After much speculation and commenting on a few of our posts, the apparent new owner of 1520 Arrott Street has checked in with a comment.  According to “vern new property owner”:

it is unfare to judge me or wat im doing if u have not stopped to talk with me. That was the the past let it go this is a change for the good

There’s no signage posted on obvious renovating; if it’s going back to a bar, there’s no posting of the liquor license.  Vern, would you please check in with the Frankford Civic and let them know what’s going on with the building.  We’d all love to frankfly.  According to their webiste, you can reach them at info@frankfordcivic.org and at (215) 821-9124.

It would also be awesome if you could check in with Jason Dawkins in Counselwoman Sanchez’s office, who seems to be running point with this civic issue.  His number is 215-686-3448.

And I’d really like any contacted parties to keep The Frankford Gazette in the loop so we can accurately relay information to concerned residents.  The worse thing for this neighborhood is rumor and inuendo.  We’re at info@frankfordgazette.com.

The was a good crowd on hand last week for the Frankford Civic Association Meeting.  Chris Wink has a great report on NEastPhilly.com which hits all the right notes.  He was tardy and missed a short but important discussion we had at the very start concerning the property at 1520 Orthodox Arrott Street.

This is the location of the former Primo’s Sports bar that was closed as a nuisance.  That closure is only effective for a year and then the premises are free to be reopened.  Given the location and unregulated drug market that has surrounded the area, it is clear that it will once again become a problem.

Construction is now underway in the building.  It has been reported on Philly311.com.  Calls have been made to Councilwoman Sanchez office and to Tony Payton’s office.  Jason Dawkins commented on our previous post linked above:

Our office did report out about the above location, the bar does not have a liquor license, which means it will not be a bar…. The location was shut down 7yrs ago and the owner never renewed his license, and there is no current application on file for another license. Folks should not make statements that are not true, if anyone has any questions please call our office and ask for me.

The reason why the folks are up in arms about this bar is that they have a history of ignoring the law and regulations.  Not having a liquor license but still in business for the next 6 years would be one cause for concern.  Building construction with no permits is another.  So if it did not stop them before, it will not stop them now.

In fairness to Jason, I am sure he will do his best to keep it closed.  You can call him directly at Councilwoman Sanchez office at 215-686-3448 or 3449.

It was almost surreal to hear, once again, a call for a moment of silence at the Frankford Civic Association meeting on Thursday night.  At December’s meeting, Frances Clay had asked for that moment in honor of Thelma Young, long time member.  This month, Brian Wisniewski asked for that moment of silence in honor of Frances who passed away before Christmas.

Alice Henry read a thank you card to the Civic for the remembrance at her memorial service and then the meeting commenced with new business exactly as Frances would expect.

The election for officers was conducted with the following results:
President – Brian Wisniewski
Vice President -  Alice Henry
Secretary -  Rose Zimmermann
Treasurer -  Tim Wisniewski
Zoning – Pete Specos
at large – Al Rose
at large – Al Mitchell
at large – Margie Rivera
at large – Steve McClintock

Jason Dawkins

Several issues of problem properties were raised by Mike Mawson of West Frankford Town Watch.  The Civic will look into those issues.

Roselyn Gonzalez attended on behalf of the club the “Third Floor” at 4651 Frankford Avenue.  She has been in contact with Councilwoman Sanchez office recently(Jason Dawkins) in attempt to work through the process of finding out what has to be done with the city to become legal. You can see the coverage and video by the NEastPhilly.com here.

The club has been operating unlicensed for several months with some problems as previously reported here.  The intention is to resolve the problems and become a members only club.  They will be going before the zoning board to complete that process at some point in the future.  The Civic will then have some input in the process.

Roselyn Gonzalez

The next Frankford Civic  meeting is scheduled for February 3rd at 7PM at Aria Health, 2nd floor conference room.

The Frankford Chargers Midget football team is the three time Liberty Conference Football Champion, as well as the three time Eastern Region Pop Warner finalists and the 2008 Pop Warner National Champions.   On Saturday, November 27, the team won the Eastern regional championship game and will advance to the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando, Florida.  The Super Bowl is an 8 region tournament to crown the National Champion.

From Jason Dawkins:

The Frankford Chargers has provided recreational activities for children since 1967. This year marks our 42^nd year anniversary. Coaching our youth on football fundamentals and mentoring our young men and women to be decent citizens has made it exciting 42 years. Through our hard work and perseverance we won our first Pop Warner National championship in 2008, and have won multiple championships in football, cheerleading, basketball, and baseball throughout the years. Most of our youth go on to play for their high schools and colleges, and some even go as far as coaching community little league teams.

Rasheed Muhammad is the head coach, the win on Saturday November 27, 2010 in the Eastern Regional Championship was his 75^th win in 7 seasons.  His overall record is 75-8-4.  He is the 3x Liberty Conference Champion and 3x Eastern Regional finalist.  Rasheed is a graduate of Frankford High School and a Frankford Charger’s Alumnus.

The Chargers need to raise $33,000 for this trip.  See their attached solicitation for donations.

Now can the Eagles be as good as the Chargers this year?

As reported in the Northeast Times on September 29th, the Frankford Parks Group has received a boost in the form of grants of Councilwoman Sanchez office totaling $30,000 which will allow them to buy and install playground equipment at Wilmot Park, Meadow and Mulberry Streets.  The old equipment will be removed next week and the new installation will take place in the Spring.

You can see by the pictures that there is definitely a need.  This little park is in a historic corner of Frankford opposite the Second Baptist Church on one corner and on the other side, the historic old Wilmot school building.  Thanks to Councilwoman Sanchez and Jason Dawkins who always the best interest of the neighborhood in mind.

The Frankford Parks groups meets the last Monday of the month at Second Baptist, Meadow and Mulberry Streets, at 6PM.  The next meeting is on October 25th.