Tag: 4721 Oxford Ave.

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Frankford Civic Association Meeting for February

At the Frankford Civic meeting on February 6th there were no zoning cases presented.  There are two pending issues that required a continuance and the owners will be requested to visit the next meeting.

Residents heard some positive news from Griscom Street.  After years of decay, 4728 Griscom has been sold to a Griscom Apartments LP with the intention of use for senior citizen housing.  It is also contemplated that 4732-34 Griscom (4 story historic building) will become part of that deal once some title problems are cleared up.

On the opposite corner, Pete Specos, president of the Civic Association, noted that a permit for a sit down restaurant has been granted to 4731 Griscom St.  The property owner had applied for a variance for a take out chicken store at that location last year.  Residents vocally protested and the application was withdrawn.  Construction is now going forward with the incarnation of the business.  Residents are very concerned about any business moving into that property that will attract drug users and dealers at all hours of the day and night.  They resolved that if this looks like the direction the business will take, protest will be carried on until the situation is corrected.  If necessary, they will take the pickets to the owner’s home.

The club at 4721 Oxford (formerly the State Store) was open for a private party the weekend of February 1st.  Since it has no license and numerous L&I violations, the police were notified and came to shut it down.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be held on March 6th at Aria Hospital at 7PM.

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Manny Citron at Frankford Civic

manny citron

Sanya and Manny at Overington Park

Philly Rising’s Manny Citron introduced his replacement at the Frankford Civic Association meeting on December 5th.  Sanya Brown, graduate of Temple University, has assumed Manny’s coordinator duties at PhillyRising. Manny is moving on to another position in the Philadelphia Managing Director’s office.

Manny has been a constant presence in Frankford at every event over the last two years.  He is a roll up your sleeves and get dirty, kind of guy that you need in PhillyRising and he leaves Frankford a better place.  We look forward to working with Sanya.

Other news at the meeting:

  • Several nuisance bars have been closed on the East side of Torresdale Avenue in the last two months much to the relieve of local residents.
  • Turning Points for Children is opening a local office at 4329 Griscom Street.  The entrance will be on the side where Family Dollar is on Frankford Avenue.  They are the DHS Community Umbrella Agency for the 15th police district.
  • The club at 4721 Oxford Avenue has been closed by L&I.  That is what the white sign with the red strips means on the door.
  • There is some hope that two buildings 4728, 32-34 Griscom, long vacant, may be turned to good use.  There are some legal hurdles that have to be overcome but it could happen and that will transform that intersection.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be held on January 9th, 2014.  This is one week later than usual due to the New Years holiday.