Showing posts with label 2610 Newton Ave. N.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2610 Newton Ave. N.. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Wiped Off The Face Of The Earth: 2655 Oliver Ave. N. And 2610 Newton Ave. N.

2655 Oliver Ave. N.
2610 Newton Ave. N.
Contributed photos, xoxo, blog post by John Hoff

Though it's sad to see old houses torn down, some of these structures that stood for one hundred years, many or even most of the houses being demolished in North Minneapolis are the worst of the worst. This was undoubtedly true of 2610 Newton Ave. N. It may not have been so true of 2655 Oliver Ave. N. but, well, that one is gone, too.

Both of these houses have been featured here, previously, on Johnny Northside Dot Com. In the case of...


...2655 Oliver Ave. N., this structure featured a scary little garage which kinda sort LOOKED like it might be occupied by squatters, but apparently never was, click here. This house was empty for a number of years and often featured litter in the yard from hookers and other no-accounts who frequented that corner. The house was sometimes tagged with the name of a particular gang which this blog will refrain from mentioning by name. But now I guess the gang will have to purchase flower seeds to spell out their identity on the vacant lot.

In the case of 2610 Newton Ave. N., this house has been tracked closely on this blog.

1. The house burned up, click here for article.

2. A closer look at the damage, click here.

3. Half a year after the house burns to a crisp, eviction paperwork hits the exterior. Better late than never, click here.

4. In February of this year, nobody is clearing the sidewalk. Surprise, surprise and CLICK HERE.

So now this blog post documents the demolition of the house. Considering the house stood for so long as an ugly, burned out shell, its demolition definitely represents progress.

Yet how much of this "progress" can our neighborhood take before there is no neighborhood left?

Clearly, North Minneapolis needs certain structures demolished; first and foremost the ones burned to a crisp. But what we need much worse are home owners willing to pour resources into saving and renovating these houses.

Blogging From Wisconsin Dells

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Half A Year After House Burns, Eviction Paperwork...

Photo and blog post by John Hoff

In July of last year, the house at 2610 Newton Ave. N. went up in flames. At the time the house burned, it was a neglected ruin periodically occupied by individuals who seemed to be squatters.

Soon after the fire, 2610 was boarded up and ever since it has sat, an empty scorched shell.

So when I saw paperwork hit the side of the house a couple days ago, I figured it was a raze order. Finally.

No such luck. The paperwork is an EVICTION ORDER.

Holy water would have had more effect, and not been so hard on the trees. But, oh well, i's must be dotted, and t's must be crossed. Hopefully, the eviction order moves the fate of this property closer to some kind of resolution, which I strongly suspect will involve a backhoe and then a long period of time where green grass grows, and seldom gets mowed, and neighbors think, "Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we could find a way to put a community garden on that vacant lot?"

And they will ask themselves, "I wonder who owns the lot?"

And they will answer themselves, "Probably some bank which really doesn't give a rip about our neighborhood and this piece of property. Sigh."

And so it goes.

But, generally, it goes in the direction of revitalization progress.

(Do not click "Read More")