Home, Sweet Parking Lot

In most rust belt cities, declining urban population and disinvestment has led to an abundance of derelict and abandoned buildings. In an effort to remain relevant, many of these cities have moved toward the suburbanization of the city core, that is, increasing the amount of parking available in hopes of attracting traffic to the city center in support of the remaining businesses.

Thus far in this blog, I have focused on small cities, but I think it's also important to explore larger cities, and the trends taking place. I realize that there are complex economic forces at play here, and I will not attempt, at this time, to offer a lesson in urban design. But some cities are taking steps to find alternatives to surface parking. This includes stacked parking, public transit, and underground parking. Here are some examples of Google Earth images of the most parking-concentrated urban cores:

Little Rock, Arkansas

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Columbus, Ohio - 1994

Columbus, Ohio - Present

Kansas City, Missouri - 1991

Kansas City, Missouri - Present

 Detroit, Michigan

Oil City

Despite losing over half its population between 1940 and today, Oil City has managed to maintain a viable main street. Special emphasis has been placed on preservation of victorian structures and retaining its history.

I chose to profile this city to show that economic decline (especially within Rust Belt cities) does not have to signal the death of a city. Oil City has focused on promoting itself as a tourist destination, focusing on its heritage sights, historic city center and natural surroundings.

With a present population of 10,500, Oil City seems like a much larger place. The density of downtown buildings, destination points within the city center, and a quality walking environment make Oil City a vibrant and exciting place. It should serve as an example to other Rust Belt cities as they chart the course of their future.

Clay City

Clay City, Indiana.

It could be one of any small midwestern towns. Population 861, but it's the self-proclaimed Mayberry of the Midwest.

A Google Earth tour of downtown Clay City reveals that this downtown is not abandoned. There are businesses present, but the appearance seems run down, a shell of its former glory. But the derelict nature of this main street presents a great opportunity for revitalization. Most buildings appear intact, waiting for the type of investment that would make this a charming downtown area.

This seems possible as Clay City was recently included in the Indiana Main Street Program.

A pocket park in this vacant lot would be an affordable way to add amenity to the neighborhood.

Solid architecture in Clay City can benefit from facade improvements.

Intact, and interesting row of storefronts. Widened sidewalks and street trees would improve the look and feel of the downtown area.

Brownsville

Brownsville, PA

Another classic small Rust-Belt city, Brownsville has been in decline since the 1970's. Market Street, the historic commercial Main-street appears largely boarded up. As is common with many Eastern US cities, the main commercial area was built among curvilinear streets. In Brownsville, these buildings and streets follow the contours of Monongahela River.

East St Louis

Perhaps no other city exemplifies the modern ghost town more than East St Louis, Illinois.

Just across the river from St Louis, the shattered remains of this city are a testament to the effect white flight, racial tension, disinvestment and rampant crime have had on rust-belt cities of the American Midwest.

From a peak population of 82,000, the remaining 27,000 residents are faced with a city unable to sustain itself. Lacking a tax base, ESL is unable to support an effective police force, leading to some of the highest (if not the highest) per-capita murder rate in the country, almost 20x the national average.

The historic commercial strip is scary derelict, mostly boarded up and abandoned.

Google Earth images:

The urban prairie effect is evident here, with large, empty blocks flanked by the vast St Louis freeway network. The commercial strip appears blackened and abandoned, even from the air.

Ornate architectural details can be seen here

Boarded up storefronts create a sense of lack of safety at street level.

The Spivey Building, the tallest in ESL. Abandoned.

The urban prairie.

Cairo

Cairo, Illinois.

Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, this city has seen a population decline from it's peak population of over 15,000 to its present population of 2800. The result of such population loss and the diminishing importance as a river city has led to abandonment of it's downtown area. 

A tour through Google Streetview shows clearly the abandonment of the city's buildings. Cobbled streets and ornate architecture provide a glimpse into what must have been a thriving town. Interestingly, some buildings seemed to have collapsed, the rubble left in place. Perhaps the city doesn't have the resources to clear the fallen bricks and mortar. 

Here are some images from Google. I'm looking forward to exploring this forgotten downtown up close, hopefully gathering some information and photographs of the city as it once was.

The Gates of the City. Fortunately, several blocks of Downtown Cairo are listed on the NRHP.

The GEM theatre. Status unknown. Old theatres are, however, fascinating.

Modern ghost town

Rubble spills out into the streets.

Interesting architecture.