Dear Everyone;
The SF Examiner columnist Ken Garcia and other news articles have been printed on the Trinity Plaza 1,900 unit housing project and how the Supervisors have put the developer over the last couple years through the wringer. Now after he has agreed to provide 360 rent controlled units below market value - the supervisors are back asking for more below market rental units and other concessions on parking and height - after the Planning Commisssion approved the project.
I had to say something about this and the SF Examiner agreed and included affiliation.
Ron Getty
SF Libertarian
The Examiner
Jan 27, 2007
No free housing
Ken Garcia highlights an incontrovertible fact — government is the enemy of private property and private property ownership [“Meddling in massive housing deal,” Jan. 25].
The Trinity Plaza housing imbroglio is a degenerated theatrical version of The Merchant of Venice — with Shylock (Board of Supervisors) demanding the pound of flesh from Antonio (Angelo Sangiacomo). The Board of Supervisors’ lack of economic acumen and sense of urgency for a vitally needed housing development are contemptible.
Sangiacomo should dump the project based on the 40 percent increase in construction costs. Were these costs passed through to renters or purchasers, the supervisors’ uproar would be heard worldwide.
The affordable-housing battle is a further measure of the supervisors’ economic cupidity. The price differential in below-market units is paid for by others in the full-market units — there are no free lunches.
Ron Getty
Chair, Initiatives Committee,
Libertarian Party of San Francisco
The City