Thursday, June 10, 2010

Suddenly, Activity At "The House That (Almost) Made Me Barf"


Photos and blog post by John Hoff

The big white house at 722 23rd Ave. N. has been vacant for several years, not counting squatters. This house achieved an extraordinarily minor degree of blog notoriety as the "House That (Almost) Made Me Barf," though I didn't actually list its address at the time I wrote that blog post.

A few days ago, workers showed up at the house...

...and I thought, "Oh, how exciting. Desperate looking, almost certainly low-paid workers with a grossly overloaded Chevy pick-up, cleaning out the interior. Could this be an early indication of who owns the house, and who is going to move into that house and how many times neighbors will need to call 911, 311 and their city council person? Yes, probably. Well, may as well get started early."

I called up the city and it turns out the owner has a permit to remodel. Sigh. Well, on the bright side...this house will probably get some better nickname in the very near future. I just hope it's a nice nickname, not something like "The House Of The Naked Screaming Crackhead." There is an opportunity to observe, to report, and to influence. I hope to get some nice neighbors.

But I'm going to do everything I can to make SURE I get some nice neighbors.

8 comments:

Oklahoma said...

You should be happy that someone is doing something with the property John. You've had your fair share of problems with your property. Don't be too self righteous.

But I suppose you won't post this because that would require you to be honest and expose your own hypocrisy.

la_vie_en_rose said...

I just read that old post. Ugh! Be thankful you took a whiff and not a sip!

Anonymous said...

You seem sad that they pulled a permit. Can't you just be happy that people are working and leave them alone? You are so bitter, what did someone do to you that makes you so bitter.

Johnny Northside! said...

I guess what I could say is: I figure there's something happening that needs to be reported, but can I catch it? No, I can't.

Anonymous said...

If common sense and a healthy skepticism is bitterness, keep being bitter, John! I've driven behind that pickup on Lowry and wondered 1) how it didn't explode and 2) why it didn't get pulled over. Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised and it will be a top notch remodel, but the initial impression has to make you wonder (unless you choose to have your head in the sand).

Anonymous said...

I've only seen shit stacked that high one other place.....two words.....Spanky Pete!

Folwell Fox said...

I think John is calling it like it is, and his initial impression is probably accurate, he's screwed! The Sanford and Son hooptie that clearly doesn't pass MnDot. muster is evident of that.

DeeLight said...

MNDOT isn't the best authority when it comes to putting things together in a structurally sound manner.

But I agree with JNS. It doesn't look good.