What Happened? 1.04.2007 | 0 Comment(s)

Last month I wrote about 5401 Itaska, a problem property in the Southampton neighborhood. A week or so after that post I noticed a few changes at the corner of Macklind and Itaska. The most welcome change is that 5401 Itaska no longer smells like pee when you approach it. The other change is that the loud TV/Music is gone...the building is totally silent. Someone still lives on the property or is coming in and making "repairs" to it. The door along Macklind that has been secured from the outside with plywood and padlocks has had the plywood spray painted or stained brown to match the frame of the door. The job was done in a sloppy manner and the stain/paint didn't cover very well.

According to a CSB complaint dated 12/13/06, there were stray animals loose on the property. I never saw animals outside, so I assume the lived inside the building. I still do not understand how a property can have 39 complaints against it and still remain in the hands of the property owner, especially when this building could be a huge asset to the neighborhood. I'm going to continue to see what happens here, I hope the City does too.