In New York’s hidden places, finding room to build

[hrmjustin]

Dana Rubinstein

Mayor Bill de Blasio doesn’t think you can get anywhere worth getting in the city’s affordable housing crisis without building a much taller, denser metropolis.

He said as much in February, during a closed-door meeting with the city’s biggest real estate lobby, the Real Estate Board of New York ("It's going to take a willingness to use height and density to the maximum feasible extent. ... I don't have a hang-up about it”).

And de Blasio's deputy mayor for housing and economic development, Alicia Glen, said as much again on Wednesday, when she previewed the housing plan that de Blasio was supposed to unveil on Thursday, before he abruptly cleared his calendar to make way for a labor-agreement announcement.

"For so long, density has been a bad word amongst urban planners," said Glen. "But now we're realizing that density when done right is our great, great advantage. It's what drives what a good friend of mine often calls the 'infrastructure of opportunity.'"

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/real-estate/2014/05/8544690/new-yorks-hidden-places-finding-room-build

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. It makes sense to go higher. Suburbs are so 20th century.

But the Not-in-my-neighborhood folk oppose it, and it will require re-engineering the way we move.

[hrmjustin]

2. My church is trying to get permission to build on our parking lot.

[Agnosticsherbet]

3. When ther eis less space to spand out, we need to change the way we use the space we have.

Using the parking lot is a good idea, as long as they don't force the cars to park elsewhere.

[hrmjustin]

4. Well the lot is not used much except by the clergy so it is not an issue.

Getting permission to build is thd issue.