Look at the intersection of Blair and Monroe on Live Maps (roughly 2005-2006)

Live Maps

http://tinyurl.com/5fbj8h



Same view on Street View, in 2008

Street View

http://tinyurl.com/5tp367



Nice to see these buildings with intact windows, and one with a car out front. Progress.



Unfortunately, a block over at the NW corner of Monroe and Florissant shows a large building with a collapsed roof and a blue tarp over it. So, obviously there's still a lot of work to be done.

that's awesome

That's part of the North Market Apartments, which was part of the CONECT Project. You can actually see the renovation work in progress on the stalite imagery.

The Google Car toured a lot of Detroit.



Google can probably afford another camera.

migueltejada wrote:I'm still surprised that these google cars weren't carjacked driving through these and other dangerous neighbourhoods. Seems like an idea targets - everyday cars that can be easily chopped, plus lots of high-tech electronics equipment that can be pawned for high value. Clearly, the criminal element in our fair city isn't too much on the ball.

Good point. I think my neighbors and I were at a design charrette or Quality of Life meeting or we would have been out carjacking. Next time.

Yes, well, I was certainly accousted when I last walked through the area, accousted by various residents who came running out of their homes to inquire:



why was I there?



what was I doing?



Did I want the contact information for the owner of the building I was eyeing?



See, I was walking around that 'nabe on a sunny day, looking at properties, spinning fantasies.



I was very impressed, really I was, when people came out to talk with me about the rehab potential of these houses. I thought this signalled proactive, aware residents. Twice this happened. Very impressive.

GelatinousEndive wrote:I was very impressed, really I was, when people came out to talk with me about the rehab potential of these houses. I thought this signalled proactive, aware residents. Twice this happened. Very impressive.

What? No one tried to rob you? Us north siders are losing our touch.



What is going to happen to the stereotypes?!



Think of the poor ignorant masses -- they need to feed their fear!

Out of curiosity, and I couldn't tell from either one of those google maps, where is the nearest grocery store?

The nearest real grocery is City Grocers. There's a food place at 14th and Cass, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for a typical grocery. There is also the north city farmers market on Saturday morning during the growing season. That is located at 14th and St. Louis, across from Crown Candy.

On my end of ONSL (near Hyde Park), the nearest grocery store is the Schnucks on N Grand, just south of the famous water tower and across from Divoll Library. Prices a lot better than City Grocers. It is a smaller store, no deli, but works fine for basics. The biggest problem is disinvestment -- the Schnuck company sends us the wisest produce and most carefully aged meat in the metro area I think, so you have to be a little more choosy when you pick your peppers, and I avoid the meat altogether if it is not cured somehow. Closes at 8 pm. This is not a dangerous area, just seriously underfunded infrastructure-wise. The cashiers take care of you though... if you buy the mid-size package and the full-size is half-off they will tell you to go back and save yourself some money.



If you want to run into ONSL neighbors at the grocery store, you generally have a lot of luck at the Schnucks on the Hill at Arsenal/Kingshwy. We can hop on 70 just north of the dome and swing around that way in 10-15 minutes. A lot of folks do their larger shopping there. Usually on the way to/from another errand at the Home Depot further south.