Electric Avenue, Brixton - news and discussion

[editor]

I can't see that not making improvements to an area is a solution though.

Good job that no one here has proposed that, then.

 

[Winot]

Good job that no one here has proposed that, then.

That outcome is possible - and undesirable. But the street could do with a tidy-up - trees growing out of houses!

I think I'd prefer that to a nu-Brixton Village appearing.

 

[editor]

-

FFS. That doesn't amount to serious argument that nothing should be done. The whole I reason I bothered to write the piece about the tree was to highlight what I thought was the disgraceful neglect that's been going on for years. But feel free to keep on scoring petty points if that's your bag here.

 

[Winot]

FFS. That doesn't amount to serious argument that nothing should be done.

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Rushy]

These grant schemes for small individual renovations are rarely as good as they sound. Historically they have come with all sorts of administrative conditions which absorb a lot of the grant - sometimes all of it. I hope that is not what happens here.

 

[Pickman's model]

Sadly, the iconic canopies aren't coming back, but here's what the money is for:
I asked the Project manager of the project:
The response:
More info: http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2014/09/...funding-but-the-canopies-wont-be-coming-back/

tell you what, £2.6m won't go far if they're handing out grants.

 

[leanderman]

I'd suggest a set of uniform shop signs.

 

[Rushy]

I'd suggest a set of uniform shop signs.

Like this?

 

[editor]

tell you what, £2.6m won't go far if they're handing out grants.

I'm not even sure why they made such a big point about 'restoring architectural details' in the press release, because the one architectural detail that defined the street was the canopies, and they sure as hell aren't coming back.

 

[Pickman's model]

I'm not even sure why they made such a big point about 'restoring architectural details' in the press release, because the one architectural detail that defined the street was the canopies, and they sure as hell aren't coming back.

perhaps they're anticipating a return to the area's demographics of the victorian photo's time.

 

[leanderman]

On this kind of theme: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-new-look-thats-Notting-Hill-EastEnders.html

 

[Rushy]

Even without the canopies the street has a lot of architectural merit and would definitely benefit from restoring architectural details - many of which have been obliterated over the years.



Even just essential repairs and maintenance to the stonework would be a good thing.

 

[Crispy]

On this kind of theme: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-new-look-thats-Notting-Hill-EastEnders.html

A superb scheme IMO. The UK has some of the ugliest high-street architecture in Europe, and it's not hard or expensive to fix, as this example shows. However, it doesn't seem like the Electric Avenue scheme is being run in the same focused manner, which will probably lead to waste, shoddy work and an inconsistent look.

 

[Rushy]

A superb scheme IMO. The UK has some of the ugliest high-street architecture in Europe, and it's not hard or expensive to fix, as this example shows. However, it doesn't seem like the Electric Avenue scheme is being run in the same focused manner, which will probably lead to waste, shoddy work and an inconsistent look.

I'm not sure - it sounds like there could be a plan for the council to be involved in coordinating things in a similar way:

Our focus will be on trying to restore some harmony and the original architectural quality to the facades of the Victorian buildings on Electric Avenue.

We will obviously address necessary structural issues but will look to reinstate correct timber sash windows, repair stonework, bring vacant floorspace back into use and improve shopfronts and signage as these are the elements that have most eroded the historic character of the street. Rather than the iron canopies, we would look to create a more appropriate template for traditional awnings along the street.

 

[299 old timer]

Chandeliers please.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

From here: http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2014/09/25/brixtons-electric-avenue-to-glow-again/

 

[editor]

From here: http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2014/09/25/brixtons-electric-avenue-to-glow-again/

There's more info on the old Electric Avenue here:

http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2013/08/the-rise-and-fall-of-electric-avenue-brixton/

http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2013/12/an-edwardian-christmas-in-brixton-electric-avenue-in-photos/

It was pretty down at heel by the 60s:

 

[technical]

Any investment has to be welcome. There's usually match funding requirements with this kind of programme, so it might be able to make a reasonable impact.

Its an HLF THI scheme, so there will be intended coordination about the final outcomes. However, to a large degree it depends on the individual owners as to the take up.

