Invincible Cities

I found out about Camilo José Vergara’s photography here, at the New York Times' "City Room" blog. And now, verily, I am a fan. Vergara is chronicling "urban change" in three communities: Richmond, California; Camden, New Jersey; and Harlem. Where I live. Yesterday's post featured the exterior of my building in 1987. Not much has changes since then (landmarked status, baby!) but there are now trees in the avenue's median. And the cars parked outside are newer. Slightly. Those metal fences you see in this shot are new, though. They are much better than rotting chain link. There are now very bright security lights and security cameras now, as well as 24 hour 2-guard patrol. Which is nice. All of that is nice. I'm not complaining.

But something else comes with those kinds of changes. Something... maybe not so nice.

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about Vergara's project is that he has taken photographs of the same buildings or storefronts over a period of years to chronicle how neighborhoods change over time. For instance, the website features over 20 pictures of 65 E. 125th Street, taken between 1977 and 2007, which illustrate its metamorphosis over the past 30 years from an empty but charming storefront into a bright & shiny Sleepy's Matress Store. It's been a chip shop, a bodega, and much else along the way.

Yes, it's gentrification. Or civic beautification. Or something. It's definitely... complicated. It's nice to have services around home, yes. But... but...

Look. A few blocks from where I live, the corner of 145th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. has undergone an unbelievable change. It's almost incredible. Gentrification, you have been photographed. Here's the corner in 1998.
Here is the same corner--no shit--today.
We've got a Starbucks now, people. I'm sure another one will open right across from it soon.