Comments on: What to do with empty lots? http://www.neohouston.com/2009/07/what-to-do-with-empty-lots/ advocating urbanism in the opportunity city Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:06:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: “Ghostboxes” – Off the Kuff http://www.neohouston.com/2009/07/what-to-do-with-empty-lots/#comment-365 “Ghostboxes” – Off the Kuff Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:42:52 +0000 http://www.neohouston.com/?p=1147#comment-365 [...] right now, it’s not clear that there’s much that could be done. Well, here’s one possibility in the event that demolition is an option, though I don’t know how well that would work in an [...] [...] right now, it’s not clear that there’s much that could be done. Well, here’s one possibility in the event that demolition is an option, though I don’t know how well that would work in an [...]

]]> By: KP http://www.neohouston.com/2009/07/what-to-do-with-empty-lots/#comment-364 KP Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:36:15 +0000 http://www.neohouston.com/?p=1147#comment-364 I think infill will continue. I would personally like to see some form based zoning in place. But I will probably get my form based code with my urban growth boundary/greenbelt around Houston. A boy can dream. I think infill will continue. I would personally like to see some form based zoning in place. But I will probably get my form based code with my urban growth boundary/greenbelt around Houston. A boy can dream.

]]> By: Dave Jones http://www.neohouston.com/2009/07/what-to-do-with-empty-lots/#comment-363 Dave Jones Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:54:34 +0000 http://www.neohouston.com/?p=1147#comment-363 I believe Houston has unlimited potential with the large number of vacant lots throughout its downtown. It amazes me that there are corner lots in the urban core that are undeveloped. That being said, I agree that there would be significant public outcry if a park was built via a public/private agreement that could later be removed. However, I think the main problem here is twofold. First, is the absolute lack of informing the public about the agreement. Too many times I have seen good public/private agreements get lambasted due to the public claiming they were not told it was going to change. The second is the lack of interest from the general public. Most people don't really care what is going on until they feel their investment is going to be effected. It's a problem that has simply gotten worse over time. One approach I have seen work was in the Curtis park neighborhood (Denver's 1st street car suburb, 1 mile from downtown) in Denver. The property owner was getting heat from the neighborhood association regarding maintenance of the property and stated he simply didn't have the money to maintain it in the current economy. They came to us at the graduate school for advice and we suggested a 5 year lease for a neighborhood garden, directly between the association and the property owner, would benefit all parties involved. This was 3 years ago and I just found out recently they have extended the lease another 5 years. This addresses all the issues of providing and being informed. Definitely not perfect, but one of the best idea I have heard of for empty urban lots. I believe Houston has unlimited potential with the large number of vacant lots throughout its downtown. It amazes me that there are corner lots in the urban core that are undeveloped.

That being said, I agree that there would be significant public outcry if a park was built via a public/private agreement that could later be removed. However, I think the main problem here is twofold. First, is the absolute lack of informing the public about the agreement. Too many times I have seen good public/private agreements get lambasted due to the public claiming they were not told it was going to change. The second is the lack of interest from the general public. Most people don’t really care what is going on until they feel their investment is going to be effected. It’s a problem that has simply gotten worse over time.

One approach I have seen work was in the Curtis park neighborhood (Denver’s 1st street car suburb, 1 mile from downtown) in Denver. The property owner was getting heat from the neighborhood association regarding maintenance of the property and stated he simply didn’t have the money to maintain it in the current economy. They came to us at the graduate school for advice and we suggested a 5 year lease for a neighborhood garden, directly between the association and the property owner, would benefit all parties involved. This was 3 years ago and I just found out recently they have extended the lease another 5 years.

This addresses all the issues of providing and being informed. Definitely not perfect, but one of the best idea I have heard of for empty urban lots.

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