Monday, July 15, 2013

In Need Of Some TLC

4639 N. Broadway, click to enlarge
We pass by this building at 4639 N. Broadway often. You might remember that it was the site of the high-profile standoff with police back in 2011. What is upsetting is that this building sits smack dab in the middle of a struggling retail corridor and neither the tenants or the owner could care less about how it looks to passersby. Some windows have sheets, some windows have broken blinds, some cardboard, some have virtually no window coverings at all. By our estimate, it wouldn't cost much to purchase decent miniblinds to cover all of these windows and what a difference it would make to its curb appeal. Is taking a little pride in where you live too much to ask? The neighboring businesses would be thankful.

18 comments:

  1. We could ask the same thing of the ridiculous stretch of retail along Wilson between Magnolia and Malden where the Starbuck's is. The ownership there is entirely neglectful of the parkway, and the tenants seem to care even less. I regularly collect trash along Each of the lessee's has his own signage with little or no apparent rhyme or reason. I'm surprised that Starbuck's, which almost always leases well-groomed properties, hasn't been more proactive basic things like mowing the grass, repairing the wooden borders around the parkway etc.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know what you mean. Give me a power washer and I will gladly power wash the whole dang neighborhood. I clean up when I walk my neighbors dog and have several ideas for cheep curb appeal. I will make more of an effort in the following weekends. As for these widows.. I would gladly be the guy that goes to each apt. and hands them new blinds. Just give me the opportunity. I am sure they will be grateful as well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I thought the same thing when walking by this building recently.The landlord probably figures that the tenants will just break the blinds.

    I'm with Uptown Revivalist. That mini mart next to Starbucks looks terrible; it's an eyesore, and let's not get started on the Subway, Chiropractor plaza. But at least it's not entirely abandoned.

    Our local psychic has moved out of the storefront just west of the fire station on Wilson.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And paper is up in the window. Wonder what is in store for that space.
      And speaking of vacant storefronts, the former hair salon next to Baker & Nosh now has paper up in the windows. It would be nice if Baker & Nosh expanded. They have really livened up that stretch of Wilson.

      Delete
    2. Baker & Nosh is going to be opening something in the space where the hair salon was. I think good things will happen in the Fontana Grill space as that building gets rehabbed. The old Cupcake Gallery is being used as art exhibition space currently.

      The trees in front of Nigerian Kitchen and Happy [a.k.a. Sad] Wash are in need of serious trimming.

      Delete
    3. I had heard Baker & Nosh was planning to expand but hadn't heard anything definite. That would be wonderful!
      You can also request "tree trim" from the 311 website. Just enter the Nigerian Kitchen's address.

      Delete
    4. Nested replies, when did that happen!? Much welcomed

      Delete
    5. I was tinkering around in the settings and...VOILA! :)

      Delete
  4. Yes and also where jacks restaurant is on Sheridan and Montrose the apts on top needs to be addressed

    ReplyDelete
  5. store next to Starbucks at Wilson and Magnolia is not the worst.... look at this one on the corner of plaza - almost opposite to Subway! how it can be possible that places like this can even operate???

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is when I wish we had property maintenance laws... Stricter ones, that also get enforced.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Perhaps someone could share information on the owner so we can contact them directly....

    ReplyDelete
  8. There certainly is a lot in the neighborhood which could not only use a face-lift, but a good wash down and even a little bit of "deferred maintenance" addressed now. I have wondered about the building addressed in this post (4639 N Broadway). Yes it's in need of some TLC, but it is going to be far more apparent when the new Wilson station stands across the street, and this building is the first thing riders see upon exiting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Subway/Chiropractic mini mall and the Wilson storefronts (Tik Tok, doctor office, new convenience store) are owned by the same guy and I hear he is an absolute nightmare to deal with. He ignores his tenants requests for any common repairs (including emergency roof leaks and broken pipes) and could care less about the condition of the exterior or the surrounding areas. I know that at least one of the business owners has brought this to the attention of our Alderman. My point is, contacting that owner is pointless, especially because he ignores the people who pay him rent.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bad Brad, I was speaking of the initial focus of this conversation, no Broadway... before this convo got hijacked just a bit..

    ReplyDelete
  11. This building, and pretty much this whole block, is a total embarassment. When riding the El, people look down and that is the impression they get of Uptown.

    ReplyDelete
  12. oh to have money and criticize those who have not. what person WITH money would want to live like that or there? its obvious that the residents don't. and to say they don't care how it looks to passerby's??? no sh*t! they have bigger concerns, they have more important priorities. the only way Uptown is going to thrive is if the poor and the rich and the new and old residents get together. but from articles like this and the comments it generates don't expect it anytime soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for realizing that mini-blinds are nowhere near their priority list.

      Delete