uHome uCity comments in Post Dispatch piece
Comments on the above article in the Post Dispatch
AnAmericanFlag January 22, 2010 12:08AM CST
Green = Liberal Handout to Minorities
Big T Machine January 22, 2010 12:26AM CST
Wow, I can't think of too many neighborhoods worse than this one to build new homes. Back in the late 80s, St. Louis County decided to put its police academy a few blocks north of this site as a measure to help stabilize the neighborhood. The result: Crime is still high, more houses are dilapidated, and the Wellston School District is dissolving. If these do-gooders really wanted to do something impressive, they should move this project on the south end of U. City near its border with Clayton.
Big T Machine January 22, 2010 12:29AM CST
I also wanted to add, the designers should include boarded up windows, leaning porches, and overgrown weeds to fit in and maintain the current feel and charm of the surrounding neighborhood. It would be wise for the yet to be established UHome Neighborhood Association to consider paying for around the clock armed security. I’m guessing any cost savings from the “green” amenities and tax credits would be lost on security, increased home and car insurance rates, and replacing the stolen and damaged property insurance won’t cover.
apache January 22, 2010 4:56AM CST
They have to be kidding!! The area named is about as dangerous as you can get. If one would run a computer scan of crime activities in that area in the last twenty five years, it would fill a book. Eastgate, Westgate, Sutter & Olive, are high crime areas, and of course Wellston boarders that area. The County Police Academy has a fence around it. Now, why would they want to fence in a Police Academy? Washinton U, is tring to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. There have been more homicides deaths in that area than you can imagine. Lenders beware, its not a area you want to be on a cloudy day, muck less after sun down.
mcglurk January 22, 2010 7:09AM CST
"Green = Liberal Handout to Minorities"hmmmm, the ignorance in that comment is profound, and to drape it in our American flag and values, now that is selfish and downright mean.It is a step up in human dignity to help other people and to do what we can to honor and respect the earth we live on. And I say this as a staunch conservative. It is sad indeed that these so called conservatives who hide behind a false notion of what a true conservative philosophy means. Pathetic really. These are just mean selfish people.
supersleuth January 22, 2010 8:00AM CST
I see the crazies are out in full force this morning.
supersleuth January 22, 2010 8:04AM CST
So according to the comments so far, the best idea to make a bad area better is to....leave it alone, wish it away, and perpetuate the negative images that others may (falsely) have about it. If this is such a bad idea, what genius ideas do you guys have to get this neighborhood back on its feet (and no, "firebomb it" is not an acceptable answer)
jjk January 22, 2010 8:07AM CST
If green is so great, why do we always have to pay people to do it?
Big T Machine January 22, 2010 8:37AM CST
Supersleuth, I have no false perceptions about this neighborhood. I know this neighborhood well and what I said about crime and the condition of the homes there are true. Since you ruled out firebombs, how about a few daisy cutters or MOABs? I would recommend dissolving the City of Wellston and then having the St. Louis County Police Dept. take over patrol. The incompetent Wellston government has done nothing to enforce codes or raze houses that are no longer structurally sound. The Wellston Police Department is ineffective and had corruption issues in the past.
supersleuth January 22, 2010 8:45AM CST
This isn't in the city of wellston. This is in University City. But thanks for offering your twisted opinion on how law enforcement should operate. If you think the StlCo cops alone can fix what ails Wellston you're kidding yourself. Also, razing houses costs money, which Wellston has none of.
Brian L January 22, 2010 8:47AM CST
So, the choices I see are this:A) do nothing, let the neighborhood continue to deteriorate, have these five empty lots that provide no tax income to the city and act as a shelter for crime...orB) Do something, have people buy the houses, create new construction jobs in the area to build the homes, and provide a tax income source to U-City and the county (after the tax abatement ends in 8 years, to be fair)...And the loonies choose choice A.
Dano1 January 22, 2010 8:51AM CST
I'm sick and tired of all of the handouts given by taxpayers. The taxpayers were not asked to give, but forced to give through the government by legal robbery. Is robbery moral?If they can do something without using taxpayer funds to help private entities, I'm all for it. Forget the "greater good" argument as the "greater good" is different depending on whom you speak with. My recommendation would be for U. City to raze all condemned properties and for interested parties to buy these city owned properties directly from U. City for market value. Another issue is that real estate tax rates may be relatively high due to the lower values of all properties. The reason is that all services like police, fire, and education are somewhat fixed costs, yet still have to be paid for.
Big T Machine January 22, 2010 9:05AM CST
Superslueth, this is one block from Wellston.
DollarBill January 22, 2010 9:32AM CST
I for one hope that this is a success and goodness spreads from the construction of these houses. If this is such a good idea, then they should be able to easily seek private financing for the project. Doesn't WashU have some extra money they could provide for funding? Heck they could reap the benefits of the interest income, as long as the project is a success.
mind January 22, 2010 10:01AM CST
I like the idea, but the banks are right that $200,000 in this neighborhood is too expensive and will never sell. The students and faculty are a bit foolish in thinking the energy savings in a 2-3 bedroom home will offset the increased cost of the house. They should scale down the plans to make them cheaper.-U City resident and LEED AP
AnAmericanFlag January 22, 2010 12:08AM CST
Green = Liberal Handout to Minorities
Big T Machine January 22, 2010 12:26AM CST
Wow, I can't think of too many neighborhoods worse than this one to build new homes. Back in the late 80s, St. Louis County decided to put its police academy a few blocks north of this site as a measure to help stabilize the neighborhood. The result: Crime is still high, more houses are dilapidated, and the Wellston School District is dissolving. If these do-gooders really wanted to do something impressive, they should move this project on the south end of U. City near its border with Clayton.
