The relentless renovation and multi-unit expansion claims another residence, and surely more must follow. The Featured Image is the boarded up house on which porch I photographed 20-year-old kitty Rosie. She joined my “Cats of University Heights” series in early April 2022.
A few days before the profile posted, my wife and I met the calico’s owner, as she returned from walking a dog, which was one way she earned money. Business had picked up some from the worst of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 lockdown period, when people stuck at home could care for their own mutts. Still, she fretted about being evicted when the moratorium on such action expired in a few months. Reason: renovation—or better stated, renovicition.
As you can see, her concern was warranted. I don’t walk this block of Georgia Street very often. But I ventured down a few weeks ago to see what appeared to be an empty residence. The boarded windows are more recent, and their presence—based on common construction practice around here—indicates demolition in the future; they are also meant to deter squatters.
Again, based on past activity, the adjacent cottages are likely next to be forcibly abandoned by more renovictions and the combined space, ah, redeveloped. Ginger cat Harvey lives, or lived, there with his owner.
I can’t say whether or not any of this is related to the massive building being built behind. That structure sits on land once owned by New Vision Christian Fellowship (see the first and second in an incomplete series for more information). The seven-story apartment complex contravenes an entire block. Each new modern behemoth buries the charm and character of San Diego neighborhoods.
I used Leica Q2 for this street shot. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/8, ISO 100, 1/80 sec, 28mm; 12:21 p.m. PST, today.