All posts in the topic Seward's housing stock (Short link)
Summary
- There are 2 posts — by 2 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Carol Greenwood at May 26 20:14 UTC
I've had similar conversations with multiple people lately, and the
theme has been this - Seward is a great location between the two
cities, and has a lot of good amenities. They'd like to live here,
but they're put off by some of the really shoddy houses.
I've also noticed that well-cared-for Seward homes don't stay on the
market long, despite the broader market difficulties.
Vacant lots and cheap tear-downs are at a premium in the city
(indeed, both cities). Other neighborhoods have local architects
trying out things like the WeeHouse, Flatpak, and various green
projects. Yet the best that could be done on the corner across from
the child care center is a "builder's choice" project. (Which is of
course thousands of times better than what was there.)
It's clear that there was a time when innovative people were
investing in Seward homes. Anyone have thoughts on what was different
then?
What would it take to get some of the particularly dilapidated or
boarded houses torn down? (I'm thinking in particular but not
exclusively of the place on 25th Street near the Cliquot Club.)
Becca Vargo Daggett
34th Ave, down the alley from the Birchwood
Now this is a really meaty topic! Everyone I've talked with on this
topic (barring my selective memory) says 'I'd like to live or rent in
Seward but it's hard to find something to rent or buy in my price
range.' I've never heard anyone express reservations about the "shoddy"
houses, but I've certainly noticed them. I'd be curious to know which
are rentals with absentee landlords and which are public housing. Do we
have any kind of maps anyone has done about analyzing these factors as
well as home valuations by block? We have a broad range of incomes
and educational levels in the neighborhood, but do we know these
neighbors and why they are living in very small or poorly maintained
houses? A lot of the original housing stock was large farmhouses and
homes built by middle income craftsmen. Many smaller houses built
between 1890 and 1950 were designed to accomodate immigrants and
railroad and factory workers (e.g. Milwaukee Ave. for railroad workers,
housing in the 25th St. to 27th St. blocks between 26th Ave. and 34th
Ave. approximately for Minneapolis Moline and other smaller industrial
plants). A lot of improved infill housing (older homes that were
upgraded) were financed by more liberal housing loans, GI bill,
progressive energy conservation re-design financed by Carter programs,
HUD & block grants, and middle class affluence growing during the 70's
and into the '80's.
I think that the Seward West activists who preserved Milwaukee Ave.
would have a lot of great comments to make on this topic.
We have a lot of architects in the neighborhood. Are they more focussed
on historic preservation rather than imaginative energy-conserving
re-hab of existing single family and duplex structures? Or are they
more focussed on commercial and corporate design? A lot of public money
and private investment has gone into large commercial projects--office
space, corporate campusses, shopping centers, and high end condos.
In reaction to the two infill contractor spec houses built recently,
some good energy conservation features have been incorporated, but
orientation for passive solar heating has really been missed,
particularly on 26th. IIMO any new house or major rehab should be
oriented with major windows on the south, a south-facing roof
(regardless of the rest of the houses on the street), and openable
windows for summer ventilation.
I'm looking forward to more comments on this very interesting topic.
Carol Greenwood