All comments posted by users on the Greater Greater Washington post "White Flint master plan: it's all about incentives" http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/ en-us http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-22247 The developers and their goons of supporters can completely ignore the folks who won't be able to afford to live in the White Flint master plan area. It's insidious isn't it? You have good information and planning propelled forward by good ol' profit motive - you can indeed design better functional communities, leveling 60-70s era concepts and building something new that generally supports the entitled class, the less affluent can move north or east. Planning is controlled by the developers, who will build whatever they want to. This is generally how it is, unless they come across some real Royalty. http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-22247 Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:38:27 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-22246 Stop building massive concrete parking garages, admit that cars are no longer viable or sustainable, and look how space magically becomes available. http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-22246 Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:26:02 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-22001 Well, there are some anti-neighbors. Not so many though. Many are intrigued and are excited at having Bethesda-like amenities near their house. As for the developers, a couple of them want to do the right thing for the planet. It luckily is the better business decision too. http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-22001 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:27:11 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-21999 It's interesting that so much cooperation was possible here, with companies working for development. Considering how demonized developers are, isn't is ironic that PUD and community organization plans are usually more histrionic and bitter than this seems to be. Is it really just because the companies will get a better bottom line that they're willing to work together? How do urban activists convince relatively upscale neighborhoods to work together instead of throwing ad hominems at each other? On a side note, I think it helps that these companies have been on the land for while now, so they sort of have a sense for the neighborhood already. http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-21999 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:27:47 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-21989 ...and the irony is that unlike in Tysons, a Metro line already runs through the corridor. I do give the county a lot of credit for working on plans. I also give them credit for listening to the developers for input. The developers are on board with the suburban-to-urban retrofit, despite its economic risks to them. They want to do the right thing for the environment while making a profit. I was not surprised that the Post piece had to quote some anti-neighbor like it always does. Most are neutral or in favor of the plan. It won't destroy anyone's parking space. The fact that the county is widening Randolph/Montrose Road to near-freeway standards there is also placating the car/traffic/build more and bigger roads crowd. We're learning more and more, especially in light of current economic trends, that in a market economy such as ours, we must use the profit motive of private developers for good rather than knee-jerk demonizing them. http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-21989 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:26:27 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-21984 Great analysis. Let's hope this plan (or sometime like it) comes to fruition. Rockville Pike is terrible as currently laid-out. There is some decent TOD sprouting up, but the Pike itself is so unwalkable and unaesthetic. (Maybe not as bad as Bally's Crossroads or 7 Corners, but not far behind) http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1833/white-flint-master-plan-its-all-about-incentives/#comment-21984 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:37:05 EDT