East Austin Gentrification: Hallelujah! (Post: rent, condos, houses)

[GPax]

East Austin is the bee's knees, but some thangs have to go:

* Shabby houses ready to fall apart with just one wrong breeze.
* Loose dogs running around like it's Bartertown.
* Never-picked-up junk eternally piled at the curb - especially the ever-fashionable unwanted toilet.
* Post-apocalyptic yards that have never seen a rake, green plants, mulch or a garbage-free spot.
* Graffiti.
* Directionless kids and their parent or parents who don't seem to hold discernible employment but have plenty of dough for parties, drugs, diesel rigs, rims, bass and more toilets.
* The lack of sidewalks.
* Raggedy corner stores that - with dirty spaces, iron bars and torn-up parking lots - contribute their fair share of blight.
* The scofflaws who throw cans, cigarette boxes and fast-food packages to the ground or creek as they pass.
* The hideous public-housing projects that have lasted far past their time.
* Folks who think front yards are for parking.

Dis.gust.ing. I've never understood behaviors that destroy neighborhoods rather than lift them. And no matter how poor folks are, they can still afford a broom, a will to organize for the betterment of community and some common sense.

Now, if the increasing gentrification of East Austin - it will not be stopped, folks - brings cool coffee shops with Wi-Fi, housing that belongs in the 21st century, folks who understand that this city has a leash law and neighbors and businesses that actually care about their community and accountability, I've just one collective thing to say to those who've done East Austin wrong: "Bye, and take your toilet with you!"

[scm53]

Originally Posted by GPax

Now, if the increasing gentrification of East Austin - it will not be stopped, folks - brings cool coffee shops with Wi-Fi, housing that belongs in the 21st century, folks who understand that this city has a leash law and neighbors and businesses that actually care about their community and accountability, I've just one collective thing to say to those who've done East Austin wrong: "Bye, and take your toilet with you!"

A hipster Stepford. How have we lived without this until now?

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by GPax

[font=Arial]Now, if the increasing gentrification of East Austin - it will not be stopped, folks - brings cool coffee shops with Wi-Fi, housing that belongs in the 21st century, folks who understand that this city has a leash law and neighbors and businesses that actually care about their community and accountability, I've just one collective thing to say to those who've done East Austin wrong: "Bye, and take your toilet with you!"

So you're leaving? Sorry to see you go!

[atxcio]

It's called character. Want to live in hipsterville without so much of the troublesome "character"? Move to SoCo. Rent is about the same.

[riaelise]

This has to be a troll post. Someone please pimp slap this person.

[GPax]

Just a property owner who doesn't find blight awesome. Good to see movements and transitions that help change it for the better.

[brattpowered]

Originally Posted by GPax

East Austin is the bee's knees, but some thangs have to go:

* Shabby houses ready to fall apart with just one wrong breeze.
* Loose dogs running around like it's Bartertown.
* Never-picked-up junk eternally piled at the curb - especially the ever-fashionable unwanted toilet.
* Post-apocalyptic yards that have never seen a rake, green plants, mulch or a garbage-free spot.
* Graffiti.
* Directionless kids and their parent or parents who don't seem to hold discernible employment but have plenty of dough for parties, drugs, diesel rigs, rims, bass and more toilets.
* The lack of sidewalks.
* Raggedy corner stores that - with dirty spaces, iron bars and torn-up parking lots - contribute their fair share of blight.
* The scofflaws who throw cans, cigarette boxes and fast-food packages to the ground or creek as they pass.
* The hideous public-housing projects that have lasted far past their time.
* Folks who think front yards are for parking.

Dis.gust.ing. I've never understood behaviors that destroy neighborhoods rather than lift them. And no matter how poor folks are, they can still afford a broom, a will to organize for the betterment of community and some common sense.

Now, if the increasing gentrification of East Austin - it will not be stopped, folks - brings cool coffee shops with Wi-Fi, housing that belongs in the 21st century, folks who understand that this city has a leash law and neighbors and businesses that actually care about their community and accountability, I've just one collective thing to say to those who've done East Austin wrong: "Bye, and take your toilet with you!"

Ladies and gentlemen, the 21st century Austinite. We have arrived!

[usernamenottaken]

I can see the OP's point re: "I've never understood behaviors that destroy neighborhoods rather than lift them. And no matter how poor folks are, they can still afford a broom, a will to organize for the betterment of community and some common sense."

Character? Maybe, but I just don't buy the defense "that's what makes America great", people having the "freedom" to live like slobs, let their children and pets run wild, and infringe other other people's rights to live in a civilized society. Maybe the young people (aka Hipsters) of America will be able to change this lazy, don't give a **** attitude that has developed in this Country. What's wrong with things being better? Seems like people have been OK with things getting worse, that's easier I guess.

I'm too old to be a Hipster, maybe a Hippie. Having a social conscience is something that was void for the last 20 years, hopefully it's making a comeback.

What is a shame is that developers are given free reign to change the landscape of the city and people without a voice (or money and influence) just have to move. I don't know how to stop it, or if it can be...

I don't agree that East Austin would be better off being taken over with fancy condos and hipster bars and restaurants, but it would be nice if people would take some responsibility and pride in their own neighborhood and their lives. I love vibe of East Austin and hope the mix of new and old urban can live harmoniously.

Most issues aren't black and white, but somewhere in the middle.

[ScoPro]

usernamenottaken is correct, but east siders aren't the only ones who have trashed up their surroundings. Not to mention the west side powers that have intentionally placed most of the undesirable NIMBY utility facilities east of 35.

Y'all should've seen 6th Street before it gentrified.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

Not to mention the west side powers that have intentionally placed most of the undesirable NIMBY utility facilities east of 35.

And it is the removal of those facilities - the tank farm, the Holly power plant - that have made east Austin more susceptible to gentrification. Just as much to blame as those evil, greedy "developers". If there wasn't demand, there wouldn't be anything to develop, would there?