Martin, I agree with most of what you say, but apartment developers don't drive the market, demand drives the market. Builders can only build what people want, or they go out of business. Apartments are a leading economic indicator of first time home buyers. Affordable housing is being built in many cities, once again, due to demand. The permitting process is onerous, in many places; you don't get to just "build" without any vetting. What do you suggest the process should be?
Writing is a way to record a personal conversation - with yourself. It is a tool for introspection, a way to delve into your thoughts and feelings, and make sense of them, and then to chart your course forward in life, and to change our own opinions.
In this time we are badly abusing our language. So many words are thrown at us for their emotional impact only, not based in any current reality. For our own safety and well being we need to recognize the danger we are in when words and labels are thrown at us, words denouncing others, making us hate and fear them, when the labels have no real meaning now. For example many Cubans came to the United States after Castro took power on January 1, 1959. They were truly and rationally afraid for their lives under his communist regime, as many of their friends and family were arrested, jailed, and killed. To use the word “communist” in 2025 to scare them into compliance is both false and cruel. Ask yourself “is that label or denunciation really relevant now”?
Using your own words, your own thoughts, and in your own handwringing or printing, write your answers to the following questions. Your own words. Your own thoughts. Your own hand.
What makes America America?
What does living in America mean to me and my family?
Also, your statement " developers picking up distressed properties, and repurposing them. "
Have you seen what happens if this isn't done? Go to East Cleveland, or St. Louis, or Gary Indiana, or Youngstown Ohio. Now, look at the result where properties are fixed up: Brooklyn, NY......remember how it looked in the 1970's? Some parts of Baltimore. and Cincinnati ( Over The Rhine area). These areas are now attracting the community, who come and spend money that benefits the city. Once again, Martin; what do you suggest as an alternative?
Look, I agree with a lot of what you espouse. But often people get the process and purpose of re-development and re-gentrification wrong.
I would be interested in hearing your alternative roadmap(s).
Martin, I agree with most of what you say, but apartment developers don't drive the market, demand drives the market. Builders can only build what people want, or they go out of business. Apartments are a leading economic indicator of first time home buyers. Affordable housing is being built in many cities, once again, due to demand. The permitting process is onerous, in many places; you don't get to just "build" without any vetting. What do you suggest the process should be?
Writing is a way to record a personal conversation - with yourself. It is a tool for introspection, a way to delve into your thoughts and feelings, and make sense of them, and then to chart your course forward in life, and to change our own opinions.
In this time we are badly abusing our language. So many words are thrown at us for their emotional impact only, not based in any current reality. For our own safety and well being we need to recognize the danger we are in when words and labels are thrown at us, words denouncing others, making us hate and fear them, when the labels have no real meaning now. For example many Cubans came to the United States after Castro took power on January 1, 1959. They were truly and rationally afraid for their lives under his communist regime, as many of their friends and family were arrested, jailed, and killed. To use the word “communist” in 2025 to scare them into compliance is both false and cruel. Ask yourself “is that label or denunciation really relevant now”?
Using your own words, your own thoughts, and in your own handwringing or printing, write your answers to the following questions. Your own words. Your own thoughts. Your own hand.
What makes America America?
What does living in America mean to me and my family?
Why did my ancestors come to America?
Also, your statement " developers picking up distressed properties, and repurposing them. "
Have you seen what happens if this isn't done? Go to East Cleveland, or St. Louis, or Gary Indiana, or Youngstown Ohio. Now, look at the result where properties are fixed up: Brooklyn, NY......remember how it looked in the 1970's? Some parts of Baltimore. and Cincinnati ( Over The Rhine area). These areas are now attracting the community, who come and spend money that benefits the city. Once again, Martin; what do you suggest as an alternative?
Look, I agree with a lot of what you espouse. But often people get the process and purpose of re-development and re-gentrification wrong.
I would be interested in hearing your alternative roadmap(s).