Moving to a nice, quiet North End neighborhood in Grand Forks eight years ago has become a nightmare.
My block-which is within walking distance to UND-is being ruined, and it seems like the city couldn't care less.
Once, young families and children walked and played; now, they are leaving at a fast pace. Once a house goes for sale around here, it's not for sale for long. The buyers are landlords who turn a nice, affordable middle-class house into a rental home. Yes I expected some of that, but not at the pace with which it has happened nor at the price it has imposed upon this area.
Now, the neighborhood has turned into a party central. The houses get run down, as they're filled to the max with college students whose last priority is to take care of the property, and who instead party.
Sidewalks are blocked with cars, beer cans are on the street-and again, it seems like the city couldn't care less.
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The drinking is out of control, and parties are common every night. But despite all of this, the city seems focused on South End growth.
Not all of the renters are bad. But shouldn't the city exert some sort of control over how much affordable housing goes to rentals, especially given the fact that there's so little oversight of the landlords?
Not everyone can afford to move south. So, is our only choice to watch our area decline?
Step up, City Council and UND, and help the people who need it. Remember, a good population still lives on the North End.
Shaun Puppe
Grand Forks
