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.
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