Eyesore of the week

Property: 627 W. Genesee Street, Lansing Owner: SIOF1 LLC, San Jose, Calif. (Did not respond for comment) Assessed: $39,100

Rather than simply listing this building’s shortcomings, it may be more constructive to search beyond the blight to see what the home was, and could be again. Numerous changes took place over many years as the house deteriorated. No longer solely occupied by its owner, it now contains several individual rental units, confirmed by the multiple mailboxes and corresponding entrances.

The house is characterized by a great roof, which swoops down from the upper level eave and covers the porch with a gentle curve. Below this, the front porch was filled in and covered with asphalt siding, most likely to provide extra rentable area. However, this home was built when the Queen Anne style was popular, so one can easily imagine an attractive porch that wrapped the street facing elevations of the house. Oriented both north and west, such a porch sheltered individuals waiting at the front door and also shaded the main house from the intense summer sun.

It is difficult to know what circumstances led to the present conditions, and removing the past indiscretions may be easier said than executed. However, the code compliance has tagged the building, so its blighted state is being addressed.

— Daniel E. Bollman, AIA

“Eyesore of the Week” is our look at some of the seedier properties in Lansing. It rotates each week with Eye Candy of the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lansingcitypulse.com or call Andy Balaskovitz at 999-5064.