in an area that is convenient to major employment areas, schools and shopping. The government of all 'developers' should lead the way in good urban design and not allow such low expectations to persist in infill development.

Regarding infill development of vertical residential and true mixed-use developments in Columbus, a representative from the Boulevard Group, a consultant used by the Columbus Housing Authority, said this:

"I just wanted to let you know that the designs for the Arbor Pointe and Ashley Stations are what we felt was most appropriate for the market. Cutting-edge urban development was not really what this market wanted. With short commutes, few folks are willing to live in denser (more urban) housing. It is just a different style of living, not better or worse. As the town grows in size, it is likely that the inner city will become a better market for more dense housing in the styles that you describe. We did consider other styles, but just determined that the product was not as marketable.

As for mixed-use, you asked about commercial and retail development on the sites. Yes, land is preserved on both the Ashley Station and Arbor Pointe sites to enable the development of commercial/retail businesses, as the market grows."

It's unclear how the consultant determined that 'cutting edge urban development' was not what the market 'wanted'.

[aboutmetro]

Originally Posted by aboutmetro

BRAC growth & timelines

This was meant to be in the thread re: BRAC and Kia in metro Columbus... sorry.