Carless incentives at Spaulding Court

[jon]

The first updated Spaulding Court townhouse is available for rent, craigslist post here - http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/apa/2392875982.html

$1200/mo with a car, $750 without. Not only is it one of the best neighborhoods in the region to go without a car, you get a big rent break as well.

[SWMAP]

$450 rental discount per month. About $5000 annually. That's pretty big. What is the reason?

[jon]

A big one is the cost [[in space and money) that comes with parking. It's a 20 unit complex and would take a giant parking lot--most of the neighbors are of the opinion that the city has enough parking lots as it is.

Additionally, households without a car spend a greater share of their income close to home. The mission of Friends of Spaulding Court is to promote the strength and diversity of the Corktown community and a big piece of that is putting the local economy back together

[Bham1982]

Seems to me that Spaulding Court wants to attract mostly poor folks with limited job prospects. Not sure how that will help "putting the local economy back together". Maybe some evil folks with cars and jobs have a few dollars to spend.

Strange marketing, to be sure.

[Planner3357]

Agree...these places look nice enough and the area is okay. But to have to pay $450 extra/month for a car is crazy. And let's be honest, there isnt much to walk to in Corktown except for bars...so...I think this is actually not one of the best areas in the "region" to be carless.

[Det_ard]

A big one is the cost [[in space and money) that comes with parking. It's a 20 unit complex and would take a giant parking lot--most of the neighbors are of the opinion that the city has enough parking lots as it is.

Additionally, households without a car spend a greater share of their income close to home. The mission of Friends of Spaulding Court is to promote the strength and diversity of the Corktown community and a big piece of that is putting the local economy back together

The first paragraph of your explanation doesn't make sense. First, there's no shortage of empty land around Spaulding Court. Buying a vacant lot wouldn't be costly at all. In fact, the lot due south is already being used for parking in this satellite photo.



Then of course, there's ample space on the neighborhood streets. "Allowing" someone to park on a public street or on someone's unused vacant lot costs nothing. There's certianly no need to charge an extra $450 per month for someone who owns a car.

Your second paragraph gets closer to the truth. You have a social position on car culture and you're willing to incentivize/penalize prospective tenants accordingly. Since car ownership isn't a protected class under Michigan or Federal fair housing laws you're free to do so and I respect your right to make that choice as a landlord, activist, entrepreneur or whatever you consider yourself.

Just be upfront about it, that first paragraph was a smokescreen.

[rjk]

The first paragraph of your explanation doesn't make sense. First, there's no shortage of empty land around Spaulding Court. Buying a vacant lot wouldn't be costly at all. In fact, the lot due south is already being used for parking in this satellite photo.



Then of course, there's ample space on the neighborhood streets. "Allowing" someone to park on a public street or on someone's unused vacant lot costs nothing. There's certianly no need to charge an extra $450 per month for someone who owns a car.

Your second paragraph gets closer to the truth. You have a social position on car culture and you're willing to incentivize/penalize prospective tenants accordingly. Since car ownership isn't a protected class under Michigan or Federal fair housing laws you're free to do so and I respect your right to make that choice as a landlord, activist, entrepreneur or whatever you consider yourself.

Just be upfront about it, that first paragraph was a smokescreen.

So can they legally prohibit car ownership? If so, why not just come out and say it.
Who in their right mind would pay $450 extra because they have a car?

[jon]

...I think this is actually not one of the best areas in the "region" to be carless.

I would strongly disagree. While I take issue with your assertion that there's nothing in Corktown but bars, it's certainly more sparse than downtown, midtown or southwest but bikeable is different than walkable. In North Corktown, you get a quiet, rural atmosphere with all the happening parts of the city within a 10 or 15 minute bike ride.

Instead of getting caught in a 3/4 mi walking bubble, a huge swath of the city as at your fingertips. I know a number of folks who live wonderful lives without cars in the neighborhood.

But to have to pay $450 extra/month for a car is crazy

It really isn't. Many people pay $450 a month to keep their homes warm in the winter, and that doesn't even affect the people around them [[aside from the global warming it causes, but who believes in that anyways?). What's crazy is to pretend that it's a good idea to build urban mobility around cars. What's reasonable is to incentivize an alternative.

[jtf1972]

I figured the extra charge was for parking... Is it actually an additional fee if you own a car & just park on the street? My building has a garage attached that, if there are any spaces available, they lease spaces to tenants who want them [[there are no spaces available)

$450/month seems high for parking anywhere other than downtown or midtown manhattan.

