I found my apartment. The building looks identical to its state today, but the neighborhood feels a lot different. The 1940s version is a barren landscape of street, sidewalk, building. Today we have trees taking up most of the sidewalk. It really changes the character of the neighborhood and I didn't appreciate it as much until I saw the "before" picture.
The other thing I noticed was that the diner on the corner used to be a grandiose church. I have no idea who let them tear that down to build apartments. It probably wouldn't happen today.
> I have no idea who let them tear that down to build apartments.
Because you didn't need the government's permission. You just had to give the existing owner enough money to make it yours. Someone bought the church and developed the land.
The other thing I noticed was that the diner on the corner used to be a grandiose church. I have no idea who let them tear that down to build apartments. It probably wouldn't happen today.