Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association

There was more than one lesson to the CVS debacle. It revealed a long ignored geographic division within the neighborhood. Without exception, all of my friends who live north of 14th
Avenue were in favor of the initial proposal. Also without exception, all of my friends who live south of 14th Avenue were opposed to the initial proposal. It was no accident that the postcard campaign in favor of the project concentrated on residents in the north end of the neighborhood.
When this campaign came to light at the City Council Meeting, many of those who had chosen to participate in the democratic process understandably felt betrayed.

I have wondered for some time whether or not we are such a heterogeneous group
geographically that we are predisposed to bitter arguments when certain issues arise. The majority of the issues that preoccupy the association regarding traffic, rezoning, codes, etc.
emanate from the south end of North Shore. The residents there are naturally more active in the association since their section is the most vulnerable. The rehabilitation of the north end is finished. It is in the south that the work remains unfinished. Are we a community?, can we become one? These are the questions I keep asking myself.

My personal experience is of a very different type of association. The closest to it here is Roser Park. The Old Louisville historic preservation district was about the same size as North Shore. It encompassed six different neighborhood associations. Not all of the area even belonged to a
neighborhood association. The result were very active associations that were/are very cohesive with a strong sense of community. There were no delusions of grandeur, such as we are a
quasi-legislative body. ( If you think we are, contact the Neighborhood Services Administration for a dose of reality.) No politics, just neighbors working together to make their area a better place to live. We were able to extend these relationships by conducting preservation district wide
events, such as a Holiday Tour of Homes, which raised money for the district, not the individual
associations. Focus on the common interest was the key to our success.

For the past year I have been fighting the pressure from my partner to look for a house in Roser Park. I am reluctant to play the urban pioneer role again. But I confess that I am reevaluating my stance. We looked seriously at one house this spring, if it had been just a little larger we would have bought it. We looked at another today, but it needs more work than I want to take on at this
stage. Our friends think we have lost our minds. As beautiful and financially secure as the homes here are, there is an intangible missing from our neighborhood. Historic Kenwood has it, Roser Park has it, I call it community. Sadly, I believe that North Shore is simply too large to be able to
develop the sense of community and fraternity which smaller neighborhoods enjoy. The diversity is too great. I may be wrong. I hope I am. Events such as the Candlelight Tour, pool party, bike parade, etc. are efforts in the right direction. But the we are too large for porch parties and block parties would only serve to Balkanize us further. Bigger is not always better.

NSNA is Not a Snapshot

Let me see if I can help. I believe your entire viewpoint is like that of a snap shot of a flowing river. All things still are photographed. All things moving are a blurr. You did not see the forest for the trees. Your perspective is tainted due to your very short time here. You do not have the historical perspective. Only the one CVS current event issue.

Since you have only been amongst us for a very short while you know not of want has gone on before. You simply, sadly, have no idea. Oh, you thought you did! You thought that you could perceive and smart your way through. See a dozen years in a few months. Well it does not work that way. And you discounted those of us who paved the way for you and your recently immigrated friends. Those of us who put into play some of those things that attracted you here in the first place. Well, guess what?

North Shore never was and never will be a small social community as you stated. You were correct. We are too big. 160 blocks big. 10,000 people big. But I and others always knew that.

North Shore is not social. It is geographical, economical and historical. And that is what ties us.

North Shore comes together, mostly, when common issues befall it. In the past, those of who have been active always knew how to strike out for the middle ground. That is why we were always, I repeat, always able to garner the majority opinion successfully.

Additionally, North Shore has always had its fair share of pool parties, bike parades, Children's Parade, marching ensemble in the Festival of States Parade (which we marched in three years straight), holiday parties, 4th of July picnics in the park, etc. etc. Your group did not invent them upon your arrival. They have always been a part of North Shore. Not a big part, but a part none the less.

What people in North Shore are interested in is slow change. Things being done by the book. No one being able to cut corners or cheat the system. Stability in housing and in the values of this housing. Most people come for the historic character of the neighborhood and its architecture and heavy landscaping. Many come for the potential to sell their house for more than they bought it for.

So, in closing if you want to move. Great. I won't stop you. I know a realtor friend who may be able to help. Let me know. I'll get you his name and number.

By Steven D. Lange

history

Ah, but there was a time when North Shore, then always referred to as the Old Northeast, was quite social. I speak of the days when the youngest neighborhood children attended Shorecrest School, then located where the condominium development of the same name now stands. When the children then progressed to Old Northeast's own North Ward Elementary School. When neighbors knew their neighbors, seasonal or year around.
In that day and age, some thirty or forty years ago, Old Northeast was the grandest of neighborhoods.
What has been most encouraging to the oldest of old timers such as myself is the younger people moving into the neighborhood with their energy and enthusiasm- restoring homes to their former grandeur or simple elegance. And with this renovation of building has invariably come a natural renaissance of ideas and change. Positive change is healthy for a community and must take place continually, in step with the greater changes in society as a whole.
As society seeks a return to the comfort of an old fashioned looking neighborhood, the old fashioned or traditional sense of community neighborliness will certainly return as well. By my observations, this process is well under way.



By Louis D.

Thanks Louis!!

Thanks for reminding Steve that there was a time before him as well. Change is necessary to move forward and I think by participation in these activities we will become a social neighborhood despite all the unrest that we are going through right now.