Photo of the Week: ReallyBoring’s from Chicago

Fickr pool contributor “ReallyBoring” from Chicago recently took this photo of Jackson Boulevard, part of a historic district of the city that is over a century old. ReallyBoring writes that, “the parkway on this historic stretch of Jackson Boulevard was restored at the insistence of residents in the 1970s, while many of them were just beginning to fix up the fine houses lining the street.”

While Jackson Boulevard has been beautified and is a common stop on visitor tours, other once-beautiful Chicago buildings have fallen into ruin. The 6th Presbyterian Church has recently suffered a substantial roof collapse, and now has been designated for demolition. The building is 140 years old, and has changed owners several times over the years. After falling into disrepair, the Chicago Housing Authority bought the church with the hope of restoring it, but the building continued to deteriorate and is now deemed unsalvageable.ReallyBoring, along with other local bloggers, has visited and exhibited the building online, but it is likely too late for the 6th Presbyterian Church. Throughout the Midwest though, historic buildings such as this church are crumbling and seen as valuable assets too late. Sustaining these lots and utilizing their beauty and outlay effectively is crucial to a city and necessary during this urban revitalization of the Midwest.

Thanks, ReallyBoring, for demonstrating how important building rehabilitation and preservation is to GLUE cities!