Ashley Plummer's editorial in the Broad Ripple Gazette and her concern of the Weapon's of Mass Development called for a reply as to where the readers stand. Though I might not be a resident of Broad Ripple, there are things that maybe I can bring to the discussion. Ashley talked specifically about the two new communities being built on the Monon Trail on Winthrop. I can't speak for the newest one, but as sales manager for Gunstra Builders, I can give some insight into The Townes of Winthrop.

No one wants to lose historic homes to build new ones, however, when discussing the Townes of Winthrop, there were four small homes in disrepair that had long ago been turned into rentals as doubles. They are being replaced by townhomes that start as low as 228,900.00, but are mostly in that 250,000.00 range that Ashley spoke of. How much more involved, and concerned will these new home owners who invested here be about their community, and Broad Ripple than those who are transient in those eight rentals? What has that done for the overall property values and safety of all to upgrade this community this way?

When it comes to redeveloping communities in older established neighborhoods, it is wrong to not consider the charm and character already there when creating the new. Thankfully, Gunstra Builders is small enough that we can redesign our homes for each community we build if needed.

The Townes of Winthrop is a community unlike anything else we are building, it was designed specifically to fit in with it's neighbors with a cute cottage feel with a front porch lifestyle to visit with your neighbors walking by.

There has been a lot of talk, and questions as to what is the big draw to all the three story town homes popping up all over Greater Indianapolis.

Until very recently, I am not sure that there has been a very good answer. When the first community went up and sold well, most other builders took a "me too" approach and jumped in with their own versions to get in on the action. However, I don't think that any of us really understood what made them attractive, we all tried to work off of the old paradigms we used in building any community, to keep the land price as low as possible, to keep the overall price as low as possible, and worry about the floorplans. I have recently become aware, that was the exact opposite of what is required to build a successful townhome community.

It has become crystal clear that while the key to all Real Estate is Location, Location, Location, when you are looking at town homes multiply that by 20. The overriding key to having a successful townhome community is determined by if once you arrive home and put your car in the garage in the evening or weekend, you don't have to get back into your car to go to dinner, out to drinks, entertainment, shopping, or to recreation activities.

In other words everything has to be within walking distance or the townhomes aren't in the right location. I guess one clue is that the word Town is in Townhome, and they need to be in town not the suburbs.

The new (old idea) concept of mixed use zoning has brought the opportunity to live, work, have recreation, and social life all within walking distance.

There is a connection happening with baby boomers on this that I think is happening at a subconscious level. It is like going home again, but not to any we have known since our youth. Where you knew your neighbors, had chats as you went about the community, you knew the local business people and they knew you. In other words, pretty much how most of us boomer grew up before zoning rules in the 70's segregated every portion of our lives, isolating people from each other to the point we live in subdivisions not neighborhoods. When people get a taste of this town home living it is something that touches them at a very deep level.

Of course we get a lot of singles, or newly singles with children, in out town homes, but also both young professional couples and empty nesters a well. Many thought we wouldn't see the empty nesters with three story town homes, but it isn't the floor plans that draw them to their new homes, it is the location, the lifestyle within walking distance. The young couples are saying that they want to "do this for them" while they can, before the suburbs and minivans come into their lives. The empty nesters are saying that they are "doing this for them" while they are young enough to handle the stairs and they are forced to consider a one story lifestyle. However, it is all about "doing it for yourself" if only for a few years.

Our homeowners are busy people whose schedules are already busy at work and commitments, having a home that allows you to enjoy your time is critical to them.

So, Ashley these townhomes are designed to give the best of both worlds, brand new, full warranties, no maintenance to free people from home maintenance concerns of an old home, and designed to enhance the existing neighborhood while blending into the overall look.

Sincerely,

Jim Morgan

V.P. of Sales

Gunstra Builders

Editor's response: THANK YOU for writing in. My editorial asked for responses and yours was the only one I received.

I agree with you fully that there are places where townhouse should be, and people do put them in places where there have no access to all the amendities that Broad Ripple offers.

That being said, I still feel Broad Ripple is being taken over by them. Broad Ripple is different in the fact that it is outside the downtown area of Indianapolis, where townhouses would be perfect (e.g., Massachusetts Avenue?).

I respect your opinion and agree with it to some extent, but I am still relunctant to wish to see more condos appear where lovely old homes used to stand.

-AP