Wednesday, Sep. 26, 2007

'Houses aren't selling. ... Let's build more!'

On the Sept. 18 front page, a story was headlined with "Housing woes deepen in valley." Right next to it was "Condo tower moves forward." With all the foreclosures and default notices soaring, the powers that be want to build more houses? They are letting someone from San Mateo change downtown Modesto into a cramped bunch of high-rises. I have seen San Mateo's downtown; it looks like a smaller version of San Francisco.

They want to build more affordable housing in west Modesto. Why west Modesto? Are they trying to keep all the low-income properties in one area? Who is this really benefiting? Whose pockets are going to get full off this brilliant plan. Houses aren't selling -- I know, let's build more! Real smart.

SUSAN BALLARD

Modesto