[jon]

or


The wonderful thing about North Corktown is that it isn't full of parking lots. It's full of fields and farms. We certainly could buy a lot [[or two, or three!) and turn them into parking lots but we live here so if we can find a way around it, we will.

The market might not put much value on the land but we do.

[belleislerunner]

Who would post a listing on CL without including a picture of the unit?

[iheartthed]

I'm a little confused... Is the $450 the cost to rent a private parking space?

[DetroitPlanner]

What is to keep the renter from parking his car on a nearby street? Heck he could even park it at the Motor City Casino if he does not mind the walk.

[jtf1972]

I want to see what the place looks like too! It had an interesting look when it was in bad shape... Love to see it refurbished...

[Detroitnerd]

Funny to see people deliberately misunderstand what's going on or freaking out about it. They get to do things the way they like. Disagree? Buy an apartment building in Detroit ...

[ghettopalmetto]

Funny to see people deliberately misunderstand what's going on or freaking out about it. They get to do things the way they like. Disagree? Buy an apartment building in Detroit ...

It's the same people who are all about "choices" and "freedom"--until someone dares to do something that contradicts their worldview.

[jtf1972]

Oh, I'm all for it. I love living without a car. I'm moving back to Detroit in a couple months with or without a job. I wish I could do it without a car, but I would be willing to bet that if I interview for a job and they have a choice between someone who drives in and someone who bikes or busses in...

How about partial credit if it's a hybrid built in America?

[Dr. Emil]

Looks awesome for only $1200/month, where do I sign up? Just a couple questions first...Is the tent city still there and is it extra for plywood instead of windows? Also, could you please provide a previous utility bill from a winter month so I can verify that my heating bill will only be $50? Thanks in advance and I look forward to a great landlord-tenant relationship with you.

[Detroitnerd]

Oh, yes! Why would anybody give up their car? We need to be wedded to them forever and ever, from the moment we're strapped into our first baby-carrier to the moment we're driven to the funeral mound!

[Roq]

The first updated Spaulding Court townhouse is available for rent, craigslist post here - http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/apa/2392875982.html

$1200/mo with a car, $750 without. Not only is it one of the best neighborhoods in the region to go without a car, you get a big rent break as well.

What does the "mix and match" by month mean? Good luck dude but I don't think you're going to find many people willing to pay the $$ you're asking.

[Planner3357]

or


The wonderful thing about North Corktown is that it isn't full of parking lots. It's full of fields and farms. We certainly could buy a lot [[or two, or three!) and turn them into parking lots but we live here so if we can find a way around it, we will.

The market might not put much value on the land but we do.

Full of fields and farms? Sure doesn't look like Kansas to me, and not even Taylor. Looks like a bomb went off. I'm glad that something has happened to this cool building...but I'll stick to my "bubble" downtown where I can walk and bike everywhere...and have free underground parking for my CAR so I can get to work on time. Some of you need to stop living in la-la land....this isn't NYC, or Chicago...we have no mode of mass of trans..sans the SMART....people need cars in this city...unfortunately...but realistically...

[iheartthed]

Full of fields and farms? Sure doesn't look like Kansas to me, and not even Taylor. Looks like a bomb went off. I'm glad that something has happened to this cool building...but I'll stick to my "bubble" downtown where I can walk and bike everywhere...and have free underground parking for my CAR so I can get to work on time. Some of you need to stop living in la-la land....this isn't NYC, or Chicago...we have no mode of mass of trans..sans the SMART....people need cars in this city...unfortunately...but realistically...

Where do you live that allows you to park for free?

[Detroitnerd]

Full of fields and farms? Sure doesn't look like Kansas to me, and not even Taylor. Looks like a bomb went off. I'm glad that something has happened to this cool building...but I'll stick to my "bubble" downtown where I can walk and bike everywhere...and have free underground parking for my CAR so I can get to work on time. Some of you need to stop living in la-la land....this isn't NYC, or Chicago...we have no mode of mass of trans..sans the SMART....people need cars in this city...unfortunately...but realistically...

Some of us need to do something to change this city. I am glad that people are doing it. And I'm kind of tickled that it is bringing out a kind of defensive response in people.

[Planner3357]

Where do you live that allows you to park for free?

KALES...free parking under GCP.

I'm all for change for the good and for the future, but I'm still living in today, and that today is a Detroit where it is necessary for most of us to have a car.

[Det_ard]

KALES...free parking under GCP.

I'm all for change for the good and for the future, but I'm still living in today, and that today is a Detroit where it is necessary for most of us to have a car.

What does a 2 bdrm apt there run?