Rowhouses and Belgian block streets (fences, bus, safety)

[ctoocheck]

I'd like to see the block/brick restored (or installed) in lots of places as both an aesthetic and traffic-calming measure, but with strips of more smooth pavement along the edges for bikes (this could be brick which is relatively smooth, or asphalt/concrete). This would also help delineate bike lanes. So brick/block down most of the center of the street with something smoother nearer the curb.

[Herodotus]

At one time, about 25 percent of the units in Homewood were rowhouses. These are rapidly disappearing. About half the houses south of Frankstown, and between Homewood Ave., and Braddock Ave., were at one time rowhouses. This includes the infamous Formosa Way rows, which were just razed, after being empty for about 10 years.

As for Belgian Block, there were miles upon miles of Belgian Block streets in Pittsburgh into the early 70's. By this time, most streetcar service had been discontinued, and the city took advantage of this to undertake a major street paving program. The vast majority of the remaining Belgian Block streets were paved over at this time. Some were left unpaved at the request of the residents, in order to slow down traffic. Belgian Block is a nightmare in the winter, as it tends to ice up very easily, which is a disaster in a hilly city like Pittsburgh.

[Herodotus]

Homewood rows. Some of these have been razed in the last 5 years.

[PreservationPioneer]

Great pictures, Herodotus. Thanks for sharing! These Homewood rows look very similar to the row houses in Stowe Township, and in particular the one I am restoring. They are very affordable to live in (low utilities) and fix up. An affordable and fun alternative to renting! These are also great to practice home repair skills on, and learn how to renovate properties. I have learned so much from my little row house and now feel ready for a bigger project.

[Craziaskowboi]

With just a little T.L.C., many of those rowhouses in Homewood would look pretty awesome.

[Herodotus]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

With just a little T.L.C., many of those rowhouses in Homewood would look pretty awesome.

What leaves you scratching your head, is how some blocks can look so pristine, while a block or two away, the block is in deplorable condition.

These wouldn't be out of place in many very nice areas of the city, or it's suburbs. Look at how neatly the hedges are trimmed.





These wouldn't be out of place in the worst sections of Baltimore, or Philadelphia.

[FreightTrainRunning]

What leaves you scratching your head, is how some blocks can look so pristine, while a block or two away, the block is in deplorable condition.

That's Pittsburgh in a nutshell. I walked almost every street on the Northside in 2008 and saw so many examples of just that. One street would be full of boarded up houses and the next one all clean and tidy.

[PreservationPioneer]

That's because the rows of homes in pristine condition are probably owned by one property investor who rents all of the homes in the row out and maintains them.

When the city starts demolishing and making missing teeth in a row is when it really goes downhill.

[Herodotus]

I saw this in North Philly as well. A neighborhood will look like a war zone, then you turn down another street, and the whole block is in great condition. Landlords who are willing to spend, and who work hard to find, and keep good tenants are a blessing to a neighborhood.

[Uptown kid]

Bennett Street, Cora Street, El Court, Felicia Way, Gerritt Street, Hamilton Avenue, Hermitage Street, Inglenook Place, Kelly Street, Mt. Vernon Street, Stranahan Street, Rosedale Street & Upland Street some bad looking rowhouse sites. Not to mention Formosa Way looked like a street off "the Wire"...

Other bad rowhouse locations:
-Hill District: Bedford Avenue, Bennett Street, Brackridge Street, DeRaud Street, Junilla Street, La Place Street, Reed Street, Moultire Street, Webster Avenue, Webster Terrace & Whylie Avenue
-Northside: Brightridge Street, Brighton Place, Chautauqua Street, Clifton Park Street, Davis Row, Forsythe Avenue, Garfield Avenue, Jacksonia Street, Kirkbride Street, Morrison Street, North Charles Street & Strauss Street,
-Hazelwood: Glen Caldah Street, Glenwood Street & Marsden Street
-Lincoln-Lemington: Clifford Street, Deary Street, Everton Street, Navarro Street & Paulson Avenue
-Larimer: Elmer L Williams Square, Paulson Avenue, Shetland Street, Thompson Street & Turrett Street
-Garfield: Aiken Avenue, Brown Way & Rosetta Street
-East Hills: Conemaugh Street, Seagirt Street & Singer Place