“Greenmailing” drives up construction costs and wait times, making the state’s already expensive housing even less affordable.
By Christian Britschgi | reason
The state of California has made it shockingly easy for construction unions to delay new construction under the guise of environmental protection, through a practice known as “greenmailing.” And time after time, they have.
Consider Newport Crossings, a 350-unit apartment complex complete with 7,500 square feet of commercial space, and a half-acre public park proposed by developer Starboard Realty Partners.
Starboard’s planned development would replace a blighted, 1970s-era shopping center where some 70 percent of the shopfronts sit vacant. Newport Crossings would add new housing to an area currently dominated by office blocks, shops, and restaurants.
