Dancey Terrace Photo Tour

[simcarter]

what is "metjax"???

[Yourworstnightmare]

Actually, they are both ripoffs, oh did I say that. After seeing the Shipyards, I had to laugh. I mean really laugh. The base unit is a little over 800 sq. ft. starting at $300,000. I hate to say it but that is smaller than my garage. But I'm sure some morons will think it is a deal to live in a vacant downtown, gee you can smell the coffee factory.  To listen to the sales women describe the area it is as though you were living LA, NY, DC. I really didn't want to hang around and listen to what the association fees were, or what a boat slip costs. If anyone wants to buy a bridge in Brooklyn, let me know, have I got a deal for you.
 
Now on the other hand you have Dancey Terrace. This is a structrual accident waiting to happen. Elevated homes with dirt crawl spaces, termites love them, ah wait a few years. Land looks flat, just think of the standing water, love it. Notice the old sub-sills and floor joists, I like the way they probably have bowed. Can the builder tell you how many roof rafters were replaced. Please make sure you get a good home inspector before you buy. Just think this is another way to get people to move into the city, so you can drive out of the city to get a gallon of milk,or go shopping.

I think for all concerned it's best to leave the city as a place for business, if you can get a business in there.

Well just some food for thought, oops I have to drive out and get some !!!!

[vicupstate]

While I assume terminte treatment was done, virtually all crawl spaces are dirt that I am aware of.    How is a house with a crawl space less prone to termites than one that is built on a slab, which is directlt on the ground ?

I guess you somehow missed the fact that the Shipyards is on WATER! and that there are amenities involved.  That is what you are paying for, plus the fact that new construction is always more expensive.  Look at the Berkman, the pre-sale purchaasers have done quite well.     You are comparing apples to orange trees.  

[Neourban]

As a fellow renovator in Springfield, I have seen and heard a lot of armchair contractors and wannabe developers making judgments, but very few willing to put their money where their mouth is.  Don't get me wrong, Springfield is still very much flawed and I even chuckled at the "chicken district" observation... .However, I still believe Dancy Terrace was a missed opportunity to have a boutique-style shopping plaza which you can find on St. Simon's Island and Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. I challenge some of you Metrojax'ers to please contact the Ben Carters of the world to bring upscale to Springfield so we don't have to drive outside of our zip code  to shop...

[don]

Neourban is on the money.  Boutique style shops are a fabulous idea!  Were merchants not responding to that idea favorably?  Someone needs to get on the developer about changing his vision.  

[zoo]

Ben Carter doesn't care a squat about Springfield, or any of the other downtown neighborhoods (core included). He's too busy directing any retailer that MIGHT be interested to his SJTC, Phase II, and The Esplanade at WGV -- he's got a ton of space to fill. I haven't seen a fox, yet, that brings chickens into the henhouse...

[JJ]

Why should he care? He is a businessman not a philanthropist. He is in the business of making money. Do you think we need an Urban Outfitters, Gap or PF Changs in Springfield?

[downtownparks]

"Why should he care? He is a businessman not a philanthropist. He is in the business of making money. Do you think we need an Urban Outfitters, Gap or PF Changs in Springfield?"

They why is the Mayors office and JEDC putting in charge of the downtown retail task force? That is the wolf/chicken reference.

I personally have come to decide that I don't think our Mayor is a bad mayor, he is just extremely suburban. We, being largely urban minded are constantly at odds because when we thing about down town we think of people living, working, eat, shopping, and playing all in the same area. For someone who is suburban minded, he thinks Disney world. He wants people to come downtown to do stuff, then go home to JCP or the beaches. Come to a game, or a concert or fireworks. But you certainly dont want to get your gorceries or underwear down here!!!

That type of visioning leads to contrived ideas like "the big idea". Its not that his intentions aren't the best, its that he simply doest understand what it takes to make a thriving urban center where people can abandon their cars, and live.

[W. Walker]

WOW, some of you need to remember the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” at least until the project is done. And if you have something negative to say, try and say it in a positive way. We are all quick to throw stones, but never think about where they land.

