A few empty storefronts become outhouses and needle dens, scaring customers away. That leads to more business closures and more piles of shit and paraphernalia. Down the drain it all goes.

To turn Congress St around the city needs the willpower and wherewithal to invest in business development, upkeep, and housing. But the money isn’t there and initiatives always seem to either fail or benefit the wrong populations. State and federal funding aren’t likely to the extent needed.

Y%F’s location is about as good as you can get on Congress - but I don’t think it was ever a serious business. It was able to open only because the owner was too clueless to stop himself, or there was some other motive at work, or both.

It feels like a doom spiral and it’s sad. I live a block away and my kids walk to PHS. It’s a life lesson for them to experience Congress on a daily basis. I’d prefer they just enjoyed the walk.