the western edge

Mercer's alumni house (pictured above) sits at the western boundary of our neighborhood. When Craig came to interview, this is where he stayed. Little did he know that he would be offered the job or that we would buy a house just two blocks from his lodging.

Mercer's role in revitalizing our neighborhood can't be understated. As I wrote about earlier the University gave us a forgivable second mortgage for settling here, and remains one of the key partners (along with the Knight Foundation and the City) working to ensure the neighborhood's success.

This wasn't always the case. In the 1980's and early 90's, faced with increasing crime and blight surrounding the campus, Mercer erected fences and became quite insulated. Memory is very long in Beall's Hill, and to this day some of the long-standing residents still harbor suspicions about Mercer's intentions.

In a recent conversation a man told me that Mercer intended to purchase the entire neighborhood and turn it into student rentals. When I disagreed with him, he told me that I didn't know Mercer. Obviously this is a hurdle that the University must continue to overcome.