Beltline: Legitimate Concerns or Paranoia? (Atlanta, Washington: rent, insurance, crimes)

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

You have to wonder how this section of the Beltline qualified as "blighted."

O4W was really quite rough even just 5 years ago, "Ponce City Market" was just a gigantic building that mostly sat rotting and was an eye-sore. It was definitely blighted, and it is amazing how far it has come.

As for the original question: Even if the entire length of the Beltline is built out in the next few years, we will not see the entire city gentrified. But even for the original residents of gentrified neighborhoods, they usually end up better off than they were before.

[ATLJR]

@ jsvh

You're absolutely right. I knew this link would come in handy soon:

The Gentrification Puzzle - Richard Florida - The Atlantic Cities

Obviously as areas become more in demand and vacant lots disappear, reducing the supply that can come to market, pricing is going to go up. This is not a bad thing either, this is simply what happens when areas become in demand. One way to combat this is to allow the neighborhoods to achieve higher density, but NIMBYism can be strong and keep supply down.

But what is affordable? Even Atlanta's higher rents in town are on the low end of other major, desirable cities. So in that regard, Atlanta is very affordable. I think what happens often is that people want a SFH, in a desirable area, on a decent lot and then are surprised when that 4-bedroom home in Virginia Highland isn't within their means.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ATLJR

But what is affordable? Even Atlanta's higher rents in town are on the low end of other major, desirable cities. So in that regard, Atlanta is very affordable.

I understand that, but I'm not sure $1400 a month for a one bedroom apartment is what most people had in mind when the Beltline's Affordable Housing Trust started passing out $2 million grants to developers.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by ATLondoner

Thats an unfair comparison surely....Bayonne is maybe 12 miles from Manhattan? PCM is a mile from Midtown.

How much is a (one bed) property similar to those found in PCM which is located on Manhattan? Must be over $2.5k a month at a guess.

No, not really. New York is also considerably larger and the apartment practically sits on top of the train station.

[Box]

Originally Posted by jsvh

O4W was really quite rough even just 5 years ago, "Ponce City Market" was just a gigantic building that mostly sat rotting and was an eye-sore. It was definitely blighted, and it is amazing how far it has come.

As for the original question: Even if the entire length of the Beltline is built out in the next few years, we will not see the entire city gentrified. But even for the original residents of gentrified neighborhoods, they usually end up better off than they were before.

Current residents shouldn't have to settle just so new folks can move in, but that's just my opinion.

[AtlJan]

Aren't property values rising a good thing? Should we not add amenities to our city (i.e. the beltline) because it might cause gentrification? I'm only seeing positives here.

[bryantm3]

this is an extremely valid and important concern. there isn't enough affordable housing, and if progress isn't made on that front immediately, lower income people will be priced out of the area. take a look at the area around old fourth ward park, for example. they didn't move fast enough and now it's 90% developed, and none of the units are affordable.

realistically, we need to find a way to make affordable housing (mixed income, of course) something that the private industry does and not the city; make it economically feasible and get them involved.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by AtlJan

Aren't property values rising a good thing? Should we not add amenities to our city (i.e. the beltline) because it might cause gentrification? I'm only seeing positives here.

if you consider the poor and minorities being priced out of their own neighbourhoods a good thing, yeah, it's frocking fantastic.

[cqholt]

realistically, we need to find a way to make affordable housing (mixed income, of course) something that the private industry does and not the city; make it economically feasible and get them involved.

Eg: Villages of East Lake.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by Box

Current residents shouldn't have to settle just so new folks can move in, but that's just my opinion.

What do you mean "settle"? If their house is worth more, why shouldn't they "cash out" if they want? Neighborhoods are always changing. People should be allowed to live where they choose.