by Deborah Achtenberg
(Deborah Achtenberg has lived in Reno since 1982 and blogs at Seeing Reno. Last Saturday, she visited the area between Lake and Center streets and Sixth and Seventh streets--soon to be the site of The Standard at Reno, a privately owned housing unit for students.)
What do we lose when we bulldoze a neighborhood?
A usable past. The elegance of a bygone era, for example. From it, we dream of elegance for a new one.
And, a place to live. People live in the neighborhood! One man, who wouldn't let me photograph him, said he'll be homeless.
The Standard at Reno, a privately owned development, will be there soon instead, providing high-rise, high-end housing for students. The national corporation that is building it likely will sell it quickly at a profit.
Change involves loss, of course--but for whom? And how is loss allocated? Who has a right to a home? And who has a right to the city?