Apparently no one is discussing the fact that Kingpin--in the new, Daredevil: Born Again tv series--absolutely listens to Ezra Klein. This man craves Abundance. He loves New York. He hates red tape. His favorite mayor is La Guardia*. A lot of the early episodes are spent on the writers of the show using Kingpin to point out the bonkers nonsense of city planning bureaucracy. Episode 4 (it's literally titled "Sic Semper Systema") features an extended scene of Kingpin standing in the rubble of an industrialized area excitedly describing--with the help of a model mock-up--a revitalized area: beautiful, bustling, a demonstration of dedication to the growth of the city he loves more than anything (but his wife)! There is then a discussion between him and his political-insider assistant where she has to explain to him how, um, actually you can't just start making nice things. You have to do X first. "Let's do that!" he says. Ooof, well, actually, you can't do that until you do Y. "Let's do that!" he says. You can imagine how many times she has to "well, actually" him. It's so many times. Each step sounding more absurd (but 100% actually true) than the last. Despite it all, he agrees to start at the first point, which is to, roughly (I watched this last night and don't have the quote), post a public notice that you are thinking about doing a project. (See also: the whole pothole scene in episode 3 or 4. You know the one.)
We have not finished the season. I can only imagine how much he will not be following the rules by episode 9.
Now, I don't think it's crazy to assume he starts killing people again--or at least indulging in the breaking of assorted kneecaps--and that's not very neo-Liberal YIMBY behavior. Don't think Ezra would be super into violence as a method of promoting abundance. But! I do think it's very interesting that we have a show featuring a man who is trying to reform both himself and his city, and it will absolutely be red tape that drives this man insane. Imagine how great New York would be if you didn't have to conduct a site survey after every public meeting where one person who doesn't want their view obstructed by stalling jobs and housing for hundreds of people by Y E A R S.
Do I have opinions on development? Yes. Are they nuanced? I don't know. What is nuance anymore? But I'm basically an Abundance-pilled YIMBY. Do I think it would be cool for new buildings to match the historic vibes of the neighborhood they are built in? Yes. I'm pretty sure you could make the facade of a building look good for very few dollars, and it would make people who like the architectural identity of their neighborhood feel better, and it would let the people who live in the buildings feel like they get to live somewhere nice, too. There's no reason a triplex has to look like ass. Trim and paint exist. You're already using them. Pick slightly better ones. Problem solved.
Oh, ALSO. You will not stop people from owning cars by building apartments with no garage. Portland is not Amsterdam. It's an American city. People still have to commute to work and school. You will make life worse for everyone in the neighborhood.
Me and Kingpin and Ezra Klein. Abundance, bitches.
*I didn't know anything about La Guardia until I looked him up on wikipedia this morning. Wow. Highly recommend taking a peep at that page.