Sayhey --- I think we're getting a little closer to agreeing. I don't like studio's and tiny one-bedroom apartments either, for another reason. Eventually, they become housing for poor or indigent people who become a massive burden on the city in the form of crime, homelessness, and generally dragging the city down. Not right away, but just wait till any such building is 50 years old. Maybe the solution for multi-unit buildings is to make large units, with multiple rooms. I personally like units with lots of ammenities and distinguished architecture. That's what is under construction at Anderson & Prospect, although I'd much rather have kept the classic homes there.
As for taxes, I feel that it is important to work hard to keep them down, because it's part of the equation to making the city family-friendly. I agree with you that it's not the be-all and end-all, and I have no problem with spending tax money on community facilities and recreation facilities. I think there is ultimately a RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT that is hard to quantify. The existance of high-quality community and recreation facilities will increases property values in the city, so there would be more tax revenue coming in even though the community facilities and recreation facilities do not, themselves, generate taxes. Such a financial equation is very difficult to quantify, and for all practical purposes it is impossible to sell to the average "uneducated" voter. We tried that argument during the campaign for Borg's Woods, and we cited professional studies which documented that property values, on average, are higher near passive parkland, and become progressively less with distance from the park. In some cases, such as Manhattan's Central Park, it is dramatically evident. It was too complex of a case to effectively sell to the politicians, no less the average Joe. Nevertheless, it's true. People want to live in communities with good parks, good recreation, good libraries, etc. This impacts property values and the generaly perception of the community.
Therefore, given all the above reasoning, if there are only two ways to fund a Boys & Girls club other than bingo or taxes, I'd choose taxes.