I have personally seen previous jobs completed by both construction companies here in Ft. Lauderdale and can testify to their quality in work. As for the palm tree, as previously stated, it fell down due to the high winds...and the General Contractor called the landscaper and informed him he had planted the tree entirely too shallow and needed to come back and plant the tree properly. As much as they might like too, a GC you cannot physically be there to watch over every job done, but when a job is done incorrectly they can require the people hired to re-do a job correctly. As far as the rafters, I know they were all inspected and if needed re-bracketed for safety. While corners could be cut, it is clear that safety is being considered first. It is also important to understand they are showing the model home in order to give people an idea of what the development WILL be not what it is at the moment. The gates are not finished, nor the fencing, landscaping, parking and a million other projects. The city requires several permits to do any little thing to those houses, such as “Certificates of Appropriateness.” And that takes time. If you want to nit pick, do it once the project is completed... have you never heard "it will get worse before it gets better.”

[downtownparks]

Agreed.

As someone who has family ties to those houses (My wifes great-grand parents lived in one shortly after they were built) I am just happy to see them being worked on.

Bully for you guys, and don't worry about the naysayers.

[Adam B]

i don't think anyone is saying that they look like crap.  they are just asking too much.  i'd consider it for $125K.

[Reggie Fountain]

I love discussion - it's something that is wonderful about this neighborhood! Springfield neighbors are never shy about speaking their mind - and that is why we love it here.
You KNOW that I have to chime in about the comments that the bungalow's are "TOO EXPENSIVE". For those of you who may or may not know, I write the neighborhood article - "Springfield By The Numbers". This is a statistical view of the current real estate market in the Springfield area. These bungalows are priced at a little under $189.00 a square foot. I admit - we don't have much history as a neighborhood in that arena - HOWEVER - we have had several homes - not much larger than these, close for more than that. We also currently have MANY new construction projects and new loft conversions that are priced in the $200.00 a square foot range - so I have to defend the fact that these bungalows are expensive. What you are getting for the current price is an almost completely rebuilt home. For those of you who have actually done a rehab of an older home - you know how expensive that kind of a project is.
The current GC is doing an excellent job at doing what is appropriate for these homes. I have worked with these guys and have gotten them to make changes which are adding to the historic feel of these homes. They are keeping the original fireplaces, we've used historic tiles in the bathroom, and we are currently looking at kitchen plans to redesign the kitchen that is shown in the model. Please give these guys a chance to show you what they are doing in this truly unique spot in our great neighborhood before passing judgement.
Finally, for those of you who remember the OLD Redell Court - the current owner is really doing his best to recreate what was once a neighborhood hot spot. I live across from these bungalows and remember the gun shots and the noise that these homes once produced. I am encouraged and excited about this project and invite you to call me and come by and look at what is happening at Dancey Terrace!

[RG]

As a veteran of historic renovations, I can say that these places look very nice based on the photos above.  It costs a LOT to fix these old places after years of neglect.  It looks like they have redone the foundations, rewired, replumbed, repainted inside and out, installed central heat and air, patched walls, etc, etc, while maintaining as much historic integrity as possible.  I am impressed.  I do not feel that $189 per square foot for this finished product in this location.  And, you cannot get a fully renovated home in Riverside for the same price per square foot - that is a false statement.  All of the naysayers and whiners who are making fun of this project now will be complaining in a few years about how much everything costs now that Springfield is fully renovated.  Negative people are just negative people and rarely accomplish anything.  

[RG]

I really should proof read these posts before hitting Add.  I meant to say that I do not think that $189 per square foot for this finished product is unreasonable given the fact that the places are in move in condition.  I have seen cheaper places in Riverside, I will admit, but I do not believe they are fully renovated as these are.  I guess it all depends on what your priorities are.

[Yourworstnightmare]

I guess vi doesen't know to much about newer construction and he is very observent when he sees water , I gusee. Home Depot has some great classes for kids, hope he signs up.