EMINENT
DOMAIN
AP WIRE - The Department of Transportation declared
today that all buildings east of Hook Ave. between 15th and
22nd Streets have been condemned. The area is to be razed
to make way for the Langstrom mega-level metro loop freeway
structure. Residents must vacate their homes by June 12th.
Mr. Bobaba Jones:
This letter is to inform you that, through the govern-
ment's right of eminent domain, your property has been
appropriated for the development of the Langstrom
metro loop freeway structure. You will receive partial
compensation for the value of your property. Please
vacate the premises within 30 days.
Memo: Riley Construction Company
RE: Langstrom Metro Loop
Demolition of vacated homes will begin July 1, 1990, as per
our contract with the Department of Transportation. -I.R.
Report by Brian Brannon
Photos by Chris Ortiz
nder the shadow of the blade, where
children once played, where nosy old
ladies once peered from behind window
shades and men power-mowed their lawns before
settling in for football on TV, a score of houses sit
waiting for mass destruction by 'dozer. Forgotten
and forlorn, these abandoned homes now are
nothing more than freeway fodder for the relentless
rumble of the automobile.
Within a few months, not even rubble will remain
underneath. Masses of tardy motorists will rush in
their tired parade forever back home or off to work
again. Most will never even pause to consider that
maybe they're driving over what was once some-
body else's living room or kitchen. If ever they do,
it will only be in passing.
Sure, sure, the people who lived in this community
were plenty bummed to get the boot from their
Spread: The by-product of a
burgeoning Infrastructure.
Inset: Enterprising oppor-
tunists reap the fruits of
progress