Gentrification

Written By: Dhane Pearley

Gentrification reflects how communities change. The question always is how good or bad it is for the community. Pictures provide different stories related to Gentrification. They include building improvements, more people, more businesses and different races living together. Gentrification can remove the past and appear to make a brighter future for a community. Gentrification can turn small affordable living neighborhoods into unaffordable expensive communities. There are many different perspectives on Gentrification, I will explain how my neighborhood in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn is changing and how the changes are affecting people:  how are these changes good and bad for Brooklyn?

Gentrification” is a social justice problem and the manifestation of inequality.” According to “There goes the Neighborhood “one argues that Gentrification is a polite way of saying the white people are moving in! Bed-Stuy is a much different place today from what it once was today.

Interview: Shawn Morrison

Topic: Historical Significance

In my interview with Shawn, she explained to me that she recently discovered that her block was changed into a historical community.  Shawn can no longer make major improvements to her home without prior approval. She only can make small changes like painting your house a different color.

After Shawn finished talking about historical communities, she started to tell me about some historical landmarks like the Weeksville Museum. When Shawn was younger the Weeksville Museum used to be houses that people lived in. Another landmark Shawn told me about was Laurel Magnolia Tree. The tree was located at 769 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn. She told that this Tree was a designated landmark in New York City. This tree was planted in 1885 by William Lenken and still is in good shape.   

interview: Justin Morrison

Topic: Economic Applications 

231 Macdonough street

ask: $2.35 - sold: $2.45

4.26% above ask 

Date :5/3/17

1 unit - 20 x 40 

321 Stuyvesant Ave 

Ask: $1.25m - sold: $ 1.37m

6.96% above ask

Date 12/1/17

1 unit - 19.5 x 45

These homes above were once affordable and actual were offered as apartments for rent. Justin explained to me that many landlords in Bed-Stuy use to rent rooms inexpensively.  The only downside was that you were required to share the bathroom and kitchen.

I think Gentrification has made my neighborhood look different from when I was younger. There are some nice restaurants, cool clothing shops and gyms.  My parents always complain about no parking and too many bikes in the street.  There are still some black families, but most have moved out.  When I was younger the neighborhood was nice too just different.  Less joggers and more music.  Gentrification in my community has changed the look of Bed-Stuy. I don’t think its good when people can no longer afford to live where they grew up at or enjoyed living at.  Gentrification has not been the best thing for Bed-Stuy.

Bibliography 

• Corcoran/ 2018 Homeowners Handbook Bedford-Stuyvesant-Crown Heights-Prospect Lefferts Garden The DIMA LYSIUS Team.