So Long, Maplewood, It’s been good to know ya
We learn today that Bradley has paid $500,000.00 ea for two houses on Maplewood, with the possibility of 4 more sales that haven’t closed yet. It’s apparent that they aren’t waiting around anymore and have decided to buy up the rest of Maplewood at any price to capitalize on the larger fundraising opportunities after the Men’s Basketball success.
So what do these decrepid old houses that are going to be torn down look like? Let’s start with the two that were just sold:
837 Maplewood; admittedly not a spectacular looking house; an obvious victim of rental and remuddlement:
921 Maplewood; all brick, with a beautiful enclosed front porch with original windows. Undoubtedly hard-wood flooring and heavy oak trim on the inside, as do most of the houses in the neighborhood. 
Here’s some of the other seemingly disposable houses along Maplewood:
Remember, once they’re gone, they’re never coming back.
July 9th, 2006 at 11:01 am
*cries*
July 9th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
Once they get done tearing down the houses, they’re going to tear down Robertson Fieldhouse and build a replacement facility, complete with parking deck. So there will be a lot of changes on that stretch in the next few years…. Thank goodness we have those institutional boundaries to protect the integrity of the neighborhoods….
Speaking of which — did you see that it this Tuesday’s council meeting, the zoning commission is recommending the city require a supermajority to change institutional boundaries that are less than 10 years old? I’m not sure if that applies to Bradley or not.
July 9th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
With little effort, the first one could have been brought back to it’s former glory. It’s a gawd-awful shame.
July 9th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
verrrry depressing, unless of course you’re pocketing 500 grand. I hate to say it, but I’d do it too.
500 GRAND !!!!
July 9th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
verrrry depressing, unless of course you’re pocketing 500 grand. I hate to say it, but I’d do it too.
500 GRAND !!!!
And why do I have a feeling the Joseph mentioned is related to Dave Joseph?
July 9th, 2006 at 11:25 pm
To be honest, I’ve wanted to take these pictures before, but when I woke up this morning and saw Bradley paying a half mil per, I downed a Mtn Dew, grabbed my camera and walked over to see what was up.
I was surprised at how nice the houses were; even the rentals. I drive by often, but the large trees block a good view of the houses (bye bye grand old trees!)
There are some clunkers, to be sure, but click on and enlarge the picture of the yellow house- my favorite. Not quite as grand as the big brick houses, but it is kept up very well, and especially notice the nice landscaping. That’s what kills me.
I had a similar experience driving by the houses that are going to be torn down at Glen Oak Park. I’ve seen them and driven by, as many have, but never paid much close atttention before the semi-recent controvery… and there was an older gentleman with an average house with a nice flower garden tending to his lawn, allthewhile knowing that his house will be torn down… that really bothered me.
If someone comes by and offers me 500,000 for my house that is worth just over 100,000… well… I wish I was in the financial position to turn them down… but I doubt I could… and more historic Peoria is gone.
I hope they enjoy their newfound wealth, and God-bless those on Cooper… They’re next in line.
July 14th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
Funny, how no one ever mentions the large portion of historic Peoria that has been destroyed by welfare leeches and gangbangers in the South End, but the instant a reputable university wants to expand at the expense of a few homes, everyone’s in an uproar. I seriously doubt that Bradley is going to swallow all of old Peoria. When universities expand, they bring in more students. More students means more students’ parents’ money being spent in Peoria. Good for the goose, good for the gander and all that. There are many midsize cities that thrive because of the colleges and universities in them. Gainesville, FL is a perfect example. An entire city has been built around the University of Florida. While Bradley will never be as large as the University of Florida (hopefully), a little extra tax revenue would certainly do some good for the city. I guess it comes down to balancing progress with preservation. When progress offers you half a million dollars for your $100K house, it makes the decision a little easier.
March 2nd, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I’m with Cory! What an excellent point you make, Cory. Plenty of historic homes have been lost on the South side, where’s the outcry about them?
What do you expect, y’all? Bradley is a good university that offers a really good education. Do you want it to expand up? It hasn’t expanded in like 15 years. As far as folks on Cooper go, I don’t think they’ll be having to worry for years to come, if at all. Bradley doesn’t have pockets so deep that they can flippantly choose to expand whenever the heck they want!
Good gravy. Relax. Expansion is a good thing overall, for the whole city. Nothing lasts forever.
March 2nd, 2007 at 1:08 pm
It seems to me it would have been lots cheaper to give the people money for new lots somewhere and pay Kenny Balagna to move the homes.
March 2nd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Man I have a lot I’d love to put that 2nd house on.
March 2nd, 2007 at 2:03 pm
It’s a beauty, isn’t it?