Study Concludes Walkability Adds Value To Homes
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, REDDING LIFESTYLES, SHASTA COUNTY
September 15th, 2009
A recent report by Joe Cortright of Impresa, Inc concluded homes located in areas with above-average levels of walkability garner about $4,000-$34,000 more than houses with average levels of walkability. Walkablity is defined as those areas with a mix of common daily shopping and social destinations within a short distance.
Unfortunately, few, if any, Redding neighborhoods can claim above-average walkability. Retail/commercial areas were intentionally located away from residential housing due to planning decisions made decades ago. Thus, Redding has grown outward requiring more roads, infrastructure, fire stations and police officers to adequately serve our ever-expanding city limits . This growth pattern is known as urban sprawl.
Redding planners unquestionably laid out the city to be auto-centric. One must hop in the car to grocery shop, find a hardware store or visit a restaurant. Only in recent years has the planning department seen the value of allowing residential uses above commercial space. Past planning has resulted in the city core becoming a ghost town after business hours. Workers must leave downtown for one of many subdivisions that sprawl outward from the city’s core in all directions. Patronizing a business requires staying in town after work or making another vehicle trip back into town after going home. More recently, planners are open to mixing residential and commercial uses. Where feasible, living units can be added over street level commercial space. I heard, but have not confirmed, new buildings under construction downtown have residential units on the upper floor.
The study also found that a value premium for walkability was higher in areas with extensive transit systems. If you can live somewhere where having a car is optional, the walkability premium is higher. Even if you still have to use a car to get where you want to go, commute times are shorter if you live close to areas with mixed uses instead of homogeneous subdivisions with mazes of streets that discourage walking. I live in one of those neighborhoods and doubt I would visit the park I can see from my home if I had to walk the labyrinth of streets to get there. Fortunately, I have a gate in my back fence that opens across the street from the park.
The health benefits of walkingare not the main motivation of households that buy homes in areas with high walkability scores according to the study. City planners have given walking little respect when considering transportation methods. That certainly seems to be the case here in Redding. Change will be slow as long as gas prices are painless and public transportation is inconvenient. Connecting and expanding walking trails around Redding may encourage walkers and bicyclists to leave their cars in the garage. Summer and winter weather will likely be a deterrent for all but the most dedicated anti-auto crowd.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDDING
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
