Poorly planned growth empties Greensboro
The Feb. 22 article, “Area’s ranking on 'emptiest’ list may not be right,” misses the point. It is not that Greensboro is fourth, 14th or 24th in the Forbes rankings of emptiest cities. It is that Greensboro has turned into a city serving those who favor growth at all costs, not planned growth.
Our leaders have had an insatiable appetite to grow. During the past several years, they have consistently ignored the master city plan to serve their own interests and their own connections to the local real-estate industry. Areas that were planned for 20 single homes now have 85 condominiums.
As citizens drive through their city, they can see it is plagued with empty apartments and homes. The result is further depressed housing prices and a supply glut not seen in recent memory. Until our leaders see that growth must be planned and well thought out, Greensboro can only move higher on the Forbes list.
David Lassiter
Greensboro
Comments (4)
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David,
You are right in that the city has endeavored to grow this city and even extend its boundaries. It is also true that we have grown expodentially and without much evidence of control. This is what happens when the economy is good.
You mention the empty apartments and just how can you tell they are empty? I am a member of the Triad Apartment Association and I regularly visit many apartment properties in this city. You would not know their ocupancy without going into the office and inquiring.
Relative to that, have you noticed the lack of construction that is going on? Many builders have gone out of business and we have properties sitting half finished. Again, what you do not know is the housing industry has been watching this for the past three years and what you are seeing now is the result.
I know of no city that has "planned" to fail or restricted growth. The Forbes list was in error relative to Greensboro. They have been notified.
Posted on March 1, 2009 6:33 AM
I see empty houses all over town.
Posted on March 1, 2009 2:30 PM
My question is why does the city continue to approve all this construction when it can not meet the water demands of existing residents and businesses?
Posted on March 3, 2009 7:43 AM
ncpatriot since you are a member of triad apartment assoc. what are the total occupancy rates in greensboro, just curious.
Posted on March 3, 2009 11:06 PM