A Tale Of Two Cities...

Well, it's not the "Classic" version by Dickens, but it does warrant some discussion. So put down the Cliffs Notes, you're not going to be needing them THIS time.

Concerning the neighborhood blight that seems to infest all too many cities across our nation, this is a tale of two different approaches to the same problem, that being how to deal with houses that are relatively unfit for habitation. The reasons for abandoned housing are as multi-faceted as a precious gem, and in many cases are worth about as much, when considered in the "big picture" of any major city.

Whether it's due to death of an elderly resident, foreclosure, or even a catastrophe like a fire, it all comes down to the same thing....an empty house in need of a good owner. And like a good employee, a good homeowner these days is hard to find. As a result, many of these homes wind up on the receiving end of the wrecker's ball.

Here in Fort Wayne, I am privy to a neighborhood that I call "in flux". It's been changing over the ten years I have lived here, and not for the better. We see the same scenario played out all over cities in America; Good neighbors leave, bad neighbors move in, houses go into disrepair, crime goes up, houses become abandoned...well, you get the idea. And for those of us who LIKE the house we live in, and believe that with the right impetus, our neighborhoods CAN be revitalized (without a damn new ballpark downtown, I might add) and brought back to something resembling what a NICE neighborhood it could once again become, it becomes a daily struggle to "swim against the current" as it were. You're just plain outnumbered by those who DON'T care.

Fort Wayne is attempting to recreate that "nice neighborhood" venue with their Renaissance Pointe project between Creighton, Anthony, Hanna, and Pontiac Streets. A noble venture to be sure including brand spanking new homes with which to place "moderate income" families. Sixty-seven acres of property ready to be rebuilt into the newest jewel in the crown of this city. I admit to cringing a bit at the word "project". That brings back memories of the 1970s.

In theory, it all seems fantastic. In practicality, I just don't know. If you still had people that felt the way they did (from the 1950s) about their house being a "home", maybe I'd say all well and good. But I can't just see that happening...not today. I can see Renaissance Pointe getting off to a marvelous start, and then in less than ten years, becoming the newest slum in the city. It has happened all too often with other "projects" in other cities, meant for raising people above their poverty.

Fort Wayne has a current demolition list for houses that runs constantly in a backlog, and neighborhoods have to endure this blight of abandoned houses for what seems like years. And it's not NCE's fault. It's all the red tape involved, Sheriff sales that are purchased by deadbeat landlords with visions of dollar signs (and that new Lexus) in their starry eyes galore. It's about not caring WHO is put into these houses that have received JUST BARELY ENOUGH work to pass inspection, with little or no thought as to the impact on the rest of the neighborhood. It's about creating rental "cribs" for transient tenants that move between payment cycles at 3AM in pickup trucks that run with no lights on. It's about having YOUR house assessed at over $70K, while the house up the street is assessed for $7K, and has it's share of dubious occupancy. It's about anything BUT renewal or revitalization. It's really about maintaining a nasty status quo. Our city's answer is to create NEW housing (for homeOWNERS) in the hopes this trend of rental dependence (and property devaluation) can be turned around.

Youngstown, Ohio has taken the road less travelled. They are tearing down all those houses, instead of allowing them to be bought up by the types of landlords mentioned above. Basically, Youngstown would rather "cut their losses", and move forward, than try to keep reclaiming the same areas time and again. They would rather raze every one of these houses than let them continue to be the eyesore they presently are. I wouldn't have thought of Youngstown as being a city with that problem, but I suppose this urban bane has permeated every corner of our nation, leaving no city immune.

Their plan DOES have merit, even if it winds up with fewer (overall) houses in the city's limits. It does pave the way for larger park areas, splitting properties between neighbors (and that type of property tax increase is better than what we endure here), urban bike paths, and a "greener" aspect to the city as a whole. I admit that as a homeowner, I find this intriguing.

Two cities...with two ways of looking at the same problem. I wonder why OUR city didn't even consider such a plan?

It does give one pause to consider the alternatives.