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900 S to 2100 S
& 300 E to West Temple

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I chose to immerse myself in a small but integral part of Salt Lake City that I am not well acquainted with. I grew up in West Jordan in a planned community where every home had a beautiful green lawn, a large house sitting comfortably on a large lot, completely fenced in and miles from the nearest gas station, Wal-Mart or fast food restaurant. Walking the length of this central street, its back alleys and local dives has literally transported me to another world, another way of life.

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The heartstring of Salt Lake's grid.

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Broken glass and articles of clothing were a common sight

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Many small businesses have closed leaving more than a handful of boarded up buildings and overgrown properties - some homeless men scattered from the building just before I moved on

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State street is infamous for its numerous car lots and motels - breeding grounds for some of the city's toughest crime

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A woman - asleep in a door well

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Buildings designed for function not form

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1920's homes in poor and worsening condition

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Because the assignment asked me to focus on the deficiencies of a community, to examine what this community lacks to make it a healthy and happy environment for all, I shall start there.
It is immediately apparent that this neighbourhood lacks public appeal. From dilapidated houses to boarded up businesses and empty car-sales lots, it's not hard to miss clean green spaces and east-side funding. Every bit of green is either dead or overgrown, there is no happy in-between. It's every man (or woman) for themself here. While there are homes - scattered here and there - there are dozens of small and local businesses. There's a distinct lack of corporate influence in the simple and outdated signage that litters every window and shop. In my exploration of abandoned lots and buildings the homeless come out from the woodwork. There are sirens going off, but the presence of police does not make this street feel safer. Some parts of this street are decidedly more wealthy than others. OC Tanner and it's million dollar appeal sits across the street from the recently updated Salt Lake Community College South and a large Government building where I voted a just a few months ago. There are dozens of businesses here and these giant expensive buildings so why is someone sleeping in a doorway half a block away? There are not enough public enhancement buildings, and there are too many businesses that encourage the current status quo.
Where are the parks and patches of green? Where are the children on a Saturday afternoon? Everyone is wearing a backpack but I have a feeling they aren't students. I walked from 2100 S to 900 S and I could not find a single clinic. There was a mission home with a clean lawn and a place for small children to play safely, but it is small and could not house more than 30 people.
This neighbourhood is clearly underfunded, outdated, coded improperly and ill-managed. It's residents are being left behind by wealthier, more developed parts of town. It is in dire need of investment and some good old TLC.
There are not enough public enhancement buildings, and there are too many businesses that encourage the current status quo.
I wouldn't say this community is healthy. It isn't thriving even if it is surviving. It doesn't feel welcome or inviting, it feels like the sort of place families avoid.
Poverty and crime are difficult struggles to overcome. I can't pretend I'd know where to begin.

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Uploaded by Maridon Romney on 2017-09-10.