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steelrat@lemmy.world

Could fewer shops lead to lower housing costs in Washington? Gov. Ferguson hopes so (m.kuow.org)

submitted 2 days ago by pelespirit@sh.itjust.works to c/seattle@lemmy.world

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When developers build apartments in pedestrian-heavy areas, many cities require restaurants or retail on the ground floor. The idea is to encourage people to walk, rather than drive, to shop and dine.

But developers often lose money on those storefronts, and those costs get passed on to renters through higher housing prices.

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[–] reddig33@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yep, its bullshit. You want people to live near work. That includes retail and restaurant workers. Getting rid of these spaces just means people in the city will have to drive to the burbs to eat out or shop. If anything, there should be an incentive program for landlords to discount rent for people that work in the same building.

[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yep, you're right.

It's the "I've tried nothing, so let's help the developers and see if that works" approach. I was hoping he wasn't going to be this bad, but alas, he is.

[–] rainwall@piefed.social 1 points 1 day ago

It also cuts down on Yimbyism. I'm happy when I see dense housing go in, not only for the relief it brings to housing prices but also because I know the neighborhood will likely get more interesting to visit because of the shops/etc.