This picture was taken some 3 years back of a house on the 1500 block of 3rd Street, NW. Since this picture was taken and I ranted about it’s ugliness in 2004, I have yet to see anybody living in it. Three years and nothing, all that ugly for naught. Of course the house might have other problems.
Another house that has seemingly sat vacant for years is at the corner of Marion and Q Sts NW. It is not so much ugly as it is confusing. There are two windows, one sitting on top of the other, allowing light into a space, well I’m not sure how that space is to be used. It would make a lovely spot for a spiral staircase, but I’m not sure where one would be going and the reasons for traffic flow in and out are not obvious. Now, it looks like there might have been a door there long time ago, and maybe the house was renovated to look like this but it just don’t make no sense.
Lastly, not a house but a business, is the Check ‘n’ Go or the rob people of their paycheck with usury fees. Note the top portions where windows have been busted in and out and the masonry (you may need to click on the photo to get to a bigger image). Yes, I know Historic Districts would prevent the remuddling, and make my whites whiter, my brights brighter and reduce crime by 98%. But some of you know how I hate history being prostituted out for reasons other than strong history. Besides, ugly remuddling would be true to the historic slum look because the ‘Shaw’ identity seems to be more 1960s urban renewal than 1890s Victorian. And what’s more true to the story than a check cashing place in a messed up building?
I believe in the invisible hand of the market coming down and smiting those who would make the ugly. They have been punished by their wickedness with properties that bear little fruit. May those who screwed up residential properties wail and nash their teeth and pay the vacant property tax. As for the ugly commercial property, maybe location, location, location may override the ugly when a business is looking for a place to be (and I don’t see a long life for the check cashing place), or maybe not.
6 thoughts on “U.G.L.Y. you ain't got no alibi”
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just gotta hope and pray that that stretch of 7th will see some kind of future glory days…for now, just hope that no one gets hurt.
awesome post, #3 truly goes into the WTF files. I looked at #2 back in 2003 before it was painted like lemon custard. The whole place was inexplicable. from those windows on top of eachother it got worse. the place was kinda split into 2 apartments with sort of kitchens. the slap happy “renovation” included items such as cheap carpet not actually tacked down laid right up to the cheap fireplaces screaming fire hazard or a random garden hose coming out of the wall leading to a hole in the floor. walls in strange places…really weird stuff.
Right there with you yo…I have not seen the third street house but the one at Marion and Q is thisclose to mi casa. As for Check and Go supposedly all renovations were “illegal” and DCRA is going after them (bet someone got $$$).
wildcats!
yikes!
those are some FUGLY arsed properties!
i hate it when people mar history like that.
2nd Anon post of the day has to go. People stand behind your words.