Outside the Footprint

Exactly two years ago, I made my first post here at Inside the Footprint after my initial steps into the Footprint itself.  Nearly one thousand two hundred and twenty five posts emerged since that date.

And now, while there are still things left to cover - like the impending relocation of McDonogh No. 11 School - it's time to step out of the Footprint for good and end what has very clearly become...a counting of the costs.

I can only hope that the words and images recorded here, inadequate as they are, serve as some cautionary tale.

Inside the Footprint nominated for Ashley Morris Award

I'm stunned to be considered for the award, given out annually at the Rising Tide Convention, which kicks off this evening.

Here are the two comments that constitute the nominations:

Editor B said...
I can nominate more than once? In that case: Brad V of Inside the Footprint. http://insidethefootprint.blogspot.com/ Relentless coverage of the razing of a neighborhood, asking the questions that need to be asked.
Thursday, August 4, 2011 3:16:00 PM CDT


Robert Morris said...
For "fierce passionate defense of New Orleans," I'd say the Inside the Footprint blog deserves strong consideration. Purely original reporting, delivered in both quantity and quality. I rarely make it inside the footprint myself, but Brad V.'s work takes me there on a daily basis.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 1:53:00 PM CDT

Many thanks.  I remember attending the conference in 2008, and I didn't quite understand some of the sentiments at the time.  After nearly two years of blogging here, though, it all makes total sense.  I've seen plenty.

I will say that each visit to the Footprint does give one an overwhelming desire to say....

News Advisory - Kennedy Event

Inside the Footprint is proud to be a co-sponsor of the following event on July 26:

Unexpected Kudos

Someone sent along this post: "An excellent blog following the controversy is Inside the Footprint, which is well worth visiting, if only to see how sophisticated some of these single issue blogs have become."

Machines and Dirt

[click to enlarge]

Riding with Roberta

I ran into the author Roberta Gratz yesterday, and we ended up on a tour of the ever-bleaker Footprint, to the extent that's now possible.  She had a journalist's mind - and some pithy insights.

Off in the distance, you'll see the former Ruth Sanderson home on what was Palmyra having its roof taken off and the front portion separated for moving.  A small batch of moves is anticipated for the near future after a long dry spell.  The gray "dogs" house at 214 S. Tonti was being salvaged, which means it will likely not be moved - which is unfortunate, given that it has one of the more distinctive and intact facades in the VA Footprint.

Here's a shot of the house as brick was being taken out, shortly before salvage got underway recently:

Perspective on the blog

"Without the blog, someone like me, who just heard about this work would not be able to learn about the year long process that moved this from just a documentation endeavor to one where houses are actually being preserved. 


In addition the site provides a way for outsiders to view the houses and neighborhood and visually see the quality and craftsmanship of these wonderful old buildings. The blog documents engagement tactics and one way to save community assets. 


Someone could have done all this work and kept it in their personal journal or computer, but by sharing it, it helps others through similar process and maybe gives hope that with action better outcomes are possible."

Thanks to Katherine for mentioning the blog as an example of the intersection of community design and Web 2.0.

One Year Inside the Footprint

Today marks one year since I began blogging here at Inside the Footprint.

I never saw myself continuing the venture for such a long time.

I will say that while I still feel compelled to report on the happenings in the Footprint, it's difficult to continue the project these days.  Each subsequent visit leaves an increasingly bitter aftertaste.

If nothing else, though, there will be some record at close-range of the project's impact on an historic neighborhood.  And perhaps some future decision-makers will happen upon it and be dissuaded from making a similarly egregious mistake.