Great work. It's amazing to see what dedicated people can accomplish. It's easy to get cynical about so many things - but this story shows that a group of volunteers can actually make a major difference that will have a long-term impact on the social and historical fabric of the neighborhood. You guys really should be proud of what you have managed to accomplish so far.
Oh don't stop being cynical yet, you'd be amazed at the fights we've had during this process, with code enforcement over one thing or another, and with SPAR which continues to try and cut us out of the loop and undermine our efforts, while paradoxically also trying to take credit for the results. I guess old habits die hard.
But it's not all bad, along the way we've gotten some amazing help from the folks at the HPC and the building department, who have been very supportive. I think they all wanted something like this to happen, there just wasn't a group out there for them to play ball with. Before us, the neighborhood's 'preservation' group was actually causing many of the demolitions. Thankfully those days are over.
We do have one problem that all of you can help us solve. We've stabilized and mothballed these structures, but we need to find them a "forever family" willing to spruce them up and live in them. So far we've found one home a new owner, but we have other properties seeking loving families. The only restriction is that you have to fix it up, not demolish it. Please contact me or any of the other PSOS members if you are interested, so we can arrange a tour.
