Eyesore of the week

Property:  500 S. Pennsyvania Ave., Lansing

Owner:  Haida Jafar

Taxpayer: Haida Jafar

Assessed:  $23,500

Owner says: Unable to be reached for comment

Architecture critic AmandaHarrell-Seyburn says: Attached garages just make sense in Michigan. Anattached garage is relatively rare on early 20th century houses likethis one at 500 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Despite the smoke residue, thisone is particularly well designed ,with the garage attached to the rearof the house and a driveway entrance on the side street. Convenient andsafe, it makes for an attractive corner house. Garages may seem prettysimple but the fact is even something as simple as a garage can have ahuge impact.

However beautiful this house may havelooked originally, it is far from looking that way now. Evidence offire is clear throughout the entire structure, especially on theattached garage. A notice from the fire marshal bans entry withoutpermission and scorch marks are clearly visible under the house’s sidewindows. The underside of the garage roof is charred black and the backof the garage has melted siding. The backyard features a pile of sidingand burnt insulation. The smell of burnt wood fills the air. Almostevery window is boarded up making it impossible to see inside. Signs onthe front of the house say a restoration is taking place, but at thispoint the sign is only advertising. The company has a long way to go torestore this home to its original glory.- Nyssa Rabinowitz