As I wend my way through the neighborhoods on my daily journey down to Council Point Park, I pass an empty house on Pagel Street. The house itself is in fairly good shape, but if ever a home looks unloved, it is this one. It is not just the curtainless windows, but everything else looks barren as well. No plants or flowers are gracing the front or side of the house and there is a perpetually empty driveway and front porch. There are no barefoot, laughing children running across the lawn through a sprinkler, tossing their scooters to the side or propping their two-wheelers against the wall. But, what really defines this property as an abandoned home, are the overgrown bushes, grass and weeds, which are really a sight to see. In fact, this picture does not come close to demonstrating just how miserable looking and unforsaken this place on Pagel actually is. Wherever you look, the grass and weeds are knee high. From the City sidewalk, I could see the back yard which also looks like a sickle or a John Deere tractor is needed to restore order to these lawns. I have to wonder if the neighbors are placing calls to Lincoln Park’s Project Pride and they are going unanswered, because some of the parks are similarly overgrown. The grassy area in the medium on northbound and southbound Fort Street look about the same, but that area is maintained by the County. Right now, unfortunately, it creates still more shabbiness to the appearance of our fair City. As to Fort Street, I’m guessing the grass will be cut in advance of our annual Cruisin’ Downriver event on June 28th … but, for now, the forlorn look around town is just another example of our City’s financial straits as we await word when, or if, an emergency manager will be put in place. Sadly, I doubt right now that potential buyers in nearby cities are thinking that the grass is greener in Lincoln Park and considering a move here anytime soon.