The first discussed the possible paths Charlottesville may follow. Will housing prices lock out middle class workers as has happened in the resort and retirement community of Aspen, Colorado? Or can the private sector, local governments, and the University of Virginia come together on an economic development strategy to produce a community attractive to emerging technology companies? VPTC Chair Gary Henry says he thinks the region could do so, and Katie Bullard of Austin-based AngelouEconomics makes a thorough comparison.
Click the arrow button above to hear the event, or download the mp3 here.
Brian McNeill writes about the event in the Daily Progress, and Brian Wheeler has an excellent and detailed post about this on Charlottesville Tomorrow. Carry on the conversation there and let us know what you think about Charlottesville’s future.
most people who are interested in the question would rather have Charlottesville turn into Austin than Aspen, and the governments have to take part in solving that equation. Rather
The government will take part to solve the equation, sure they will but the solution will be according to how the individuals participate and being part of this situation.
Its interesting to hear the comparison. I live in Austin and I have heard some people say Charlottesville is what Austin was like a few years ago. Before the housing market imploded the Austin real estate market was starting to price people out of the central areas. So basically its a problem we are still dealing with. Its hard to have a cool city and to keep things affordable because if you have a fun dynamic city people move there and push up prices. We have attempted to do things like allowing small lots to encourage lower prices with mixed success.