'Out of control' may be excessive; but 'intolerable' is an extremely strong word that you chose; I can understand it producing a strong reaction.
I spend a fair bit of time in the St. Lawrence area; and while it is not a utopian panacea, it really is a very lovely area with much to recommend it.
It has also shown tangible improvement in some respects in the recent past. Notably, the wonderful facelift of Market Street, and the superb refresh of St. James Park.
Perhaps its possible to express concern over those things that haven't improved, or indeed become more problematic over time, w/o being unduly alarmist.