Post by scoot on Jun 28, 2005 18:04:36 GMT -5
For the past few years I’ve been an everyday reader, but decided to withhold my comments. I don’t know what prompted that change, but I’m planning on being a bit more active on the boards from now on. The new setup seems to be working well and the posts (for the most part) are much more mature, responsible and enjoyable.
My first post is in regards to the baseball house. That seems to be the hot button as of late, so I figured I’d chime in. Being a homeowner myself, now married and soon to be expecting, I can see where the residents of 26th are coming from. I’ve only been a homeowner for a few years, but I’ve worked hard to improve and maintain my property. Just last year I threw down some cash and built a nice deck out back (complete with swinging/hanging chair and hammock) and even got myself one of those nifty chimineas. All-in-all it’s a pretty relaxing environment I have created for myself and I have to admit that I’d be pretty bummed if 20 college aged kids were planning to set up shop in my neighborhood.
I can only envision relaxing around my house and being bothered by large gatherings and loud music, or being awakened in the middle of the night by a party or a noisy group of kids returning home from the bars. I can see my hard work to keep my property looking nice going to waste as trash gets thrown about. I would fear for my kid(s) as they play out front and cars go racing up and down the street.
All those things will happen. They might not happen on a constant and consistent basis, but they will happen. Within a family neighborhood, none of those things probably occur now. With this house, that will change.
And why do I think that?
I’ve read the papers; I am aware of the displeasure the Allegany residents already have with St. Bonaventure students.
I’m connected to the school and know for a fact that extra guards have had to patrol dormitory floors in response to complete and utter trashing of some residence halls.
I work (part-time) at a pizza shop in downtown Allegany; even with garbage cans readily available, trash still gets thrown all over the streets and in neighboring yards.
Lastly, I’m not too far removed from being a college student myself. I know what it was like; especially if you’re giving me this cool new pad to live in. Believe me; they (baseball players) are going to want to entertain. Even I would if I were in their situation.
However, with that being said, not all students are bad. And just because these particular students are on a sports team does not automatically mean this place is going to be the second coming of ‘Animal House.’
There are plenty of students who live off campus. Some of the places, where students reside, have parties and disrupt neighbors. Other places, though, you wouldn’t know if it were college kids or a small family living there. Even on campus, some dorms get trashed, while others remain peaceful and clean.
I think it’s unfair that this plan was met with negativity right from the very start. Maybe it (the negativity) is deserving. I can understand that and like I said myself, I don’t think I’d be too keen on allowing this in my neighborhood either – for reasons outlined above. But I do believe I would have gone about it differently.
Perhaps Mr. Grap should have met with the 26th St. residents first. Maybe, together, they could have come up with something. Maybe some provisions for the location could be set, such as: occupancy limitations, dwelling rules (no parties, etc.), property maintenance, available off street parking, to name a few.
I’ve lived in apartments in the past where my landlord(s) told me, and had it outlined in the lease, no more than X number of guests at a time, no taking up two parking spots, keep the property picked up and looking clean, take care of your trash, no this, no that. I knew everything going in, I signed – the landlord signed; we both lived happily ever after. I guess it was the landlord’s way of preventing himself from becoming a (quote – unquote) “slum lord.”
If Mr. Grap can put stipulations in his rental agreements with these players like those similar to the ones I made with my landlord, then that would eliminate problems before they became problems. And hey, if the players don't want to live by such stipulations, then have fun at the Townhouses.
Perhaps they could even give it a trial-run. See how this year goes – if there are little to no problems, then let it go one or two more years. I’m neither a lawyer nor a realtor, so I have no idea, but is it possible to make an agreement with the neighborhood?
Example - Mr Grap: "I'll put in dwelling stipulations, you can help come up with a plan, if things go smoothly this year, we'll extend another year..."
I realize Mr. Grap is planning on putting a lot of money into this project and if it doesn’t work out I’m sure he could recoup his money by selling it, renting it… something. He sounds pretty successful, so I’m sure he’s intelligent. If the project were to fizzle out, he’d think of something, I’m sure.
I just think something could be done. So far it’s been too shady, sneaky and negative – from both sides. Mr. Grap’s first plan gets denied, so he revises it and classifies it as a “single family home.” He finally gets it approved and then the mayor puts a halt to it hours later. The whole neighborhood is up in arms and has been against it from the start. A 26th St. resident approached a player to inform him that he, and his teammates, are not welcome, so he curses at her. Just crazy, crazy stuff.
And while we’re on the subject, I’d have to say that if I moved into a neighborhood and was informed by someone that I wasn’t welcome, I wouldn’t be too happy about it either. Not quite sure I’d swear at them, but still wouldn’t be happy. Imagine it, “Ah, yeah, just wanted to come over and let you know that you’re not welcome here and we’re gonna do all we can to prevent you from moving in. Have a nice day!”
