Dear Steve,
I am afraid I can't agree on just referring to the added construction on the rear of garden-style apartments as just "additions." The term "Bump Out" actually best fits what the people who run the Gates of Ballston [formerly the Gates of Arlington] did to my previous unit (4116 North Henderson Road).
My particular unit was part of a larger unit comprising the building covering 4112-4116 North Henderson Road. There used to be a side walk between the rear of this building and the group of units on north 4th Street abutting my former unit. It also included a tree, and was a place where limited play and other activities could take place. Now, the tree is gone, the sidewalk is gone, and while you can still walk through, it is like going through some kind of canyon which you feel you want to get through in a hurry.
By the way with these (enhanced) units, two bedroom units were turned into three bedroom units. My last rent in 1996 for my two bedroom unit at 4116 North Henderson was $954. I was told that if I wanted to return to the new (enhanced) three bedroom unit, I would have had to pay $1800, I declined.
I'll let your readers figure out whether these changes improved the attractiveness of the general area, or improved the affortability of such units with---yes--"Bump Outs."
Sincerely,
Louis Quay
Buckingham
The writer is referring to my "Wonk In Wonderland" column of last Friday. --ST
