The old woodframe house on Grand Avenue that has fallen into extreme disrepair over the last decade is finally getting a makeover. For years, the son of the owner has lived there (along with assorted unsavory neighborhood characters) without heat or hot water. The older woman who has owned the house in absentia for years recently died, leaving the house to her granddaughter. A few days ago, this dumpster showed up. This morning there was a cleaning crew working on the place. We were able to take a quick look around. It was hard to believe that people had been living in this place: Paint and wallpaper peeling off the walls, puddles everywhere, windows boarded up. It will be interesting to see if this changes the dynamic of the drug trade and loitering at this end of the block. Only the warmer weather will tell.