How many demolitions does it take to wreck a neighbourhood? There have been 6 demolitions on the north side of the 3500 block of West 23rd and 2 on the south side. The 8 demolitions in recent years of the 36 houses on this block amounts to a 22% change. These are all 33 foot lots. The situation is probably not unique in Vancouver.
Four houses have already been included in this blog: 3541, 3553, 3563, and 3575.
In addition, 3571, 3548, and 3556 have been demolished, but I do not have photos of the original houses. Fortunately for the eighth one, 3535, I do have photos. It was sold in September 2013 and torn down the following year. The last Halloween display at the house!
In February 2014, there was melting snow.
Some musings...It is a bit strong to state that just because houses are demolished, a neighbourhood is destroyed. However, if the residents have formed long-term friendships by living near one another, moving away destroys or at least reduces both the quality and quantity of their interactions, perhaps just when neighbourly contact becomes more necessary as people "age-in-place". As new and younger families move in, change will happen and it should, but the rate of change of 22% is significant. In addition, new houses seem to change hands quite often because they are rarely "forever" homes for the new occupants, although houses on 33 foot lots perhaps have more stable occupancy than those more luxurious homes on larger lots. Is community one of Dunbar's values?
