Regenesis on Maple & Midwood
On Monday I had walked east to Kingston Avenue, weaving back and forth on some of the side streets but focusing upon Maple and Midwood Streets. I had been very surprised at the amount of construction: newly completed, in process, and vacant lots awaiting treatment of some kind. Despite taking some notes as I grabbed pics, it was later confusing to sort it all out simply viewing files and notes. There is that much construction within a couple of blocks.
Yesterday, I headed back with a more direct route in mind and, again, took lots more pics with a clearer sense of location. I had thought it might be an interesting exercise to create an image map of this area based on newly constructed buildings, vacant lots, and construction in process. Though when as I began to compile the data I realized my limited time wouldn’t do justice to the project.
I spoke to one long-term resident I encountered in this specific area on Maple who held a laissez-faire attitude about the change. No, it didn’t bother him that much at all, “out with the old, in with the new,” he told me. I cannot offer an opinion on what was torn down in order for the new buildings to exist because I never saw them. But without a doubt, confirmed by Mr. Laissez Faire, there have been tear-downs of old buildings.
For the sake of argument, lets just say the torn down buildings were in bad shape, really bad, and had nothing worthy of an attempted renovation. I can accept that. What I have a great struggle with is 1) the design of these new buildings, 2) the lack of any kind of provision for usable outside space adjacent to the sidewalk (no sense of communication between the world and the building, and 3) turning front yards, stoop area, etc. into parking spaces. This is, of course, my opinion — you may feel differently.
Not to overlook my photos, I have placed them in a set on flickr. If you would like to see something sad, to me anyway, have a look at some of the new or relatively new structures – all exisiting on these four blocks located only a couple of blocks from the Lefferts historic district. Then walk or drive by someday to experience the real impact.
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