You've got it exactly right. And around here, all of the growth since the first oil embargo has been an illusion. There was no significant growth in population in the region-- it just shifted. It has all been growth on the fringes at the expense of Detroit, but now we are beginning to see that this pattern will ultimately come down hard on everyone, city and suburban alike. The developers who drove the push to ever-greener fields are long gone, leaving the legacy costs behind. And frankly, I think Headlee was a big mistake. I have been in my house over 30 years, so I certainly benefit from limits on property tax increased, but I believe that it sets up an artificial incentive for people to stay in the same home beyond the time they normally would. This leads to gray-haired enclaves where houses aren't rehabbed, repairs aren't made, and local businesses dry up from reduced local spending. Then, housing doesn't turn over to new buyers for "starter homes." Schools close because of fewer young kids, and new schools have to be built in the far suburbs because that is the only place young families can afford housing. Roads, sewers, water, power, fire services, etc.-- all have to be rebuilt in new places while perfectly usable [[or good for renovation) infrastructure sits unused and crumbling. And then we pile on layer after layer of replicated organizational costs every 10 years when a new wave of sprawl starts it all over again. End of rant.
Bookmarks