Big T Machine January 22, 2010 12:29AM CST
I also wanted to add, the designers should include boarded up windows, leaning porches, and overgrown weeds to fit in and maintain the current feel and charm of the surrounding neighborhood. It would be wise for the yet to be established UHome Neighborhood Association to consider paying for around the clock armed security. I’m guessing any cost savings from the “green” amenities and tax credits would be lost on security, increased home and car insurance rates, and replacing the stolen and damaged property insurance won’t cover.
apache January 22, 2010 4:56AM CST
They have to be kidding!! The area named is about as dangerous as you can get. If one would run a computer scan of crime activities in that area in the last twenty five years, it would fill a book. Eastgate, Westgate, Sutter & Olive, are high crime areas, and of course Wellston boarders that area. The County Police Academy has a fence around it. Now, why would they want to fence in a Police Academy? Washinton U, is tring to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. There have been more homicides deaths in that area than you can imagine. Lenders beware, its not a area you want to be on a cloudy day, muck less after sun down.
mcglurk January 22, 2010 7:09AM CST
"Green = Liberal Handout to Minorities"hmmmm, the ignorance in that comment is profound, and to drape it in our American flag and values, now that is selfish and downright mean.It is a step up in human dignity to help other people and to do what we can to honor and respect the earth we live on. And I say this as a staunch conservative. It is sad indeed that these so called conservatives who hide behind a false notion of what a true conservative philosophy means. Pathetic really. These are just mean selfish people.
supersleuth January 22, 2010 8:00AM CST
I see the crazies are out in full force this morning.
supersleuth January 22, 2010 8:04AM CST
So according to the comments so far, the best idea to make a bad area better is to....leave it alone, wish it away, and perpetuate the negative images that others may (falsely) have about it. If this is such a bad idea, what genius ideas do you guys have to get this neighborhood back on its feet (and no, "firebomb it" is not an acceptable answer)
jjk January 22, 2010 8:07AM CST
If green is so great, why do we always have to pay people to do it?
Big T Machine January 22, 2010 8:37AM CST
Supersleuth, I have no false perceptions about this neighborhood. I know this neighborhood well and what I said about crime and the condition of the homes there are true. Since you ruled out firebombs, how about a few daisy cutters or MOABs? I would recommend dissolving the City of Wellston and then having the St. Louis County Police Dept. take over patrol. The incompetent Wellston government has done nothing to enforce codes or raze houses that are no longer structurally sound. The Wellston Police Department is ineffective and had corruption issues in the past.
supersleuth January 22, 2010 8:45AM CST
This isn't in the city of wellston. This is in University City. But thanks for offering your twisted opinion on how law enforcement should operate. If you think the StlCo cops alone can fix what ails Wellston you're kidding yourself. Also, razing houses costs money, which Wellston has none of.
Brian L January 22, 2010 8:47AM CST
So, the choices I see are this:A) do nothing, let the neighborhood continue to deteriorate, have these five empty lots that provide no tax income to the city and act as a shelter for crime...orB) Do something, have people buy the houses, create new construction jobs in the area to build the homes, and provide a tax income source to U-City and the county (after the tax abatement ends in 8 years, to be fair)...And the loonies choose choice A.
Dano1 January 22, 2010 8:51AM CST
I'm sick and tired of all of the handouts given by taxpayers. The taxpayers were not asked to give, but forced to give through the government by legal robbery. Is robbery moral?If they can do something without using taxpayer funds to help private entities, I'm all for it. Forget the "greater good" argument as the "greater good" is different depending on whom you speak with. My recommendation would be for U. City to raze all condemned properties and for interested parties to buy these city owned properties directly from U. City for market value. Another issue is that real estate tax rates may be relatively high due to the lower values of all properties. The reason is that all services like police, fire, and education are somewhat fixed costs, yet still have to be paid for.
Big T Machine January 22, 2010 9:05AM CST
Superslueth, this is one block from Wellston.
DollarBill January 22, 2010 9:32AM CST
I for one hope that this is a success and goodness spreads from the construction of these houses. If this is such a good idea, then they should be able to easily seek private financing for the project. Doesn't WashU have some extra money they could provide for funding? Heck they could reap the benefits of the interest income, as long as the project is a success.
mind January 22, 2010 10:01AM CST
I like the idea, but the banks are right that $200,000 in this neighborhood is too expensive and will never sell. The students and faculty are a bit foolish in thinking the energy savings in a 2-3 bedroom home will offset the increased cost of the house. They should scale down the plans to make them cheaper.-U City resident and LEED AP
posted by RR at
1/23/2010
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