Maybe if neighbors used the new, supercool 311 smartphone app, they'd get a better response?
The garage at 2901 Dupont Avenue North has been, to use the technical term, "messed up" like this for something like a year. Neighbors and members of the revitalizer "busy body" class have made a number of 311 complaints. Usually, 311 produces some kind of magic results. Not quickly, of course, but almost always results happen within months.
But that's not happening, lately, according to...
...Jeff Skrenes, whose "hat collection" of neighborhood roles this month officially became too numerous to list in blog stories where Jeff is mentioned.
Skrenes doesn't understand what dark spell is blocking the usual 311 magic, but he's tired of it and asked me to blog about it. I wasn't sure I'd remember the "2901" garage was on Dupont and I didn't have my notebook handy, just my camera, so in the third photo Jeff makes a small "d" and "u" with his hands so I will remember "Dupont Avenue North."
He's not throwing a gang sign. Really.
However, in another bit of expressive body language, in the top photo Jeff gives the universal gesture for "WTF." Unfortunately, in the struggle to make North Minneapolis better, some of us are forced to make this gesture several times each day.
You guys should make your own gang and thug these scrubs right outta da 'hood do.
ReplyDeleteEver thought of pitching in to help your neighbors fix their garage rather than repeatedly reporting them to the city inspectors?
ReplyDeleteHow nice of Jeff to pose for you.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it it that so many need "Help" North. Should I make them dinner each night too; just because they are not smart enough to eat anything other than processed sludge burgers? When are people expected to become adults in North Minneapolis?
ReplyDeleteSometimes community means more than just calling 311 on our neighbors all the time. Might be a nice idea to talk to them and see whats going on. If they are just neglecting it and don't care, go ahead and take action. If they have financial issues (looks like a pricey project) or some other problem, may be a nice neighborbood pitch-in project. I am a single woman living in an old house in Powderhorn and it gets overwhelming sometimes, especially when I am underwater and fix-up loans are not available. Obviously that homeowner did not cause the damage themselves and may need some help. Community building activities like this help revitalize troubled areas and give neighbors faith and respect in each other.
ReplyDeleteIt might be expensive to hire someone to fix that well, but for $.99 you can buy a small container of nails and at least nail up the hanging pieces. Seriously. If you don't have a hammer, use a rock.
ReplyDeleteAlso, cut the weeds down. Use a steak knife if you have to.
Yes, it would still look terrible, but it's amazing how a little bit of effort can make something look much better. It also shows the neighborhood that you're trying. Maybe it wouldn't be good enough for a long term fix, but perhaps it would be good enough until the homeowner could scrap up some money for a better repair.
Where's a tornado when you need it?
ReplyDeleteDont do any repairs without a permit because Johnyy will get you for that also.
ReplyDeleteFour months later, the mainstream media is reporting on this issue.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/180850711.html