Hotel Enslen: Old Gas Station Gets New Paint Scheme, and a New Resident

It was great to see the old gas station (Suzuki's Garage) on Needham get a new paint job. According to the Bee this revival was organized by the Modesto Art Museum, and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. This was done in preperation to the Modesto International Architecture Festival later this month.

There has been another revival of sorts on Needham Ave. The street was repaved and added new bicycle lanes with green bicycle incon's on the roadside. New businesses like Camp 4, the Greens Market, Never Boring Design, and Infinite Creations.

This revival however has a "fly in the ointment", and that being the Modesto Inn. If nothing else, the Inn creates blight. This posting is not so much about the Modesto Inn as it about blight and how it spreads.

For instance, located in the parking lot of the newly painted gas station is this gentleman pictured. Looks like he has set up his own little home. I know he lives in his truck as he used to be a regular "resident" around Enslen Park. Now the truck is not running he has chosen to take up residence at Suzuki's garage. That is what I gather. Maybe he has the ok to stay there, I do not know.

He was never a problem at the Enslen park and I am sure by all looks, he is law abiding but just going through these tough times. However, I think he is breaking some law, like squatting maybe? This only creates more blight. I think the with the Modesto Inn being right down the street, it makes it easier for him to set up camp.

Is there someone from the city to check on him to see if he needs any assistance? Maybe he only needs his truck fixed so he can be on his way (probably to the next park, but....).

My final question is Suzuki's even in business? There are two buildings on the property, one that was painted, and the other that is graffiti-ridden. On the same property we have "revival" and we have "blight".