Housing Authority Lands $500K For Robert T. Wolfe, ​“Union Square” Planning

We already have one of the highest per capita public housing and subsidized housing unit counts in the country. Let the Church Street South site go market rate and let it get done quickly. It ridiculous that there isn't a high density Transit Oriented Development on that site.

I honestly like the idea of a “pedestrian-only” plaza that connects across to Union Station from Columbus Avenue and Orange Street. Also, Union Avenue should probably get a road-diet similar to State Street to allow for the continuation of a Greenway bike path..

The height variance of new residential buildings should allow for 8 stories or taller. An actual city streetgrid should also be created within the area as well..

Lastly, I think “Union Square” can be the new “Downtown South.”

It is a shame some of the commercial buildings going up along MLK and Frontage would go in the area across from the Train Station. This would bring foot traffic and a "safe" pedestrian walkway connecting downtown and the hospital. Putting up "luxury" apartments wall off the area again with gated courtyards. "Mixed use" housing has shown to be a failure, with commercial office space some of the workforce may choose to use the three rail lines that merge at Union Station. The development along Frontage only make it easier for automobile commuters from the valley and Woodbridge.

They are going to fix this building up and sell it.

For the Wolfe apartments and Church St South complex, there should be a comprehensive plan for mixed income, mixed use and subsidized high rise units in a healthy mix. It should have street grids Woonerf through the complexes for pedestrians, bike riders, deliveries and loading zones, ride services pullouts, bus stops with shelters, and underground parking for residential vehicles, and completely ADA friendly.
Lots of green landscaping with storm water capture, solar panels and a community garden and street level retail and personal services businesses, entertainment, food and beverages, activities and other businesses that suit residents needs, and also train station passengers and employees needs. Flood mitigation measures and thoughtfully planned surrounding safe streets measures with green plantings.
This land could become the welcoming cornerstone to the city and help make the transition from Downtown to the Hill and to the hospital complex, the waterfront park and properties, the train station and the soon to be built multimodal transit center, and the highways. Having the right mix and developing the streetscape and the streets leading in and out of the area and connecting to other parts of the city with pedestrians, bike riders, disabled, visitors and travelers in mind, will help this city and will have an impact unlike any other property in the city outside of the former coliseum redevelopment and the Route 34 connector redevelopment which are also key to our city’s transformation.
We need to have a vision of change from fragmented communities to a walkable and live-able city, from personal vehicle focused transit to mass transit, and pedestrian and bike rider and ADA friendly, and green energy and global warming mitigation progressive, and think long term how the developments will impact the city and benefit everyone who lives and works and attends school here.