And the baseball players are the immature ones?
Either way, I’ve spent more time on this post than intended, but just felt like getting into the mix. Maybe you’ll see me around more often.
My first post is in regards to the baseball house. That seems to be the hot button as of late, so I figured I’d chime in. Being a homeowner myself, now married and soon to be expecting, I can see where the residents of 26th are coming from. I’ve only been a homeowner for a few years, but I’ve worked hard to improve and maintain my property. Just last year I threw down some cash and built a nice deck out back (complete with swinging/hanging chair and hammock) and even got myself one of those nifty chimineas. All-in-all it’s a pretty relaxing environment I have created for myself and I have to admit that I’d be pretty bummed if 20 college aged kids were planning to set up shop in my neighborhood.
I can only envision relaxing around my house and being bothered by large gatherings and loud music, or being awakened in the middle of the night by a party or a noisy group of kids returning home from the bars. I can see my hard work to keep my property looking nice going to waste as trash gets thrown about. I would fear for my kid(s) as they play out front and cars go racing up and down the street.
All those things will happen. They might not happen on a constant and consistent basis, but they will happen. Within a family neighborhood, none of those things probably occur now. With this house, that will change.
And why do I think that?
I’ve read the papers; I am aware of the displeasure the Allegany residents already have with St. Bonaventure students.
I’m connected to the school and know for a fact that extra guards have had to patrol dormitory floors in response to complete and utter trashing of some residence halls.
I work (part-time) at a pizza shop in downtown Allegany; even with garbage cans readily available, trash still gets thrown all over the streets and in neighboring yards.
Lastly, I’m not too far removed from being a college student myself. I know what it was like; especially if you’re giving me this cool new pad to live in. Believe me; they (baseball players) are going to want to entertain. Even I would if I were in their situation.
However, with that being said, not all students are bad. And just because these particular students are on a sports team does not automatically mean this place is going to be the second coming of ‘Animal House.’
There are plenty of students who live off campus. Some of the places, where students reside, have parties and disrupt neighbors. Other places, though, you wouldn’t know if it were college kids or a small family living there. Even on campus, some dorms get trashed, while others remain peaceful and clean.
I think it’s unfair that this plan was met with negativity right from the very start. Maybe it (the negativity) is deserving. I can understand that and like I said myself, I don’t think I’d be too keen on allowing this in my neighborhood either – for reasons outlined above. But I do believe I would have gone about it differently.
Perhaps Mr. Grap should have met with the 26th St. residents first. Maybe, together, they could have come up with something. Maybe some provisions for the location could be set, such as: occupancy limitations, dwelling rules (no parties, etc.), property maintenance, available off street parking, to name a few.
I’ve lived in apartments in the past where my landlord(s) told me, and had it outlined in the lease, no more than X number of guests at a time, no taking up two parking spots, keep the property picked up and looking clean, take care of your trash, no this, no that. I knew everything going in, I signed – the landlord signed; we both lived happily ever after. I guess it was the landlord’s way of preventing himself from becoming a (quote – unquote) “slum lord.”
If Mr. Grap can put stipulations in his rental agreements with these players like those similar to the ones I made with my landlord, then that would eliminate problems before they became problems. And hey, if the players don't want to live by such stipulations, then have fun at the Townhouses.
Perhaps they could even give it a trial-run. See how this year goes – if there are little to no problems, then let it go one or two more years. I’m neither a lawyer nor a realtor, so I have no idea, but is it possible to make an agreement with the neighborhood?
Example - Mr Grap: "I'll put in dwelling stipulations, you can help come up with a plan, if things go smoothly this year, we'll extend another year..."
I realize Mr. Grap is planning on putting a lot of money into this project and if it doesn’t work out I’m sure he could recoup his money by selling it, renting it… something. He sounds pretty successful, so I’m sure he’s intelligent. If the project were to fizzle out, he’d think of something, I’m sure.
I just think something could be done. So far it’s been too shady, sneaky and negative – from both sides. Mr. Grap’s first plan gets denied, so he revises it and classifies it as a “single family home.” He finally gets it approved and then the mayor puts a halt to it hours later. The whole neighborhood is up in arms and has been against it from the start. A 26th St. resident approached a player to inform him that he, and his teammates, are not welcome, so he curses at her. Just crazy, crazy stuff.
And while we’re on the subject, I’d have to say that if I moved into a neighborhood and was informed by someone that I wasn’t welcome, I wouldn’t be too happy about it either. Not quite sure I’d swear at them, but still wouldn’t be happy. Imagine it, “Ah, yeah, just wanted to come over and let you know that you’re not welcome here and we’re gonna do all we can to prevent you from moving in. Have a nice day!”
And the baseball players are the immature ones?
Either way, I’ve spent more time on this post than intended, but just felt like getting into the mix. Maybe you’ll see me around more often.