The Frankford Civic meeting held tonight, was very well attended with about 30 people in the room.
There will be a SEPTA meeting at the Frankford Group Ministry building (4620 Griscom Street) on December 8th, to inform the community about the 7.5 million dollar rehabilitation of the Margaret-Orthodox El stop. It was the first el stop rebuilt back in the 80’s and now they need to do it over again. This time maybe it will be the right way. See the community calendar for the details.
Rep. Payton has partnered with the Energy Coordinating Agency to offer a Weatherization Workshop in Frankford. Weatherizing your home can reduce your heating bill dramatically, and provides a safer, warmer home for your family. The Energy Coordinating Agency will show you how you can weatherize your home for little to no money. They will also discuss assistance programs from the government that help pay for the cost of weatherizing your home. See the community calendar for the details. Please Call State Representative Tony Payton Jr’s Office at 215-744-7901 or email Simone Woods at swoods@pahouse.net if you plan to attend.
Zoning hearing at the ZBA for the conversion of 1522 and 1524 Church Street to multi family housing. The community opposes the conversion and all concerned residents should attend the hearing to make sure the ZBA understands our position.
A contractor who owns the lot at 4205-07 Adams Avenue is seeking support for a zoning change to build a garage to store his equipment. He came along 
with his architect to display his proposal. He was advised to solicit support from the immediate neighbors adjacent to his property and to begin the application process.
It was anticipated that Anthony Bannister would appear to explain his group’s plan to purchase the now closed New Frankford Community Y property. They have been in discussion with Senator Payton’s office as well as Councilperson Quinones Sanchez office. No one from the group attended the meeting. Reps from Sanchez and Payton’s office both said in the course of their meetings they had raised questions about the business plan and funding for the project. In addition,there is the issue of the sale of a non profit entity to a “for profit” corporation. Barry Howell, president of the Northwood Civic was present and said that the Northwood Civic’s position at this point is to emphatically oppose the deal.
Good news to report. Somehow the long unmoving vehicle on Ruan Street that was discussed at last month’s meeting has been eliminated. We’re not sure who deserves the credit for doing the right thing.
Next Frankford Civic meeting is January 7th. Be sure all the details I forgot to report on NEastPhilly.com.
I thought Barry Howel was totally for it. Wasn’t he on camera on neast philly talking about how great it would be to get Leiper Street turned around like 2 weeks ago?
Yes, I’m curious about that myself. Something must have happened that made Barry change his mind. And what questions were raised at the meeting with Mr. Payton and Ms Sanchez? Unfortunately I cannot attend the Civic meetings due to work. Does anyone know why Mr. Bannister did not show up at the meeting?
They were asked to show a business plan and also confirm a funding source. Jason Dawson (Sanchez office) and Jorge Santanna (Payton office) were both expecting them to show. They had talked to them and were expecting to ask more questions at the meeting.
Barry was open to the opportunity at the Northwood meeting but told them that there was a long way to go before they would get Northwood’s approval.
I just listened to the web recording of the Civic meeting and some of what Barry Howel had to say. I agree with Barry, “I smell a rat”. Frankford residents must learn “Beware of Strangers Bearing Gifts”.
[…] In regard to the possible sale of the now vacant Frankford Community Y building, Jason Dawkins of Ms. Sanchez staff reports that the issue is still on the table but the attorney for the parties involved say that funding is still not in place. That was the reason why they did not appear at the last Civic meeting. […]