511 Akard

[Justin Terveen]

Read about the issue here (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=2108)

[warlock55]

I think it's a great idea. It sounds like its residents are going to be people who WANT to live there, and if they want to be there, they're going to take care of it, and the neighborhood, and in general will be an asset to downtown. For any income group, it's vital that they care about where they live, otherwise there will be problems. That goes for rampant crime in monolithic housing projects to teenagers smashing mailboxes in the suburbs.

[St-T]

good luck filling the 9 market units at $1500/month.

[msutton]

those units could easily go to people that work in the building. with two floors of office space, I bet at least 4 or 5 people would love to live where they work.

[frankchitown]

Could they possibly have their own entrance and elevators?

[monogodo]

Could they possibly have their own entrance and elevators?
Why? Are you afraid that "poor" will rub off on "wealthy" and "bring them down" to a lower level? Or maybe you're elitist and are afraid to have success rub off on the downtrodden, thus inspiring them to achieve more than what they have and making a better situation of their lives.

What a jackass thing to say.

[msutton]

not a jackass thing to say at all. do you find it offensive that Ritz-Carlton residents have a different entrance than the hotel patrons? its a similiar difference between the market rate and the SROs here. SROs are shorter leases, etc.

I would say, though, that with only 9 market rate units, a dedicated set of elevators would be kind of ridiculous. maybe a single elevator for them?

[monogodo]

There's a difference between residents having a separate entrance from hotel patrons and residents with one level of income having a separate entrance from residents with a different level of income. One is a separation of businesses (hotel vs. residence), the other is discrimination.

It is a jackass thing to say.

[tamtagon]

^If separate elevators dont work, maybe only the rich folks should enter through the front door, everyone else enters through the alley.

[msutton]

SROs, as I understand them, are in many ways more akin to hotel rooms than traditional residences. they're not long term leases, typically, either. If you're paying full cost and you live on the top floor or two of the building (which I assume will be the case) you deserve to not have to make a dozen stops going up to your home. No one wants to live like that. With SROs and other much smaller housing units, this building is going to have many more residents than most developments downtown. To keep the market rate units competitive, you've gotta give them something. They're paying more, they deserve more. As soon as the lower income residents get back on their feet and can afford something nicer, they'll take it, too.

Unless they can rent out all 9 units to people who work in the two floors of office space. In which case, there's not really that much need to remain competitive. I don't know the specifics of the project, but if they want to rent those 9 units out to people just looking for an apartment in the area, they HAVE to do something to make it worth their while. We do not live in an ideal world, and realizing that is quite different from being a jackass.

[monogodo]

I never said anyone was a jackass, only that what they posted was a jackass thing to say. There's a difference.

Even nice properties have graffiti problems. When we lived in the American Beauty Mill, the elevator got tagged regularly, even during the day when managment was there. The Wilson Building gets taggers in it now and then, but not anywhere near as bad as the Mill got. In both cases, it wasn't the residents who were doing it, it was their guests. The same thing should hold true at 511 Ackard.


They're paying more, they deserve more.
My guess would be that for their extra rent they get more square footage and (possibly) a better view. Since I don't know the particulars of the project, either, it's only a guess.

[FoUTASportscaster]

I agree with Monogodo

[frankchitown]

Why? Are you afraid that "poor" will rub off on "wealthy" and "bring them down" to a lower level? Or maybe you're elitist and are afraid to have success rub off on the downtrodden, thus inspiring them to achieve more than what they have and making a better situation of their lives.

What a jackass thing to say.

Chill out man, I just asked a question, and you seem to have read too much into my question. I didnt say " I think the rich should have their own elevators because they are better and should be separated from the poor." That isnt how I think at all. I asked a simple question, and if you don't have an answer, you have no place replying to it. It is a fact that there are separate entrances and elevators for the upper floors of many condos. I have relatives in Chicago who live in the upper suites with their own elevators, while the smaller studio apartments below use the common elevators. Next time you don't know the answer to something keep your dumbass comments to yourself.

