|
30
years later, no high rises still good policy for Key West
Regarding Katha Sheehan's
(and the mayor's) highrise solution, the idea that big buildings in the
middle of the island will solve the affordable housing crisis is like a
stopped clock. It's broken.
The Santa Clara condos
along with the numerous Salt Ponds developments haven't solved the
problem. How many more of these structures, how massive, how tall, will
be the solution? How will these impact our quality of life?
I joined with Bill
Westray in the early 1970s to form a movement called "No Hi-Rise on the
Keys."
A 17-story highrise was
to be constructed where the present-day Winn-Dixie is located. We were
told by the developer about all the property tax revenue this building
would generate.
It sounded good, but our
studies showed that big buildings never pay their way when it comes to
infrastructure costs, ie. sewer, water, electric, garbage, traffic,
firefighting equipment and more. Every building increases costs for
everyone else. I guess I was an "environmental protester."
No doubt if we could
start from scratch, we might want to do a better job of planning any
city.
The votes were cast and
laws approved that resulted in our present-day Key West long before the
1980s. Don't blame Jimmy!
Frankly, in general
(other than the roosters) I like Key West just the way it is.
The answer to affordable
housing within Key West is that there will probably never be an answer.
For people anywhere in
the country earning what Key West employees earn, housing is
unaffordable. Studies show that even in the lowest-cost areas of the
country, workers need to earn triple the minimum wage to call their
housing affordable.
Nobody is going to enjoy
the Keys on a beerdrinker's salary until the next Depression.
I said it 30 years ago
and I'll say it again: "No Hi-Rise on the Keys."
Bill Kight
Key West
Changing city height limit is exercise in denial
I love this town. It is
dysfunctional enough to make me feel at ease as I creep towards
senility. However, the city's plan to change the city charter to "build
higher" has me wondering if this concept is senile, or is it just me.
This perception reminds
me of some obese people's remedy for their weight problem. Some fat
people think they can solve their weight problem by buying larger pants.
With larger pants, their clothes look more fashionable and they feel
more comfortable. Problem solved.
I don't like the concept
of changing charters because it implies new visions of Key West. I like
Key West struggling to remain its old self, struggling to fit into those
tight jeans.
It doesn't matter how
tall the buildings grow in Key West. If we had 50-story highrises like
in Miami, you know what, Key West will still have an affordable housing
problem because more people will be needed to sustain the height.
Leave the charter alone.
Changing the charter isn't fair to the citizens of Key West and it
saddens me. Building taller reminds me of a married couple who have been
together for years. Then one morning, over coffee, one of the couple
says to the other, "Remember those wedding vows we swore to years ago?
Well I'd like to change a couple of those vows because ... "
Jim Simmen
Key
West |
