East 10th Street: An Update
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Neighborhoods, New Development on Jun 19th, 2013Five years ago, I took a stroll down East 10th Street, and made a photo essay of my journey. Â There have been enough changes along the way that I figured an update was due. Â I took some photos a few weeks ago on my way to Better Blocks, and will add some other updates for some things I haven’t photographed.
First up, I will feature a few buildings that are new within the past 5 years:
This new apartment building for seniors is a personal favorite.
Image Credit: Kevin Kastner
Image Credit: Kevin Kastner
The People’s Health Center:
Image Credit: Kevin Kastner
Jefferson Apartments, which I featured in 2010:
Image Credit: Kevin Kastner
Thankfully, not all of the work that is happening along East 10th Street has been of the top-down, government program variety. Â Here is what the Tick Tock Lounge looked like in 2008:
Image Credit: Kevin Kastner
And here is what it looks like now:
Image Credit: Kevin Kastner
This building appeared to be abandoned in 2008:
Image Credit: Kevin Kastner
The building has been restored, and is the home to Tim and Julie’s Another Fine Mess:
Image Credit: Tim & Julie’s Another Fine Mess
This place had been renovated, but was empty. It is now home to Green Bean Boutique and Made For Each Other art gallery.
Image Credit: Kevin Kastner
The link above also mentions Pogue’s Run Grocer, which is new in the past 5 years:
Image Credit: Kevin Kastner
Finally, I wasn’t able to get any photos of the new Clifford Corners development, but more can be seen on the East 10th Street Civic Association webpage.
This an interesting time for East 10th Street. Â The long-beleaguered corridor is still not without its share of battles. Â Many abandoned lots and homes still dot the near side streets. Â The Rivoli is still empty and in need of major repairs. Â The list of problems is a long one. Â But there is a sense that maybe, hopefully, the worst of times for the commercial stretch of East 10th Street are in the past, as the city and neighborhood continues to invest in its future.
Thanks for the update. I’ve been on Tenth Street since 1972, it never stands still, always moving, sometimes better, sometimes worse. Thanks pointing out a few of the betters!
Sorry for deleting most of the replies refuting the poster known as Gene, but I have made the decision that his posts are not welcome on this website. He’s welcome to make his points over on his own website, which I hesitate to link.
This website is not a place for cranks. There are plenty of places on the web out there for that, but I intend to maintain a reasonable discussion of the issues.
I didn’t see Gene’s posts, so forgive me if you take these points as negative.
Much of the redevelopment you cite was accomplished in mixed fashion, with significant state (rental housing tax credits), city (HOME/CDBG), CDC, or TIF-funded incentives. Since then, Tim and Julie’s and the Tick Tock have been privately-funded.
The presence of many small buildings and parcels allows individual entrepreneurs to plant their flags and tackle a small redevelopment project.
To me, this illustrates the value of a comprehensive plan, a dedicated CDC and community center, devotion to “small and local”, and public support to fund all manner of redevelopment. This didn’t happen by itself, and I guarantee that each picture you posted represents years of hard work by some group or person.
For accuracy and completeness, I should point out that there are at least four CDCs represented in those photos: I-AD, East 10th St. Civic Association, Riley Area, and Englewood. Plus LISC, the community funding intermediary that has been active in organizing and financing.
Chris, your points are always welcome here.
My first apartment was above the Rivoli Theatre in 1971. I was 20, and worked part time on some of the live shows produced there. Therefore, it was great to see the WFYI “The Art Of The Matter” segment showing how this grand old showplace will come back over the next few years.
Just as a building, it has long been one of the largest on Tenth Street. It will be a welcome and highly visual addition to all of the positive changes happening on Tenth when it is rehabilitated. And “bravo” to all of the entrepreneurs and civic groups working to “save” this great streetscape.