Between 76th and 68th on 196th, South side of the street was this old, dilapidated building, which was just decaying due to neglect. This building one housed the Enterprise, years ago. Before that weekly was absorbed into the Herald. Later in its useful life, it became an AA meeting hall. Finally, though, it became uninhabitable. Boarded up for years, it housed graffiti, pretty vandals, and drugs. Fencing it off simply slowed things them by a few minutes. As time wore on, ownership ignoring the space had me convinced this would either simply collapse from decay, or catch fire.
Yesterday, though, driving past, the building was crashed. Clearly deliberate work. I’m glad to see the space finally being cared for. The space really brought down the area, which is otherwise pretty nice.
I’ve wondered if there was soon be legal issue being wrangled for the space. Those sorts of things can drag on for years, and often are why one sees terrible properties sit for ages. Who will be benefit from it, who will pay? Things that must be figured out before work can even start. And, there always the chance the City ordered the work done and will the seek a judgment against the owners.
Anyway, I’m quite pleased the eyesore is gone. And I look forward to finding out what will go in.
