7 Responses to “condos, hotel proposed for Mayo Island”

1. posted by Bud Tugly at February 14, 2008 1:55 pm :
   

   Warms the cockle of my heart to see all these NoVa developers who’ve plundered the NoVa region for years come to “share” the bounty of the efforts with us poorer CenVa folks.

   Perhaps they can bring along the uncontrolled development to the entire region not just the downtown/River district of the city.

2. posted by Page at February 14, 2008 9:44 pm :
   

   There are places that I believe enterprise and development are a positive addition. There are areas where I believe a natural setting is best. I, personally, believe that the river as one of our greatest assets, our “central park”. Are there any condos in central park…

3. posted by j at February 15, 2008 3:36 am :
   

   I think development on the island would do wonders to connect the Shockoe and Manchester areas. It would also really help boost the core of the city and spur revitalization.

   The city doesn’t have the money to buy the land to make it a park anyway. They can’t afford to maintain the parks they have now.

   The key to making this a good develoment would be to force the the builders to keep part of the island as public space and to not limit access to the river. And the developers would have an incentive to maintain the water and park areas.

   A high-density, mixed-use development in the center of the city is the exact opposite of Northern Virginia sprawl. The problem with Northern Virginia is that they build out from D.C. as fast as they could instead of building up.

   And while there are no condos in Central Park, it is certainly lined with them.

4. posted by Jeff E. at February 15, 2008 9:26 am :
   

   I have to agree with j on this one. As much as I’d like to see the island become part for the park system, the City doesn’t seem to be in good enough financial shape to purchase the island, demolish existing structures, AND create a new park. I think if the City works with the developer, we can make this a winning situation for all. I like the idea of a public boardwalk/promenade circling the island. The developer needs to incorporate green space and public access to make this work.

5. posted by DB at February 18, 2008 12:48 pm :
   

   j: DC didn’t “build up” because of an ordinance that states no building structure can be taller than the Capital.

6. posted by j at February 19, 2008 7:58 pm :
   

   Yes, i know. That applies to the city itself, which is not the major problem.
   D.C. has mixed-use zoning, sidewalks and good public transportation.

   The problem lies in the sourrounding counties. Decades ago, land was cheap and roads weren’t clogged. Developments sprang up rapidly for 50 miles in every direction with no plan for growth. They used flawed zoning that separates homes and businesses and they rely on interstates for travel. This results in an area where you have to drive everywhere.

   Now people commute from 100 miles away because they can’t afford to live closer to the city. Roads are jammed from the sprawl.

   The point: Urban areas need to increase density as much as they can instead of increasing diameter.

7. posted by j at February 19, 2008 7:59 pm :
   

   That’s not saying we don’t need parks too though.

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