If you read this blog with any sort of regularity, you know that we cover tons of development on the northern end of the Point Breeze neighborhood. Despite the dozens of new homes that have been built in the area in recent years, there is still quite of a bit of blight and vacant land to be found. And not just one-off lots, either. There are still a handful of larger lots in this neighborhood, which are especially desirable to developers. Take the corner of 17th & Latona.

In 2009

Six lots on 17th Street between Latona and Titan have been vacant for so long that a jungle sprouted up. Ownership is divided between a couple of developers, a City agency, a non-profit, and a church. Last year, the PRA attempted to condemn the four northernmost lots, strangely opting to not condemn the two vacant lots owned by the non-profit and the church. Makes sense, right?

Fortunately, developer Turloque Hart was able to get two of the lots removed from the condemnation list and has procured building permits for 1231-35 S. 17th St.

Same view as above

From the south

Hart is building three single family homes, which will be offered for sale. From what we can tell, one of the lots he’s building on is still on the PRA’s condemnation list, but we would have to assume that they’ll be dropping the condemnation in light of his procuring of building permits and beginning construction.

Unfortunately, it seems likely that the three new homes will have a single vacant lot to the north and two vacant lots to the south in perpetuity. Community gardens, anyone?