In the late 80’s I lived in Hoboken, NJ (Manhatten was too expensive). Hoboken was going through what was known as a renascence LOL. Due to strict building codes and renters rights, property owners would do what is so common in the East – burn it down. Solved the “codes” and “renters’ rights’ problems – voila!
The newspapers would even comment on which homeless person was sporting new clothes and seemed to have some new-found spending power.
Reminds me of the story of the Dr.who didn’t want his ex-wife to get the Manhatten building in the divorce settlement so he had it burned down – then it turned out that the “property” was more valuable post fire – ha ha ha! gotta love the East!
