Urban Blight. No Sense Talking About it

There are as many definitions out there of urban blight as there are examples.  So much so that political dialogue about it has become nothing more than cheap talk.  It is all in front of us if we choose to see it.  This kind of decay always starts with symptoms which are very recognizable.  It could be as simple as missing paint, long standing graffiti, makeshift repairs, broken windows, missing shingles and accumulating junk.  It starts, it grows, and it spreads until it renders a part or whole of a city dysfunctional.  We tend to blame it on abstract concepts like deindustrialization, depopulation, unemployment, fractured families, lack of manpower and political disenfranchisement.  Perhaps partially true but even if that is the case why don't we do anything about it?  The answer may be at the end of our arms.  That is to say, to take charge, to pitch in and to nip urban decay in the bud before it starts to take off.  And if it is already out of control then we not only have a right but also an obligation to fix it.  By whatever means.  That is what our Property Standards Department is for.  For that matter, chipping in with sweat equity is also a real pretty and cheap solution.

Controlling urban decay has a real payback for any community.  A fresh coat of paint and clean yard goes a long way to improving the overall optic of a city.  When we look good, we feel good and when we feel good about ourselves we go out of our way to promote continuous improvement.

So where do we start?  The first and most obvious place is at the top.  Our local politicians have to take inventory of their respective wards and they have to put an action plan into place.  Property Standards are set for a reason so there is no excuse for not enforcing them.  Citizens are an amazing resource.  A little bit of organization and good will goes a long way and in these parts we have proven that over and over.

So how do we start?  Once again we have to start at the top.  Our Mayor has to take ownership of his city.  Together with his council they can set the agenda and put some pretty quick wheels on such a project.  It's funny in one respect.  We voted these politicians in to serve us and our community in the best possible way.  That means that if we ask loud enough they should respond accordingly.  It also means that if they ask us in return to give them a helping hand with such a project then we can easily be there to help out.  So who's asking?

Here are but a few examples of Made in Windsor blight:

Click on images to enlarge.

Condemned and waiting for what?  Repairs?  Arson?

It starts here and it has to be ended here A.S.A.P.

Art in ownership.  Really?

Historical gem just sitting, rotting, doing nothing.

A whole row of decay.  It's been sitting in this condition for years.

Government planned blight.

Blight from an obvious source.

A closer look

Blight as a lifestyle?  Probably not.

The dish farm.  Easily controlled through Property Standards.

Some paint, flowers and tenants.  Why is this place sitting totally vacant?

Why is this allowed?

Planned blight in progress? 

Dish farm, decay, zero lot line. 

No rules in this place?  Dishes could go on the roof too.

The Dish farm.  They can all go on the roof.

A burned out Pita factory.  Its been sitting in this condition for years.  Why?

Pick a siding.  asbestos, bitumen, aluminum or corrugated steel?

Could this kind of Civic improvement be another municipal election platform?