Category: Features

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Frankford Civic Passes on Crown

4731 Griscom (2) web

4731 Griscom St.

In an, at times contentious, meeting of the Frankford Civic Association on April 4th, the membership voted unanimously to oppose the opening of a Crown Fried Chicken at 4731 Griscom Street.  Turnout was unusually large with some members carrying signed petitions of opposition already circulated and in hand.

The owner’s representative made a presentation to the group for a variance for use of the property for take out service.  Although the legal address is on Griscom Street the store would be located in what was formerly Lee’s shoe repair at Oxford and Griscom.

Residents of that block of Griscom Street spoke out vehemently against the variance.  Gary and Sandra both cited the history of drugs and violence which plagued the area last year with 3 murders during that time. Recent months have shown improvement and they do not want to see a business open which they believe will lead to a return to the bad old days.  They made it clear that the issue is not personal to this owner but would be the same for any business keeping late hours for take out food.  These businesses belong on a commercial corridor and not at the end of a residential block.

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1708 Orthodox St.

In another case, the owner of 1728 Orthodox is seeking a variance to build a one story garage for storage of two small trucks and equipment used in his contracting business.  He made his presentation but the membership voted to oppose that use although the vote was not unanimous.  The objections centered on the fact that it is a busy residential block with occupied houses on both sides of the now empty lot.

There was a moment of silence at the beginning of the meeting to commemorate the loss of four board members since November of 2010.  Thelma Young, Frances Clay, Kevin Walch and Steve McClintock all actively served to Civic.  Representative James Clay, son of Frances Clay, also said a few words.

Penny Colgan-Davis, Principal of Frankford Friends School, spoke about some exciting plans for the school.

Zoning hearings for the properties discussed at this meeting will be held at the Zoning Board of Adjustment offices at 1515 Arch Street on the 18th floor on Wednesday April 17th .  1708 Orthodox Street is scheduled for 4PM.  4731 Griscom is scheduled for 5PM.  The hearing is open to the public.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be held on May 2nd at 7PM at Aria Hospital.

 

 

 

 

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Frankford’s Oldest Building Nominated for Philadelphia Register of Historic Places

1548 Adams Avenue

1548 Adams Avenue

Through the work of the Historical Society of Frankford’s Preservation Committee, with the assistance of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia funded intern, Kristin Hagar, the nomination of 1548 Adams Avenue for designation on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places is being presented for a vote by the Philadelphia Historical Commission.  The nomination of 1548 Adams Avenue (believed to be the oldest house standing in Frankford) has been deemed “correct and complete”.  The Philadelphia Historical Commission will consider this nomination at two public meetings:
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Committee on Historic Designation
Wednesday, 29 May 2013 – 9:30am
Room 578 City Hall

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Regular Meeting
Friday, 14 June 2013 – 9:00am
Room 18-029, 1515 Arch Street (One Parkway Building)

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Both hearings are open to the public; the public is invited to speak (Philadelphia Historical Commission  215-686-7660).
Those interested in more background on this site – which appears in the Society’s latest publication (An Illustrated Walking Tour of Frankford) can purchase a copy of the booklet at the Society’s next program meeting on Tuesday, May 14th at 7:30pm.
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Meadow House Gets New Video Security System

At a residents meeting at Meadow House (4649 Paul St.) on March 21st, Jason Dawkins (Business Services/Special Projects/Zoning specialist for group meetingCouncilwoman for Maria Quiñones Sánchez) explained the features of the newly installed video surveillance system.

The entire perimeter of the building can now be monitored from the office at the entrance to the building which provides residents going in and out of the building an extra measure of security.  In addition, the system can be accessed by the police department should the need arise.

Residents were pleased with the installation of the system .  The grant for the system was made possible through the efforts of the Latino Partnership Initiative.

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Friends of Overington Build the Park

Diane Kunze spent 11 years looking out her front door over at the park across the street and thought somebody should really do something about that mess.  Overington Park, located at the corner of Leiper and Orthodox Streets in Frankford, didn’t seem to be maintained by the city and it’s most committed users were drug dealers, prostitutes, vagrants and school students playing hooky.  People were bringing mattresses into it.  It was not an inviting place to be and therefore, the only people using the park were the ones up to mischief.  It had a spiraling effect that as fewer people used the park, more and more mischief took place in it.

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Friends of Overington Park scout future shed locaton

“It’s such a Philadelphia thing to do.  Look out your front door and say ‘The city should really do something about that.” Kunze says.  But that was 10 years ago and the park’s turn around has been hard fought, but a success.  There is a presence there now.  Her group, the Friends of Overington Park, make every effort to let people know, who are looking for a place to hide, that this park is not going to be it.

They keep the ground free of debris with weekly cleaning days, and make it a mission to  keep the place inviting to neighboring schools, so they’ll bring the kids over.   For years, the park has been host to carolling at Christmas time, participated in every city service day, held multiple movie nights and annual Fall Festivals.

Continue reading Friends of Overington Build the Park

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Simpson Payground Closure Tops the Northwood Civic List

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Simpson Playground

At the Northwood Civic Association meeting on Tuesday, March 19th, residents expressed concern at the problems at the Simpson Playground at Orthodox and Castor Avenue.  The building has been closed for months surrounded by a fence.  Blocked by the fence are also the outdoor attractions for the little kids.  Joe Krause, President of the Civic has not been able to get any answers regarding when repairs to the building will be made.  Questions about the use of the swimming pool this summer were raised since there are no rest rooms now available.

In other news:

  • The owners of 5260 Castor Avenue who were seeking a variance for a beauty shop got a continuance.  The Civic sent of letter of opposition to that use for the property.
  • Bandit signs continue to be a plague on the neighborhood.  Residents are urged to report them to 311.
  • The cleanup at Northwood Park on Saturday, March 16th was not well attended but the weather was not good either.  Another attempt will be made in the future.
  • The Neighborhood Security Patrol is still on the job.
  • There were no crime issues for the Northwood Town Watch this month.
  • Zoning variance for construction of an adult day care facility at 4501 Castor Avenue has been approved.  It is located next to the newly built Dialysis facility.  The variance was needed for proximity to the creek.  This falls into the Juniata Park neighborhood but they consulted with the board of Northwood Civic who gave their approval.
Future site of a new Adult Day Care Center

Future site of a new Adult Day Care Center

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be held on April 16th at 7PM at St. James Lutheran Church at Castor Ave. and Pratt St.