[scarberiankhatru]

"I think I recall reading somwhere that one of the reasons buildings were replaced with parking lots was to reduce the property taxes on the unoccupied properties while they awaited redevelopment."

And not just any redevelopment; I wonder if some of them were waiting for - expecting - just massive superblock redevelopments, in which case the block was an all-or-nothing scenario that provided an incentive to parking lot-ize more than would otherwise be warranted...kind of like the Domino Theory in dentistry, where if one building or tooth falls victim to International Communism, er, neglect/obsolesence/whatever, its neighbours soon follow.

 

[spasongs]

i agree, and hold on too what we still have and showcase it.

Great thread though.