Downtown Housing article

[thelakelander]

I had a devil of a time trying to get a modern design similar to those approved by the Historic Commission and SPAR design review committee for the 6th St loft project in 2005/6. I agree that such projects can fit into historic districts but from personal experience, its hard to get a COA for them locally. Just look at what Chew went through in Five Points and MM now. Klutho would probably roll over in his grave if he knew we prefer making modern buildings look like historic replicas instead of designing for our present environment and times.

[acme54321]

Don't try that in riverside/avondale!  The noise and parking issues would just be too much to bear.

[acme54321]

I had a devil of a time trying to get a modern design similar to those approved by the Historic Commission and SPAR design review committee for the 6th St loft project in 2005/6. I agree that such projects can fit into historic districts but from personal experience, its hard to get a COA for them locally. Just look at what Chew went through in Five Points and MM now. Klutho would probably roll over in his grave if he knew we prefer making modern buildings look like historic replicas instead of designing for our present environment and times.

True, it seems worse than pulling teeth around here.  Go to some forward thinking historic areas though and they prove it can work if done right, and provide another great asset to the neighborhood.

[CityLife]

You can definitely get away with some modern takes on design in Springfield. All you have to do is look at the house Content Design had approved a year or so ago (which hasn't been built yet due to financing issues). It was Klutho inspired, but also quite modern.

http://www.contentdg.com/walnut-house-certificate-of-appropriateness-application-and-ikea/

Given the state of the economy and lack of development in Springfield, I think it would be pretty easy to have something even more modern than Content Design's work approved. Certainly moreso than what Lake encountered back when the market was on the uptick.

But really, a lot of the best opportunities for dense infill are right outside the historic district boundaries.

[CityLife]

You all do raise some interesting points regarding the historic districts and new development. I'm all for preserving our historic housing stock...but do love quality urban design. Like you, I also think modern design and historic design can blend in, and I think in many cases actually accentuates the historic design.

SRG houses look great now, but will they hold up for 20 years? Do developers have to pay so much to make their designs look "historic" that they skimp  in other areas? Do the regs scare off developers or just people that want to build a modern home in an urban setting? I know that Jason Fisher at Content Design really had a tough time making the above designed house cost effective, while meeting the regs.

That would definitely be an interesting discussion regarding the overlay and its future. Heck given the city's funding issues, we may not even have any Historic Planners left in a few years. At which point, I don't know that the overlays could even be enforced.

[tufsu1]

Options are an issue. Before buying my house, I searched high and low for somewhere to stay downtown... and it is NOT affordable. The only affordable options I found where in Springfield. Yes some may agrue that 1,800 a month is afforable or "just get a roommate", but the bottom line is you have to have affordable housing if you want people downtown. Thats really the bottom line. 220 Riverside will be a start.

sorry...but 220 won't be "affordable"....that said, the Parks @ Cathedral have many townhomes that have been available for rent....with prices of around $1000 for the 2 bedroom units and $1200 for the 3 bedroom units...all are 1500+ square feet)

[vicupstate]

I had a devil of a time trying to get a modern design similar to those approved by the Historic Commission and SPAR design review committee for the 6th St loft project in 2005/6. I agree that such projects can fit into historic districts but from personal experience, its hard to get a COA for them locally. Just look at what Chew went through in Five Points and MM now. Klutho would probably roll over in his grave if he knew we prefer making modern buildings look like historic replicas instead of designing for our present environment and times.

I think SPAR, specifically Louise DeSpain, was the root cause of a lot of that.  although, you know better than I. That is not to throw stones at her.  The 'purists' have a right to their opinion.  But it seemed the city was unwilling to go against SPAR/DeSpain's wishes.   Maybe that has changed somewhat since she left?!? 

BTW, Lake, I am still labeling my Nashville pictures, which I will add to the same CD with my OKC ones.     

[simms3]

^^^Agreed.  220 will be far from affordable.  "Affordable" is a measure of many things, factoring in COL, market rents, etc etc.  220 Riverside will likely be one of the top 5 if not top 3 most expensive apartment communities in the metro.

The one-off tax abatement is a start, but isn't part of a formal public financing process or program.  Having a formal program where developers can apply for grants or abatements through the program by meeting specific guidelines would probably give the market better/more clear direction.

[CityLife]

The one-off tax abatement is a start, but isn't part of a formal public financing process or program.  Having a formal program where developers can apply for grants or abatements through the program by meeting specific guidelines would probably give the market better/more clear direction.

Agreed. The new DIA needs to devise a comprehensive downtown housing strategy and create policies and programs that will help achieve goals. A housing district TIF, tax abatements, rehab program, low/no interest financing program, and QOL improvements are starts. I'd hope that whatever staffers they have that are getting paid 6 figures, can make it happen.