laguna wrote on July 23, 2008 09:53 PM: Hey Homoless,
'just clean up the neighborhood'
gee what a great idea, too bad nobody is as smart as you and did not think of such a unique idea. The city will thank you and I am sure they never thought of it. If life were only as simple as your mind.

Positive One wrote on July 23, 2008 04:00 PM: I have been to the units and what Mike is doing is a great thing. You need to start somewhere in re-building a community and he has put his money where his mouth is....go see for yourself before you throw stones.

hilobomacaine wrote on July 23, 2008 12:24 PM: how many crackheads can you fit in 500 sq/ft?

I AGREE WITH LAGUNA wrote on July 23, 2008 10:46 AM: And how exactly do you "clean up the neighborhood?" Isn't that what he's doing?

Yes, there are some homeless, drugs, and prostitutes - but that's part of life in any city. And if you think those things aren't in your neighborhood, you are truly living in your own little world.

This type of housing is exactly what Las Vegas needs - right in the center of the city, where you can walk to shops, restaurants, and bars - walk to your downtown job or take the bus to your job on the strip...it makes a lot more sense than living out in the burbs where you have to hop in your car to do anything and everything...And because you can either walk, ride a bike, or take a bus everywhere, it's worth it to pay a little bit more for the location, because now you don't have to worry about gas prices, car insurance, or even a car payment!

And by the way, typical closets are only about 24-30sf, unless it's a walk-in - then it's probably around 50sf. That's why people don't sleep in a closet. 500sf is perfect for people who are single or married, no kids - not a lot of "stuff," not sure how long they're going to be in Vegas, don't want to purchase, and want to keep costs down (why pay to cool a 1600sf house if not needed)

homeless in Las Vegas wrote on July 23, 2008 09:54 AM: Well Laguna, the first thing I would do to revitalize downtown is clean up the neighborhood. Would you live in an area where you are concerned for your well being? I understand every neighborhood has its drawbacks but this one has many to the tune of prostitution, drugs and the violence that goes with same. Am I being negative or realistic? Then to pay large sums for your space. Hardly the sanctuary from the criminal elements.

Trisha wrote on July 23, 2008 09:35 AM: Condo communities with absentee owners and all tenants....sounds like a nightmare in the making !!!! Another greed monger. These places should have stayed as apts.

laguna wrote on July 23, 2008 09:02 AM: The two previous writers obviously know how to re-vitalize downtown, please tell us since you never approve of other attempts. Thats right, you have no clue. It must suck to live life as negative as both are.

homeless in Las Vegas wrote on July 23, 2008 08:33 AM: Fremont Street is becoming "the place to be," he said.

Perhaps the place not to be. 500 aquare feet of liveable space. Why not sleep in a closet? Who, in their right mind, will pay $800.00 per month rent to live in a closet?
Keep talking Mike, you might convince yourself.

br wrote on July 23, 2008 06:52 AM: Same old song banged out on a beat up old piano. There is still no infrastructure to support normal living downtown. The unit price on such small room is pretty steep. Add utility cost and you are looking at about a $1000 a month. The typical tenant is most likely a single guy working at a casino downtown. He probably would not own a car. on site security may be good, but once you are out on those streets, especially at night, you are in a jungle. A woman in that situation is in even more danger.
The developer should be able to fill those 36 apartments in spite of all the other cheaper area units. After a couple of years his will be just as sleazy.

Downtown re-development is an unfunny joke. Political leaders keep subsidizing a buffet of projects for their buddies with our tax money. Every once and a while the blind squirrel finds a nut. That's the law of averages, not skill.