SBJ.net Poll

Would you ever consider living in a loft or condominium in downtown Springfield? Why or why not?

For poll results, click here.

What Readers Think

No, the downtown lifestyle is not for me

There are a few things about living downtown that are not appealing to me, although I really like the character of the older buildings. 1. I have a large dog that needs a yard to run. 2. I do not want to have to park blocks away from my home and hope my car is not hit or vandalized. Also, I do not want to start scraping my windshield again when it is cold out. 3. As a single woman, I do not need to make myself any more vulnerable than I already am to crime. 4. No handy grocery stores other than Dillons or that mom-and-pop market, which in theory I would like to support, but budget does not allow it. 5. Noise at night from bars or bar patrons could keep my dog up, which could keep me awake! 6. I anticipate the utility costs in those buildings would be higher due to high ceilings or poorer insulation. 7. Where would my visitors park? That could affect their decision to drop by if it is a hassle.

—Lori Johnson, TelComm Credit Union

Do you not know what occurs downtown? Those who do would know how to answer this question. Those out for “adventure” might say yes; the rest don’t want homeless people urinating on their cars, hearing loud music throughout the night, drunks yelling under their windows – and I haven’t even touched the crime issue, which is tremendously underreported in our city media in this town (because) advertisers don’t want the real scoop known.

I lived in Springfield 20 years and moved to Joplin five months ago. We’re no better, but at least we don’t congregate all the drunks into one little four-block area and then tell the cops they can’t do their job like Springfield’s city officials did!

—Randy Baker, Office Solutions of Joplin

Other

If there were more affordably priced lofts or apartments downtown, I think more people, including me, would consider it. I hope someone will build places for regular people, rather than going “all luxury all the time.” Reach a wider audience. Building on trends could lose money down the road and affect the community negatively. Smart, well-designed mixed development will hold up over time and be more profitable in the end. When people realize what they can purchase in our area for current downtown prices, the luxury loft trend could wane … then what?

—Lori Tack, Ozark Greenways

Current Question

Do you think it’s right for Commercial Street to have its own “First Friday” arts and entertainment event? Why or why not?

Vote at sbj.net/poll.