Eyesore of the week

Property: 1431 Knollwood Ave., Lansing

Owner:  Deutsche Bank National Trust Co.

Taxpayer: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co.

Assessed:  $21,000

Owner says: As trustee, Deutsche Bank isnot responsible for maintaining foreclosed properties. Rather, loanservicing companies are responsible for property maintenance, and wehave alerted the relevant loan servicer to this issue.

Architecture critic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn says: Thewheelchair ramp at 1431 Knollwood Ave. is a reminder that ourcommunities, in particular the residential stock, need seriousmodifications to accommodate our rapidly aging population. All toooften people think that making an older home accessible means damagingits architectural character — not so. Any well-crafted buildingcombined with clever solutions such as wheelchair lifts or rampsconcealed within the porch can strike the right balance. It’s aboutaccessibility and aesthetics.

The wheelchair ramp may have helped anelderly former owner, but neglect has made the same modifications adanger to future residents. Weeds are poking through the wheelchairramp and the wood is suffering from not being properly maintained. Asteadily sagging roof only adds to the repair bills as does the need toreplace the front window, which is currently boarded shut. Even thegreatest modifications become hassles without proper care, and thishome has not been cared for recently.