To Peak or Not To Peak
The Energy Bulletin has a story regarding today's announcement by the Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) regarding what they see as the "peak oil myth." Worth reading, especially if you follow some of the links. The responses by Congressman Udall (D) and Bartlett (R) are encouraging.
Tear Downs and Rehabs
Found this at The Broken Heart. Pretty sucky that the Alderman, who has an email list of interested constituents, couldn't find the time to at least email us about this proposed demolition. Reading Paradise's comments regarding Pratt really chills me. I just walked past there on Sunday AM with one of my sisters who was here for a visit. I pointed out buildings and chatted up RP. The one we like best on Pratt has the big open porches.
I also read the article at Howard Hellhole about the loss of affordable rental housing as condos take hold.
A couple of thoughts - 1) Tear downs are not the answer. Simply adding density doesn't improve anything. 2) Diversity comes in many forms, and I would like to see more economic diversity than is currently obvious here in RP. That said, I didn't move here in search of a less expensive version of the Gold Coast, Streeterville, Andersonville, or Lakeview. I can't afford the $300K+ condos going up all over the Loop, and I say that as a fully employed individual looking to retire in 2 years. RP has a wide range of condo pricing from what I have seen just walking around. I'd like to see it continue that way. But not everyone is ready or able to buy. Keeping affordable housing is also a part of the diversity although I object to having it centralized like the projects of old. That didn't work.
A balance on many fronts, economic, racial, cultural, etc. This is what makes RP special to me. I'd hate to lose that.
1 comment:
Maybe in 10 years, assuming the price of oil gets seriously higher, the suburbanites will come racing back into the city or cluster around the Metra stops. That's when city home prices will rise and folks will really start buying. Of course all those suburban homes will tank pricewise. That's the scenario some 'peakists' have for the future, regardless of how long it takes to get there.
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