Making an area safe by buying a whole block (Pittsburgh: rent, high crime)

[jimmyev]

A co-worker of mine lives in Washington, PA, considered a 'bad' area by people in Washington County. As his neighbors sell their houses, he's been buying them, since the price is usually around $20,000. Since he can control his immediate environment, it makes him feel safer.

This started me thinking. Whole blocks in places like Homewood or Wilkinsburg are worth less than $250,000. Why wouldn't someone buy a whole block? Even if you had to put razor wire around it? Has anyone considered this, or is it a really stupid idea? With the right security systems...

[subdivisions]

Originally Posted by jimmyev

A co-worker of mine lives in Washington, PA, considered a 'bad' area by people in Washington County. As his neighbors sell their houses, he's been buying them, since the price is usually around $20,000. Since he can control his immediate environment, it makes him feel safer.

This started me thinking. Whole blocks in places like Homewood or Wilkinsburg are worth less than $250,000. Why wouldn't someone buy a whole block? Even if you had to put razor wire around it? Has anyone considered this, or is it a really stupid idea? With the right security systems...

I have totally considered this idea myself.

All I need is a lottery win...

Of course, being a social scientist, I also want to combine the "whole block" idea with a few other interesting things....

[ditchdigger]

Unless there's some statistical evidence that most crime is commited by residents of the same block, I think it's sort of pointless. (And it would take a whole lot less razor wire to surround just your own house...)

[PreservationPioneer]

Washington, PA is actually a nice little town. It has some great street-level businesses and historic buildings. I don't ever feel unsafe there.

As for buying whole blocks, I wish people would do this in neighborhoods like Homewood and Lincoln-Lemington, and start rehabbing and reselling the houses. I don't know if it would work, though?

[greg42]

Interesting way to use extra houses on your block:

A Safe Street in Pittsburgh: Interesting Times : The New Yorker

[Tiger Beer]

Biggest reason is you are probably less secure having a block of empty houses all around you. I think it would be better to have people in them.

If you feel that the neighors you'll be getting are much worse than an empty house there...then, hmm...tough call!

I also think it if came down to having to 'secure' an entire block...you're better off with securing and monitoring a smaller area like your own house, etc.

Anyways, INTERESTING post for sure!

[BrianTH]

The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation is basically doing this on a slightly larger scale in Wilkinsburg: they have selected a relatively compact neighborhood, Hamnett Place, and are in the midst of buying up, rehabbing, and then selling off properties in this neighborhood.

I'd agree, though, that in the long run you are likely better off being surrounded by improved properties and good neighbors, as opposed to a lot of vacant properties surrounded by razor wire. So to make this work well you would probably need a bit more money than most urban pioneers have available (e.g., the PHLF project in Hamnett Place is budgeted for many millions).

[groar]

there are also a few "urban pioneer" types who bought and rehabbed houses in hamnett place in wilkinsburg in general pre-PHLF, and rent them out. not necessarily the same block, but it's the same general concept. it certainly is easy to do in wilkinsburg where houses can cost $10k or less and many properties are abandoned. my husband and i have daydreamed about doing the same thing, although we have mixed feelings about being landlords. certainly the mere fact of taking care of your properties can do wonders for a block or neighborhood.

the thing is, an improved block in or next to a high crime area can become a target for crime. the first block of edgewood next to wilkinsburg near the school for the deaf (hutchinson ave) is really nice, but based on what i've observed they have more break-ins and robberies than my block, which is not very far into wilkinsburg and is a lot more run down. i don't think it makes it not worth it to improve houses in run-down areas, but it is something to take into account.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by groar

there are also a few "urban pioneer" types who bought and rehabbed houses in hamnett place in wilkinsburg in general pre-PHLF, and rent them out. not necessarily the same block, but it's the same general concept. . . . certainly the mere fact of taking care of your properties can do wonders for a block or neighborhood.

Good point. Although that might fall short of total control of your environment, I think urban pioneers can and do have a notable positive impact on their surroundings by acquiring at least a few more properties around them.

[TRO Z]

That's exactly how urban renewal starts...Typically not one guy, you will run out money

You start with 5 to 7 independent investors, you pick an area with good housing stock that has been pillaged...You each do 3 or 4 nice rehabs, put a great propaganda spin on the area and watch the other bottom feeder investors come running...Then comes Susie and johnny homeowner to their new urban home and hopefully they bring their friends...

Where Pittsburgh falls apart, is after the initial investors sell off their properties and the propoganda machine ends...Those areas have a very difficult time keeping or maintaining the momentum that was built...