Eyesore of the week

Property: 413 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing Owner: Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track Authority Assessed: $27,000 Owner says: Its coming down

The Ingham County Land Bank purchased this home in May for $9,000 after the original owners contacted the Land Bank with concerns about maintaining the home. About six weeks ago, a fire ravaged the northeast side of the house, which police are still investigating, Land Bank Chairman Eric Schertzing said.

In the meantime, the house sits next to another red-tagged home, adjacent to two gas stations.

Melted siding, broken glass and garbage litter the narrow space between the alley and the north side of the house. The spacious front porch is a receptacle for more broken glass, garbage, curtains, wood and a window screen.

Tired of looking at this eyesore on your daily commute? No worries, Schertzing said: It’s coming down soon.

— Andy Balaskovitz

Architecture criticAmanda Harrell-Seyburn says: Look closely. Obscured by the heavilyboarded-up face of 413 S. Pennsylvania Ave., the pointed arch of aGothic-style window peaks out from beneath a plywood board located justbelow the gable. Typically found on Neo-Gothic style buildings of thesame period, the pointed arch window is most certainly a later additionto the house. It replaced a double-hung window or vent typically foundon this traditional, early-20th century wood frame house.

The pointed arch and apex is not commonly associated with residential architecture. Gothic architecture is predominately used for civic buildings, most notably cathedrals of the Gothic period (12th-16th century) including Sainte Chapelle, Chartres Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral and Wells Cathedral, to name a few.

“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 371-5600 ex. 17.