prediction: we're going to regret losing these homes
i've mentioned before that i think it's a terrible thing that we're knocking down historic row houses in favor of new construction here in the old city. well, it looks like we're going to be losing even more in the blocks around north capitol street.
scott roberts, who runs the bloomingdale listserv, posted a message on the eckington listserv (you have to subscribe to read the messages here) about the impending razing of 4 houses:
32 P Street NE
24 P Street NE
27 Florida Avenue NE
29 Florida Avenue NE
that's another 4 old row houses that are going to be knocked down for who knows what.
to those of you in bloomingdale and eckington who think that it's not a good idea to get the neighborhoods historically designated, let me just say that i think you're wrong. we can disagree on this fact, but i believe that eventually, this is going to lead to the destruction of the fabric that makes these neighborhoods unique, and that's the almost entirely intact rows of original row houses.
5 comments:
Those houses are on the ugly screwed up block and technically in the NE section of Truxton. I disagree, that block is so f'ed up 1/2 of what's there needs to be wiped from the earth. What ever is on the Florida Ave side, there is barely any sidewalk there as the structures are too close to the road. Then there are already a few cleared lots on the block already.
If you're rich and can afford 'hostorical' facades to renovate or buy renovated, you are right, it's a shame. For most people who are looking for reasonably priced housing, it's a good thing. Instead of 1 expensive house, you get a few cheaper condos, and slightly higher inventory of housing, which eases housing prices in the long run.
If the "ugly" houses were restored to their original grandeur you'd probably change your mind. The current property owner wants to depress the prices to consolidate the block for an office building. Gee, what a great replacement idea. I'm for historic preservation. And I would further argue that the sidewalk will not get any wider once the office building goes up.
I'm always puzzled with the older-is-better mentality. People should be able to do whatever they want with whatever they own. That's how we progress artistically and architecturally. ANd I moved from a non-historical district to one, and trust me, you don't want it. THe HPO is run by arrogant children. When you're required to pay twice as much for windows that look exactly the same (and I mean exactly) so the materials are somehoe "historic," you'll regret it.
i have to disagree, sanjaya, with your assertion that this is an "older-is-better" mentality. i think it's just a desire to preserve what we have left, when we've lost tons of what made these neighborhoods what they were already. look at the unit block of new york avenue ne. all those houses are gone.
of course, over time, we're going to keep losing houses. nothing lasts forever, but i see no problem in preserving what we can for as long as we can until we inevitably lose them to the ravages of time.
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