[monogodo]

Chill out man, I just asked a question, and you seem to have read too much into my question. I didnt say " I think the rich should have their own elevators because they are better and should be separated from the poor." That isnt how I think at all. I asked a simple question, and if you don't have an answer, you have no place replying to it. It is a fact that there are separate entrances and elevators for the upper floors of many condos. I have relatives in Chicago who live in the upper suites with their own elevators, while the smaller studio apartments below use the common elevators. Next time you don't know the answer to something keep your dumbass comments to yourself.
Follow your own suggestion. You'll notice that I began my reply with the following:


Why?
I then asked if it were one of the two scenarios that followed.

There is nothing wrong with asking for clarification prior to responding to a question.


I see no need for them to have separate entrances/elevators. Again, since I don't know the specifics about the renovation, I'd have to guess at how they have the residences laid out. One option is to have the higher priced, market-value units on the upper floors. Another would be to blend them in among the other units. My loft has a different square footage and rent than the units to either side of it. One has more area and a higher rent, the other is smaller and cheaper.

And what makes you think there's only one answer? I gave you an answer: common entrances/elevators for all.

If you want the actual answer to your question, I suggest you contact the developer and ask him. Since no one here is directly involved with the actual project (so far as I know), no one here is qualified to respond to your question. Not very intelligent of you to ask a question of people who don't know the answer, is it?

[hamiltonpl]

Ahhh. I so enjoy a catfight.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Where's Rodney King when you need him?

[Justin Terveen]

Yo...

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/6483/01rk7ek.jpg

...

[frankchitown]

I see no need for them to have separate entrances/elevators. Again, since I don't know the specifics about the renovation, I'd have to guess at how they have the residences laid out. One option is to have the higher priced, market-value units on the upper floors. Another would be to blend them in among the other units. My loft has a different square footage and rent than the units to either side of it. One has more area and a higher rent, the other is smaller and cheaper.



This would have been an acceptible original reponse to my question. Unfortunately, you jumped to conclusions, accused me of being an "elitist", which is the exact opposite of my way of thinking. [/catfight]

To me, this seems like its going to be a multi-use property...offering a new beginning for the homeless, which I think is wonderful, and also offering a few market rate units for people willing to pay for them. I dont think a separate elevator is out of line. I'll ask you this Monogono, if you found out that the Wilson building was revamping every floor in the building, except your floor, to offer $300 a month units to homeless people, would you still want to live there? Be honest.

[monogodo]

I'll ask you this Monogono, if you found out that the Wilson building was revamping every floor in the building, except your floor, to offer $300 a month units to homeless people, would you still want to live there? Be honest.
Yes, I would. I love my loft. I love the building. If a homeless person is willing and able to come up with $300/month for rent, it shows that they care about improving their situation.

Just an aside, not to be picky or anything, but it's monogodo, not Monogono. Thanks.

[frankchitown]

Ok, so your either a complete liar or a saint. I'll go with the former.

[effulgent]

Ok, so your either a complete liar or a saint. I'll go with the former.

No, I think we'd stay if at all possible. The only way we'd move is if we felt that our safety was threatened. We really do love our loft.

I would hope, however, that our "market value" loft would not continue to raise in rent. But then again, I hope that anyway.

[monogodo]

Ok, so your either a complete liar or a saint. I'll go with the former.
Having grown up iin situations where we were barely getting by, and wouldn't have without assistance, I have no problem with being around people who are less fortunate. I've also found that people on the lower end of the income spectrum are much more friendly and willing to help out others than those in the middle or upper end of the spectrum.

And as my wife said above, so long as the security level of the building remains unchanged, I'd have no problem with living there in the situation you described. Just ask Ninjatune, the Wilson is one of the most secure residences in the CBD. About the only change I'd make if the Wilson did convert in the way you mentioned would be to never leave my loft without locking the door behind me, and I'd look into getting an additional lock installed. Other than those changes, my life wouldn't change.

[tamtagon]

It's two against one now, frankchitown.... hahaha

[frankchitown]

lol...I'm not against anyone, I was just surprised that I was jumped on for asking a logical question...I'm over it now. Anyway, I guess I should correct myself in referring to homeless people living there. If they are living there, they would, in effect, not be homeless anymore.