Various photos of “Ugh”
And we say:  Please not in Arcata.

This page will be updated as new examples of “Ugh” roll in, so come back for more if you want.  Last update:  July 17, 2022.

In looking at the photos, we ask ourselves:  Would I want to live here?

Meriam Park, Chico  

Given as an example of Form-Based Code in Ben Noble’s presentation.  This development and these buildings were designed according to a Form-Based Code — which only goes to show that there can be good code and there can be bad code.  This is bad code.

Promoted as bike- friendly and pedestrian-friendly. Does this look friendly to you?

Promoted as designed by the precepts of New Urbanism. But it’s not. Walk to the store, anyone?

The “Andrés” building, named in homage to Andrés Duany. Very little in these buildings is based on what Andrés proposed.

Santa Cruz, California

This is what 6-stories looks like.

“Calypso” housing project.  Unanimously approved by the Santa Cruz City Council following an appeal.
6 Stories, 233 units.  All units are single-room studios of between 295 to 400 square feet. Two ground-floor shops that could sell food.  209 parking spaces in a ground-floor and underground garage.

35 units are for low or very-low income. That is 15% on the nose. The remainder — the 85% that’s intended for ordinary good-wage working people — will be market-priced rents.  The market rent in Santa Cruz now for a 400 square foot studio is between $1600 and $3500 a month — the typical price is $2600. In Arcata, given the cost of new construction, we’d anticipate a market-rate rent for these small units at about $1800 — for a studio.  Who would live there?  Two students, perhaps. a couple with two jobs.

Note the inclusion of 1960s-styled cars and trucks in the architect’s renderings.  Designed to have us feel right at home.

Here is 233 studio apartments on 1.2 acres — one city block in Arcata.