
Pano Georgiadis wants to tear down 1089 Elmwood Ave. to expand his restaurant and parking lot. One of his main arguments for demolition of this lovely Queen Anne, built in 1893, is the poor condition of the interior. However, Georgiadis has owned this house for seven years, collecting rents while allowing it to deteriorate. Should we reward his neglect or hold him accountable?
The Elmwood Village is a thriving residential and commercial district, one of the few areas in the city where property values are rising and population is increasing. This is due in part to the uniqueness and beauty of the architecture, the streetscape.
Since Pano's restaurant directly benefits from the popularity of this community, and draws a large portion of its customers from the surrounding neighborhoods, Georgiadis would do well to support preservation efforts, rather than alienate his neighbors.