A Sad View of Hillcrest…

We have lived in the area for about 12 years. I totally agree with the business owner’s letter you posted. The streets are filthy with gum and dirt, grass is growing along the edge of University Avenue right by our beloved Hillcrest sign. The check cashing place on Fifth Avenue by the new puke green realtors office is covered in dreadful signs and the windows covered with crap. Rich’s wall of rust ads nothing to the charming shops/cafes beyond it. University Avenue is just shabby. In the past few years many of our friends from out of town have noticed the downturn of Hillcrest.
San Francisco’s Castro and West Hollywood streets are lined with cheerful businesses many with awnings shading the sidewalk, Santa Monica Boulevard is now lined with beautiful trees, most the bars/clubs and cafes open to the sidewalks. I’m not a business owner, but I am one of the people that work, live, walk and shop the neighborhood. I loved the uptown/urban feel of Hillcrest when we moved here. Why is this happening?
Sincerely, John Williamson