I suppose its inevitable that any large scale programme to improve environmental quality that happens at the moment in an inner London area runs the risk of accelerating change - but the alternative is no investment and the same, slow decline in appearance.

 

[friendofdorothy]

It was pretty down at heel by the 60s:

That isn't Electric Ave - I can't work it out - is it Atlantic rd? I had no idea the canopies were still there in the '60s - when and why did they get rid of them?

 

[editor]

That isn't Electric Ave - I can't work it out - is it Atlantic rd? I had no idea the canopies were still there in the '60s - when and why did they get rid of them?

It's Electric Avenue looking towards Atlantic Road. Brixton overground is straight ahead.

Here's my then and now view:

http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/electric3.html

 

[colacubes]

That isn't Electric Ave - I can't work it out - is it Atlantic rd? I had no idea the canopies were still there in the '60s - when and why did they get rid of them?

It is. Looks like it's looking down towards Atlantic Rd from the Electric Lane junction to me.

 

[ViolentPanda]

That outcome is possible - and undesirable. But the street could do with a tidy-up - trees growing out of houses!

It's a surrealist masterpiece, that tree!

 

[Pickman's model]

I'd suggest a set of uniform shop signs.

always looks crap.

 

[Gramsci]

What steps do you think need to be taken to ensure that doesn't happen?

Council could CPO the properties. Then use the grants to make the upstairs residential into affordable housing.

 

[isvicthere?]

"We gonna rock down to/gentry avenue"

 

[Gramsci]

Any investment has to be welcome. There's usually match funding requirements with this kind of programme, so it might be able to make a reasonable impact.

Its an HLF THI scheme, so there will be intended coordination about the final outcomes. However, to a large degree it depends on the individual owners as to the take up.

I suppose its inevitable that any large scale programme to improve environmental quality that happens at the moment in an inner London area runs the risk of accelerating change - but the alternative is no investment and the same, slow decline in appearance.

This shows how times have changed. Looking up the old Brixton Challenge scheme for the Brixton thread shows that at least back in 80s and early 90s there was the idea that grant aided investment should be used in a way that take the views of local community into account.

From what the Council say this is basically handouts for landlords. With clawback if they sell within 10 years. A nice little earner for the rentier class.

The Council can use CPO powers to make landlords not leave residential property empty for years.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Surely there can't be the demand for a doubling of the number of restaurants etc

There must be some limit.

Equilibrium always gets reached eventually, but if Brixton Village is anything like Battersea Park Road was 30 years ago, the number of restaurants and bars will have to reach a critical mass first, with all the concomitant problems that'll cause for employees and employers at said venues.

 

[Winot]

This shows how times have changed. Looking up the old Brixton Challenge scheme for the Brixton thread shows that at least back in 80s and early 90s there was the idea that grant aided investment should be used in a way that take the views of local community into account.

I was told (by someone that was involved at the time) that there were governance and accountability problems with Brixton Challenge money. No idea if that's true.

 

[friendofdorothy]

It's Electric Avenue looking towards Atlantic Road. Brixton overground is straight ahead.

Here's my then and now view:

http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/electric3.html

It looks so different with the canopies and the railway bridges look more ornate.

 

[technical]

This shows how times have changed. Looking up the old Brixton Challenge scheme for the Brixton thread shows that at least back in 80s and early 90s there was the idea that grant aided investment should be used in a way that take the views of local community into account.

From what the Council say this is basically handouts for landlords. With clawback if they sell within 10 years. A nice little earner for the rentier class.

The Council can use CPO powers to make landlords not leave residential property empty for years.

There's various criteria for THI schemes, but one of them is working with the local community - pretty much the first rule of regeneration. There's challenges with every scheme - but ideally, THI schemes try to address heritage/architectural/streetscape issues while having positive economic outputs and delivering community benefits at the same time. Can't be arsed looking it up but the full criteria are on the HLF website.

Ultimately though, the majority of buildings are privately owned - this is often where the problems occur.

Lambeth (who I assume are leading on the project) should be doing a better job communicating what the objectives are if you ask me, particularly given concerns about rapid pace of change in Brixton.