1. Redefine your topic as narrowly as possible

My topic is to focus on the current and future of New York City public housing. We will be focusing primarily on the Farragut houses located at Vinegar Hill.

2.What have you learned about the topic? Be sure you can document & cite sources.

So far what I’ve learnt is NYCHA is very behind in maintenance work and they do not respond to the residents complaints. I’ve also learnt that they are special zoning depending on the land value and public housing are only built in certain neighborhoods. I am very curious to find out why with additional research.

3.What do you want to say about the topic?

For our topic we want to focus narrowly on the Farragut Housing although we will still be doing research on about the New York City Housing Authority.

4.What do you still need to do/know/research to accomplish #3

we still need to research how much rent the residents that live in the Farragut houses pay, whether of not NYCHA accepts section 8 vouchers, how long does NYCHA takes to call you back after one applies, how is qualified to apply to live in the Farragut houses and why does NYCHA takes so long to respond to the residents’ needs.

5.What is your game plan?

Since we will actually get to speak and speak to a NYCHA representative on Monday our plan is to get as much information as we can since that will be an excellent primary source  to get direct first hand information.

TOPIC: Historical Aspect of Build Environment of Vinegar Hill area. What was on the NYCHA property before Farragut Houses.  Why old houses where demolished? 

I have learned: 

– common information of land changes from late 18th century till nowadays.

– map transformation. Old streets, alleys and small roads. Their conditions and history.

– names of the land, streets, objects

– commercial, industrial and residential changes on the land.

– images of the old land comparing to nowadays pictures

– process of demolishing old “slum” houses

– process of construction of Farragut Houses

– first tenants, rent price and applicants. News articles on this topic in 1946-1955.

– process of construction of Church of the Open Door, demonstrations.

– Farragut Houses renovations

Want to say:

We want to describe the historical changes on the land of Vinegar Hill and particular on the land of Farragut Houses. The condition of the houses that were there before project, their conditions, owners and quality. Why they where considered as a “slum”. What buildings were important for the area but were still destroyed.

Additional: I want to show the historical changes of the land in the Vinegar Hill area including description of streets, names, popular places. I want to go deeper into the illustration to bring the idea how it was to leave at that area in different centuries, how expensive was the land, where did people work, where did they live and where did they go out. Hopefully I will be able to connect topics from other groups to create a full picture of the area. I know that this idea will be hard for realization. I hope I can make at least some part of the work I’m planning.

I need to learn further:

We want to go deeper into the details of the history of the area of Farragut Houses, conditions of the old houses that were there before, their age, important names and constructions of the area. Changes throughout of years. Also I want to find more information about changes in Farragut Houses, what was added and what was changes.

Gameplan:

1. Research on names of the owners of the land in the 18th century
2. Research on streets in articles and important places.
3. Cultural changes.
4. Image of the site back in a day.