Joe Krause, President of the Northwood Civic Association told residents attending the meeting on February 16th that The Bridge, located on Adams Avenue, sent out a brief email to the effect that they would be seeking community support to expand the facility to accommodate an additional 35 residents. They propose to use temporary modular units at first but will eventually want to build a permanent expansion. In 2011 there was a great controversy over approval for the move of the Bridge into Northwood.
The Bridge from their web site: The Bridge is a nonprofit behavioral health treatment and youth opportunity program for adolescents and their families seeking to overcome substance abuse, mental health issues, truancy and other challenges. The Bridge includes a comprehensive continuum of services, accredited by the Joint Commission. The Bridges’ services include a residential substance abuse treatment program for 38 adolescent males, the only one in Philadelphia; an outpatient treatment program for people of all ages; a licensed private school; and the E3Center West in West Philadelphia that helps out-of-school youth and youth returning from juvenile justice placements develop academic, vocational, and life skills. Since 1971, the Bridge has become a leader in the treatment of high-risk youth by helping more than 15,000 adolescents and families in the Philadelphia region.
Notice to residents will be given by the Civic when the Bridge makes a formal presentation so that as interested residents may attend the meeting.
Terri Heiser updated the group on the Castor Avenue project. In the early Spring we should see work start. In addition, Heiser is now taking a look at the problem of truck traffic at the intersection of Adams and Ramona.
Work at the old K Mart is being done. Permits for interior work and new signage do not disclose the names of any future tenants.
Tom McAvoy reports that the No Truck Parking signs are up and that means no 18 wheelers may be parked at any time wherever there is one of those signs. That includes in front of Frankford High School on the weekends. You should call 911 to have them ticketed.
Several residents have reported men living out of their cars in the area of the String Theory School. That is a potential problem and you should report it to 911.
Joe Krause is scheduled to attend a Conservatorship hearing to support the acquisition of 1301 Wakeling Street by a non profit organization that will then rehab it and sell it as a single family residence.
One resident complained about the ever growing number of dumpsters on Frankford High School property and how they are block the sidewalk. Joe Krause will talk to the dumpster company and the school about cleaning up the mess.
The next Northwood Civic Association meeting will be held on March 15th at 7 PM at St. James Lutheran Church at Pratt Street and Castor Avenue.
