13 Responses to “a walk on the grubby side”

1. posted by Lisa at March 2, 2008 10:32 pm :
   

   Speaking of grubby I recently took a walk on east Grace and East Franklin St and was saddened to see the grounds and gardens of many homes neglected, in need of a clean with little to no unlandscaping. Such a lovely area but looking like no one cares. I had heard from a friend that the Hill was going ‘down hill’ and was truly sorry to witness it myself.

2. posted by william at March 2, 2008 10:47 pm :
   

   Uhhhh….we’re just coming out of winter….Most landscapes don’t look particularly attractive at this time of year. Give it about a month or so when things start to green up and bloom and folks are more inspired to be outside doing yardwork.

3. posted by Dandelion at March 2, 2008 11:16 pm :
   

   What part of Franklin St were you walking on? I can assure you that us folks on Franklin St take our front Gardens very seriously. Come back in a week or two when you actually see some flowers. Or in a few months when all of the plants are up. Judging peoples grounds and gardens when it’s still winter before people have done their spring cleaning is a little ridiculous.

4. posted by john_m at March 3, 2008 6:59 am :
   

   For reference, the photo above is almost a mile or so north of the St.John’s district, in one of the alleys around 21st and Fairmount.

5. posted by Lisa at March 3, 2008 3:50 pm :
   

   Dandelion, I walked from 29 st. west to 25 st on both Franklin, Grace and Broad.The property on the southwest corner of Broad and 29 St was particularly bad. I understand, as a Gardener, that plants are still dormant but I am still saddened to see that many homes neglect to sweep their areas and pick up ’stuff’ both natural and man made. The point of this post is not to come down on the neighborhood but to encourage it to have the pride of ownership that I saw in times past. Other then the above Church Hill is a feast for the eyes.

6. posted by william at March 3, 2008 8:12 pm :
   

   Lisa…what “times past” are you referencing? Are you implying that the neighborhood looked cleaner in late winter
   of years past? I’m not so sure I am with you on that one. BTW the property on the southwest corner of Broad and 29th is a rental duplex. So much for the “pride of ownership” I’m amazed that you chose that property to highlight…yet on the northeast corner of Broad and 29th stands the so-called “Church Hill Market”. If there ever were an eyesore in the neighborhood…. A good strong wind just may take that place down!

7. posted by Lisa at March 3, 2008 11:34 pm :
   

   Since the market has always been an ‘eyesore’ I didn’t think of mentioning it. I know the other corner property is a rental but I never saw it look that bad. By in ‘the past’ I was refering to a couple of years ago.

8. posted by Dandelion at March 4, 2008 2:36 pm :
   

   Things looked better a couple years ago? I’ve been here for only three years but I have seen so many places restored in that time frame that I’m just amazed. Just going around blocks north of broad and watch them being transformed. (Check out the Before/After pics on this website.) The same has happened south of broad. I know three houses on my block that have been restored in that time frame, including mine! So one or two properties is what you judge going “downhill” while the dozens that have been restored to glory are just ignored?

9. posted by william at March 4, 2008 7:52 pm :
   

   Yup… I’m confused too. Lisa, what was better a few years ago that has since slipped? There have always been spotty pockets on every block of even the most desirable blocks in the Hill…but overall, the improvements are numerous. Could it be that the nicely maintained properies don’t stand out as much as before since they are no so “in the minority” anymore? Maybe your expectations have been raised by the urban pioneers that rescued so many of these homes?

10. posted by lynne at March 4, 2008 8:42 pm :
    

    are similar walks being planned for other parts of the Hill?

11. posted by john_m at March 4, 2008 8:49 pm :
    

    These were set up by across the city by sector. There were 2 walks in the area for sectors 111 and 113. As to there being similar walks planned — I haven’t heard anything, but it would be a good idea. Especially regarding the walk in Sector 113, it was really great to know that the police are seeing what we are seeing and to get their promises of specific actions.

12. posted by lynne at March 5, 2008 11:36 pm :
    

    definitely worth investigating. i know of, ahem, a few places in my sector that could use some attention. i’ve sent letters, to no avail.

13. posted by Church Hill People’s News » First Precinct creates litter cleanup program - Richmond, Virginia at April 9, 2008 8:23 pm :
    

    [...] several city departments. You might’ve met Officer Ford at a recent neighborhood meeting or last month’s Sector 111/113 walks. [...]

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