Letter to the Editor / Build “The Porches” in Key West : Reduce Pressure on Stock Island
My 2017 initiative to use 7 acres old Navy property on Trumbo Road never went anywhere. Not much has changed since I was Superintendent back in 2003–17 years ago!
With increased density, relaxed rules for vehicle parking spots, and construction not higher than the remodeled power plant, Key West could have had 480 studios and one-bedroom ocean-view affordable units housing some 600-700 folks on our island.
Shouldn’t the powers that be reconsider The Porches? The benefits are becoming increasingly apparent: Fewer cars in the lower Keys, less carbon consumption, reduced traffic on U.S. #1, Stock Island, and at the Triangle, and new business for downtown shops, bars, and restaurants.
What’s not to like?
John R. Padget
Key West
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Re: BUILD “THE PORCHES” IN KEY WEST
The major concern I have with Mr. Padget’s idea for the Porches project is what will prevent the “600-700 folks” from owning cars and parking them elsewhere in Old Town? Being residents they will also be entitled to the desirable Residential Parking Permit.. This project as he describes, will certainly will add to the already difficult parking problem we have.
We build assisted living in a ghetto and are surprised that no one wants to retire there. Then we want workforce housing on waterfront property inside the bight. We have solved our affordable housing problem, the folks who needed it have left for the mainland to find work. It’s time for the city to stop competing in the housing market and think about the taxpayers. That is how the government can make housing more affordable.