Making lemonade of Heights' lemons

When people look at the University Heights area and say it is old, rundown, unsafe and dirty, Mike Miranda looks down the same Main Street and sees a vibrant and flourishing neighborhood.

For over 30 years, Miranda has owned Miranda Real Estate in the heart of the Heights. If there is any single person who might be able to judge the direction the South Campus neighborhood is headed, it might be Miranda, whose company is also the primary property holder there.

"It's obviously gone through changes over the years," said Miranda, who believes the Heights is on the way up. "But the texture of the neighborhood, that hasn't changed. It's always been a nice mix of permanent residents, students, businesspeople, and professors from the university. As you have in most college towns or neighborhoods, the businesses are reflective of that clientele."

Detractors of the area may argue that the older homes aren't as nice to live in as the new Sweethome apartments or the on-campus apartments that offer many amenities such as whirlpool bathtubs and impressive lounges.

"The types of housing requirements, that has changed," Miranda said. "The student population is more focused on the amenities. We've been going in to homes and doing complete renovations to bring them up to date."

According to Miranda, possibly the best part about the Heights is the community atmosphere where houses are flanked on all sides by restaurants, bars, stores, and shops. Also the close proximity to public transportation makes the need for a car almost non-existent.

"The quality of life is so much better than what's more of the same in Sweethome. In the Heights you have all different types of housing," he said. "It's more colorful. It's more like you're on your own."

"The people that rented here last year are coming back because of the community instead of being another number on a door to an apartment that is your structured living," Miranda added. "We also have the pleasure and luxury of the transit system that hits twice in the Heights, at University Station and at LaSalle."

The longevity of the neighborhood has something to be said for it. Miranda said that he's now renting to the children of people he rented to when they were in college. He also spoke of businesses that have stood the test of time.

"Sure, businesses come and go and sure we've got some bars and eateries but we've also got some great book stores and other shops. When you talk about Old Edition bookstore, Talking Leaves bookstore, Queen City Printing, students have patronized those stores as well as Miranda Real Estate for the last 30 years," he said.

Also, according to Miranda there are very few holes down Main Street as far as empty business fronts go.

"The only vacant spot we have, and it's a large space, is what used to be Mickey Rat's on Minnesota and Main," he said. "One option would be for mixed residential with apartments on the second floor."

And a new bar/lounge/eatery like the Steer may be in the works in the near future.

"We're talking about development of the block between Molly's and Wilson Farms where the vacant lot is as well," he said.

Perhaps the biggest perceived downside of the Heights area is the crime that students face, from bar fights to break-ins and assaults.

"I hate to elaborate on the crime," Miranda said. "And here's why: they talk about crimes in the Heights like break-ins but just like in the dorms, if you leave your door unlocked someone will go through your things and take something. You get graffiti. In the late night you might have a fight in a bar. You just accept that as part of that existence. They like to talk about it here because it's off campus."

"I hate to dwell on that. I think they make a mountain of a molehill," he continued. "People have a tendency to look out for each other though."

The construction on Main Street will come to an end in June completing the entire phase from Hertel to Bailey. The completion will help alleviate some of the traffic issues. Also, Miranda said that parking issues are being addressed as well.

"We have public parking going in behind the buildings from Just Pizza to Frank's Mobil," he said.

Overall, Miranda said he believes that everyone should look on the bright side when it comes to the University Heights.

"In any event, all of what I'm seeing is positive," Miranda said. "I'm the guy that turns lemons into lemonade. If there's a downside, how can we turn that into an upside?"