In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the residents of Old Town waged complaints against the Hemingway complex of businesses in the 1800 block of Lincoln Avenue.  Documenting their complaints in photographs and letters, the residents made a concerted effort to keep the neighborhood sanitary and presentable.  The increasingly gentrified appearance of the neighborhood made eyesores like the garbage-filled alleys and litter-strewn sidewalks visible problems.

 
 


Letter to Hemingway's Moveable Feast management from Larry D. Blust, President of OTTA
February 16, 1982

"On behalf of the Old Town Triangle Association, we would like to bring to your attention the unsightly and unsanitary conditions existing due to garbage disposal from your establishment.  The community has become quite from your establishment.  The community has become quite concerned about the situation and asks your cooperation in having all garbage stored inside closed containers or dumpsters at all times.  The Hemingway House has solved much of the problem from their garbage by placing locks on their dumpsters and keeping them locked at all times.  We would suggest that you do the same.

We consider this situation, which is not only unsanitary, but unnecessary, to be a blight on our neighborhood.  We have attached copies of photographs taken on January 23, 1982.  This is not an isolated incident, but one which has occurred frequently in the past.  If necessary, a meeting can be arranged between yourself and those neighbors involved to discuss this matter.

We appreciate your cooperation and hope that no future action is necessary in this matter."
 

 
 
During the same years, similar complaints were lodged against the Blue Lagoon Restaurant in the 1800 block of North Wells Street.  A piano bar during the 1950s and 1960s, the building had under several changes in management and several remodelings during the 1970s.  The restaurant closed shortly after a visit from a building inspector.  At the time of the following documentation, the building was undergoing another extensive remodeling without a permit and rumors were circulating that the restaurant would be reopening soon.  The complaints of the neighbors reflect the difficulties of combining residential and commercial properties, a prime tactic of the urban renewal plans.  The invasion of outsiders into the neighborhood (in the form of the restaurant patrons) also resulted from the "success" of the urban renewal efforts.  By reviving the neighborhood and making it attractive, an outside population migrated into the neighborhood for entertainment without any obligations to the neighborhood itself, causing conflicts with the neighbors.

 
 
Memo to OTTA Board from Lynn Krohn, Chairman of Neighbor's Committee
October 1980

"Problems

The negative environmental effects of the restaurant became most apparent after the restaurant closed.  The neighbors were able to open their windows and enjoy their outside spaces.  The neighbors expressed dread of a new restaurant and, as they compared notes, the extent of the negative environmental effects became apparent.

Most of the neighbors were aware of the cooking odors.  The odors were, in some cases, merely an annoying nuisance.  In other cases, the odors drove the neighbors inside and necessitated closed doors and windows.  Another problem coming from the upper areas of the 1820 building was the airborne fecal matter -- this resulting from the use of the upper level as a dog run.

Many problems occurred because of poor garbage management.  Sometimes renters used the garbage facilities belonging to Lincoln Ave. neighbors.  In the rear the dumpster lid or lids were generally open and unsightly, smelly garbage often spilled over into the alley.  This not only caused a rodent problem in the alley, it also blocked vehicles from passing in poor weather.  During cold weather, the garbage was frozen into the snow and could not be picked up.  In better weather, the garbage along with grease spills, which occurred regularly, attracted flies.  There were no flies this summer.  There were no garbage or cooking smells this summer.  As one neighbor put it, 'without the flies and odors, we could use our outside patio again' . . . .
 

Blue Lagoon Restaurant, Lincoln Avenue at Wells Street, 1982
The garbage trucks along with the various daily delivery trucks compounded problems.  It was difficult for residents to get to and from their off-the-street parking places.  The noise level caused by the trucks in the alley was more typical of a commercial area than of a residential area.  The noise level was also a result of the various motors and air conditioners on the 1820 building roof.  Without the trucks and the building motors, the alley seems quiet in spit of the fact that there are two weekly garbage pickups and a variety of other delivery service trucks . . . .

The negative environmental effects occur not just in the air and in the alley but are also apparent in the front on Lincoln Avenue.  Lincoln Avenue neighbors experience noise and traffic problems associated with the use of 1820 as a restaurant.  Traffic can flow smoothly if the No Parking signs in front of the stop sign are observed.  When restaurant patrons park their cars in those areas, the flow of traffic is poor and this attended by the revving of engine honking, exhaust odors, etc.

Neighbors along Lincoln Avenue also experience discourteous behavior of bar patrons.  This includes rowdiness and gifts of garbage -- anything from empty glasses to extra neckties.  These experiences have noticeably decreased after the 1820 restaurant closed . . . ."