How to increase property values
Posted on 19. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga in Featured, News
Walking is good for you on so many levels.
Besides being good for the ol’ stems and heart, one report suggests it can add anywhere from $500 to $3000 to your property values. The folks over at Worldchanging sum it up well here, but if you would like to read the full report from CEOsforCities click here.
Lately, I’ve been trying to venture out and explore businesses in Phoenix that I call light rail convenient. These are restaurants and bars that are easily accessible by the light rail after a brief walk, bike or bus ride. Are others doing the same thing? Unfortunately, the answer is no.
In most cities, you deboard a train and maybe walk a few blocks to a cool restaurant or neighborhood bar. Here in Phoenix, some restaurant owners are telling me it’s business as usual.
This is a story I’ve been working for a few weeks. I have some interviews ‘in the can’ – but there’s something missing. I thought I would open up the conversation to my readers and let you weigh in. How hard is it for you to get motivated to walk a few blocks from a light rail stop? Would bike racks throughout the city encourage you to go ‘beyond the tracks’? Is there something city leaders can do to promote businesses that are light rail convenient? Be sure to comment below!
2 Responses to “How to increase property values”
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Stefanie Neuburger
23. Aug, 2009
Hi Tony,
love that question. Keep in mind I am in full support of the lightrail. I would love to take it much more often…..
1) I operate in a relatively small radius for most social activities – let’s say Lux for example. Since I teach all over the valley though, I have to keep my car. Then all of a sudden, paying $3.50 extra for a cup of coffee that costs $2.00 is not reasonable, when it literally only takes me 3 minutes to drive to Lux.
2) I live over on 18th Ave and Colter – if I use the lightrail at night, I’d have to either ride my bike down to the station or walk there. Given the police is having major challenges keeping that area gun and drug violence free, I am choosing not to put myself into harm’s way.
3) The lightrail does not go east on Camelback far enough for it to be reasonable for me. I have a short turn around time between the classes I teach and having to switch from lightrail to bus takes too much time. Most of my life is on Camelback east of Central.
4) Once it cools back down I’m more inclined to take the lightrail. I work closely with people as a yoga teacher, and nobody wants a sweaty, stinky yoga teacher adjusting them. Walking to and then waiting for the lightrail would turn me into just that.
I am hoping for a) more effective Police work in my neighborhood (we have enough Police, doesn’t seem to be stopping the gun shots though) b) eastbound lightrail on Camelback – that would definitely be a start in getting me to use it more often.
But that’s just my 2 cents….would love to see what everyone else has to say
Chloe
25. Aug, 2009
Tony,
I take the rail everywhere. I almost always take my bike. I live less than a mile from a stop, but a bike is almost always required at the other end. In the summer, even a walk that is short of a mile is tough, so I always ride my bike to the rail in the summer.
Late nights without the rail were a real problem for me. So the extension on the weekends is working out really well. Except when my friends and I actually go beyond 2am and even miss the last train. Oops.
As I have mentioned before, the bike racks on the rail are a real pain for a 5’3″ woman. I really wish there was a better solution to that. Also of course, if there aren’t bike racks when you get to your destination it’s a bit of a pain. I have complained to Mayor Gordon about this at one of his coffee chats, but the more we say it the better.
That said, I usually find a chain link fence, pole or something to lock it to. That’s not always the safest bet, but another thing I have learned is that I can pretty much say to the staff at business I am visiting, “Hey, I noticed you don’t have bike racks, so I locked it to the fence, is that ok?” They usually feel bad that they don’t have a safer option for you. So I point out that I’m not really comfortable leaving it there, so if they would have an eye open it would be great.
This kind of thing happened to me at a music venue downtown and the door guy actually said come in and stash it behind the desk here. He even let me leave it when music was between gigs and we popped over to the Lost Leaf for a bit. I tipped him well that night. I’m just saying, these kind of unique arrangements actually seem to work out for me all of the time.
You asked about some promo the city could do. Last year, during the State of the City, before the light rail was running, they handed out a Rail Passport. It was a small paper booklet that had discounts at businesses along the rail, plus maps and useful information. I am not sure how successful that was, you might check with area businesses, but that seems like a nice promotion. I also think event shuttles are highly effective, like the one to and from the rail when Chihuly was at the Botanic Gardens.
So, I usually have my bike, because it is easier. I rarely opt for the car. Occasionally I walk from the rail to where I am going, but usually it’s too far and I like the flexibility of having my bike.
Chloe