Two years ago Csaky found himself homeless, surrounded by dead-ends. Posted on 04/09/2008 12:59:11 PM PDT by BGHater
SEATTLE -- He was kicked while he was down, but he eventually found way to build a new life. But now, David Csaky is on the brink of another fall.
Two years ago Csaky found himself homeless, surrounded by dead-ends.
"I was divorced, I had bad credit, I have animals with me," he said. "I have two walls against me. I can't hurdle either one."
But then he found three sturdy trees under the Ship Canal Bridge in the Eastlake neighborhood and decided to build himself a tree house.
While earning a very modest living by rescuing animals, Csaky kept plugging away at the idea.
"I'm not your typical homeless person. I just wanted a home," he said.
Csaky crafted his new home in the vacant lot underneath the interstate with patience and makeshift material. The result: an urban pied-a-terre of sorts with a priceless view.
"I've just pieced and pieced and pieced things together," said Csaky. "I built it with love and safety. It's very, very important to me."
The man's labor of love didn't go unnoticed. Neighbors who heard Csaky hammer and saw away for months stopped by for a look.
"The neighbors have named it 'three-tree harbor,'" he said.
"He's got a beautiful view. In the summer he's in the shade with the tree. I think it's beautiful," said neighbor Alley Tenley.
Cables and thick branches anchor the home. The sink doesn't work and the ladder creaks. But filled with personal touches, the place has become Csaky's home.
Through trial and error over time, Csaky fortified the tree house to be able to withstand the elements. He reinforced the roof with 20-foot beams and tarp.
"The wind can be 50 mile per hour there and 40 there, and it doesn't rip at all," he said proudly. "It's built like a giant umbrella, and it's built right from the tree."
In this way, Csaky made himself a home. He thought he had found his place in the world.
But then came the boot.
On Monday the city served him with an eviction notice telling him to pack up, move out and move into a shelter. A complaint from a neighbor triggered the city's action. Csaky's home sits on property owned by Seattle City Light.
"It's city property. There are liabilities, public health hazards. And it's not a humane way to live," said Sara Levin with the Seattle Human Services Department.
The city gave Csaky 48 hours to vacate the home that took him years to build. Comply or get tossed out, the city said.
The man doesn't have much to pack up, but a life in the shelter means he must part with his beloved animals, not to mention the place he built with own hands and the ties he's built with his neighbors.
"He's so friendly. He's always laughing, he's got tons of stories to tell. He'll talk your ear off if you let him," said Tenley, laughing.
In response to public criticism, the city granted Csaky a 10-day stay on Tuesday. But the story still has the same ending; Csaky must move out.
Csaky says he hasn't lived in a real home in four years. The city says it has offered him an alternate place. But the man says he doesn't know where he will go after he leaves his beloved home with a view.
"I just wish they (the city) would reconsider," he said. "I don't know. I'm leaving it in God's hands."
I can’t figure out why this guy can’t get and hold a job. He’s obviously resourceful, and he’s got to have SOME skills to keep that rigged-up lean-to stable through the weather.
I wonder if he thinks he “can’t” because he’s been *told* too many times by the liberal do-gooders that he “can’t.” Anybody who can put something like that place together on his own has no reason to be a victim. I sure hope he lands on his feet.
}:-)4
Mental problems, Drug problems, Booze problems ? or all three
Man, I would’ve loved a tree fort like that when I was a kid!
“he could eventually assert “adverse possession” against them and take the property. “
It appears the property belongs to the City so adverse possession wouldn’t apply here.
You have to WANT to succeed to succeed. He's a moron who can't afford to house himself but he can afford to feed PETS!?! I repeat: he's a moron. Anyone here trying to make this guy out to be some kind of "victim-hero" are mistaken.
He's on someone else's property.
other then that the tree house is cool
She laughed, we went to a Chinese restaurant, and I figured she might be a `keeper’.
The article indicates they referred him to a shelter. They didn't tell him to go sleep under an overpass or in an alley.
I don’t live there ... so is unknown to me whether there’s any meaningful legal distinction between “The City of Seattle” and “Seattle City Light”.
It’s not wheelchair accessible. THAT’s what got him caught .
That, sir, is hilarious! On my first date with my future wife, unaware that she owned and loved five cats, I explained my position (can't recall how the subject arose), which is (and remains) that all cats ought to be gunnysacked, taken out beyond the three-mile limit, and dumped.
Thirty years later, she ended up with one husband, two children, one grandchild so far, two dogs--and zero cats. Life is good!
I have a friend in that position. Hard to find work as a machinist in Michigan right now. He lost his car and house so he built a little cabin for himself in a little bit of woods. Stays under the radar, rides his bike wherever he needs to go. He’s looking for work, including out of state but it’s hard to find a job without transport.
He’s a great guy and smart by not building right in some neighborhood.
"I told my wife on our first date that I had two .22 rifles and a lantern in the trunk and we were going to the landfill to shoot rats."Reminds me of the time I asked my 2nd wife if she wanted to go shopping. After getting all excited, smiling, painting and pin-striping her face she discovered I was only heading to Western Auto to get some car wax.
I should probably mention she's also known as my 2nd EX-wife, although I don't know why... I'm a nice guy.
Whoa man thats taking it a little far. We dont know his condition. He could be perfectly healthy and sane on the other hand. You ever saw a Bipolar individual one minute completely normal next minute rip your head off if you cross them.
At least give the guy a break. You dont own your property either fail to pay your taxes and see what happens.
That was a dirty trick. See where it got you?
To his everlasting delight, I took the shotgun out of his hands and blew that sucker to Kingdom Come!
love.....it comes in all forms!
Has anybody thought to just simply buy this guy a bus ticket to Berkeley?
Why is it always one effin' a-hole who has to have their way?
And why is it that a municipality doesn't ever have the cojones to say, "We'll poll the rest of the neighborhood before acting on your request."?
Looks to be Jagermeister or a reasonable facsimile, thereof.
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