Northwood Civic Association meeting Tuesday February 16th, 7:00 PM at St. James Church. Progress at 1301 Wakeling Street will be discussed. We will also be taking an emergency vote to make a monetary donation to the victims of the recent fire around the 4600 block of Griscom Street; discussion. Please bring a neighbor and share this post with other neighbors.
Category: Civics
Castor Avenue Traffic to Slow Down
Terry Heiser, Northwood resident has been working with the Streets Department on the issue of speeding traffic on Castor Avenue between Foulkrod and Pratt Sts. He appeared at the Northwood Civic Association meeting on January 19th along with Nick Cinciruk of the Streets Department to present the plan to implement a traffic slowing strategy that will be implemented when the weather turns warmer in the spring.
Terry Heiser, Northwood resident and Nick Cinciruk from the Philadelphia Streets Department
The strategy will consist of “soft rumble strips” placed on every block between Foulkrod and Pratt sts. on Castor Avenue. It has been proven effective elsewhere in reminding drivers to slow down. The speed limit will also be painted on the street in the travel lane at mid block and additional metal signs will be posted. The effectiveness of this strategy will be evaluated after implementation to determine whether additional steps are necessary.
State Rep. John Taylor spoke about the Conservator Act (Act 135) which he sponsored. It allows non profits to take over problem properties in a neighborhood and return them to productive use. There are several properties in Northwood that are in line to be included in this program. Possible list includes 1301 Wakeling, 1208 Dyre and 5050 Oxford. He also recapped the experience of trying to get a budget passed in Harrisburg.
State Rep. Jason Dawkins talked about the possibility that the new city Commissioner of Licenses and Inspections will be more aggressive in addressing the issue of recovery/boarding homes. Dawkins went into the issue of how this often comes down to poverty compounding the problem. You may be an addict and or you may just be poor and you have no choice but to live in these boarding homes. These places should be licensed and properly maintained at the very least.
The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be on Tuesday, February 16th at 7 PM at St. James Lutheran Church, Castor Avenue and Pratt St.
Frankford Civic Association Meeting January 2016
It was a good crowd for the first meeting of the year at St. Marks on January 7th. The highlight of the meeting was the talk by State Representative Jason Dawkins on the ongoing budget stalemate and the inside story of how it a potential budget agreement all fell apart right before Christmas.
Veronica Daniel updated the group on the Town Watch being formed in PSA1 of the 15th district. Residents interested or who want more information should attend the next PSA meeting on January 28th at 7PM at Aria Hospital. She noted that a partnership with the Representative’s office would be very beneficial.
Rep. Dawkins agreed and went on the say that the community would benefit from stronger working relationships between the various groups in Frankford. His team is looking into how to facilitate that goal.
Dawkins went on to a list of other issues they are looking at for this year:
- The 15th District gun buy back in December was very successful with 82 weapons turned in. Dawkins is interested in targeting the gun buy back at the younger crowd since that is the demographic most likely to be involved in crime involving guns.
- Newly sworn in mayor Kenney has committed to community schools as are not implemented in the Cincinnati school district. If something is implemented, Frankford should be at the top of the list.
- We have a new Commissioner of Police and it would be good to have him come to Frankford to meet the community to hear about our concerns.
Chris from Margaret Street raised the issue of the truck parking on Ditman Street and Torresdale Avenue and also problem of Harding School failure to keep the sidewalk area clean on the Ditman Street side back where it intersects Margaret.
Pete Specos discussed the problem of lighting under the El being an invitation to crime because it is too dark there. Rep. Dawkins said that it is being addressed as part of the reconstruction of the Arrott Street Transportation Center which began last week. That is a 30 month long project that will bring the station into the 21st century.
The next Frankford Civic Association meeting will be on February 4th at 7 PM at St. Mark’s Church at 4442 Frankford Avenue. Entrance is through the side door in the parking lot.
Making Frankford a Better Place to Live
There are a lot of meetings every month in Frankford, what do they all do? Here is a list.
- Frankford Civic Association is lead by Pete Specos. It meets at St. Marks Church at 4442 Frankford Avenue on the first Monday of every month at 7 PM. Use the side door up the stairway off the parking lot. It deals with quality of life issues and helping people find out where to go to solve problems.
- Frankford NAC (Neighborhood Advisory Council) Zoning board is lead by Doug Bryant. It meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM at the Second Baptist Church of Frankford at 1801 Meadow Street. It deals with zoning variances that are required under certain circumstances when an owner wants to change the use of a property. If you live in a single family neighborhood and one of your neighbors wants to make his house into a duplex, he needs a variance. The neighborhood has to be notified and this meeting is your opportunity to voice your approval or opposition.
- Northwood Civic Association is lead by Joe Krause. It meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 PM at St. James Lutheran Church at Castor Ave. and Pratt St. It deals with quality of life issues and helping people find out where to go to solve problems.
- 15th District PSA1 is lead by Lt. Duane Gordon. It meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 PM at Aria Hospital in the second floor cafeteria. This is your opportunity to talk to the police about any issues you may have.
All of these meetings are good opportunities to find out what is going on in Frankford and to network with people in the community who are getting things done.
Northwood Civic Association Meeting Cancelled This Month
Dear Northwood neighbors:
Due to the busy holiday season, the December meeting is being cancelled. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 7:00pm.
The Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity, to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season. May you have a safe and wonderful New Year!!
