Frankford Community Blog | Local News, Events, Community Resources
Former employees of the Budd Company may have a pension benefit waiting to be claimed even if you did not qualify at the time you left their employment. They are in Chapter 11 bankrupcy but the pension fund still is active and they recently sent this letter below to one former Frankford Budd employee.
If you have a pension available they are offering a lump sum payment for a limited time as an option. Call the number in the letter or go to the web site at this link.
The Frankford CDC is now conducting the first annual Capital Campaign to renovate their new office building located at 4667-69 Paul Street. They took over the old Daral building last May. At 4,100 square feet on 2 floors, it is big enough to house their offices on the second floor and additional leased office space and an internet café on the first floor.
Pictures below from the Construction Open House fundraiser on October 20th show the work is well underway.
The Daral building sits as a landmark on the northeast corner of Frankford Avenue and Paul Street, opposite SEPTA’s soon to be renovated Arrott Transportation Center for the Market/Frankford Elevated line. The renovation project will provide the building with 21st century technology but will also preserve a lot of the historical architectural features.
The building will retain the old block facade with tempered glass in a recessed entrance. The old terrazzo tiled entrance will be repaired as well as the stained glass above the entrance door transoms. The showcase windows will be preserved and used as a display for community and café programming. This high tech building will give FCDC a presence on Frankford Avenue and will serve as a catalyst for revitalization of a major intersection, while allowing the CDC to grow and build it’s capacity for the future.
This project is vital, as it is the first of several projects planned towards the goal of revitalizing the Frankford Avenue business district. The Frankford CDC is also working with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to build an interactive park next door to the building. They recently completed a streetscaping plan with the Community design collaborative in efforts to make the Avenue more welcoming to visitors.
Their mission cannot be sustained without the continued generosity of private donors. They have received a tremendous amount of support through local government and foundation funding, however those funds almost always require that they raise additional funds to complete the project. To date, the Frankford CDC has raised well over $500,000 from public and private sources for this project.
Your support is needed to help raise another $45,000 towards the goal of completing the first phase of the project by December 31, 2016. Come winter of 2017, donors will begin to see first hand the significant impact their contribution has made towards improving the area around the Arrott Transporation Center and the positive effect it will have on local businesses. Additionally, you’ll be recognized for your generosity as a capital campaign supporter on the Frankford CDC website and in the CDC Winter newsletter.
For more information about this project and information on how you can participate in helping the campaign to fund the final stage of the project, go to this link:
The Frankford High School Jr. ROTC participated in the Philadelphia 911 Remembrance Day Ceremony on Sept 11th at Fire Firemen’s Hall on 2nd Street. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney joined police and fire officials at the Memorial to the Fallen.
Frankford HS Jr. ROTC along with the Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel after flag folding ceremony are pictured above.
After that ceremony, the group marched to the Betsy Ross House at 239 Arch St. for a 10 a.m. memorial.
Lt Col Gary Siefert, Col Siegfried Honig (both of the.Veteran Guard 3rd Regiment, National Guard of Pa), Jay Ginsburg, Esquire – President, Philadelphia Flag Day Association, and Patricia Coyne Regent, Daughters of the American Revolution Flag House Chapter.
Unfortunately the positives the neighborhood upheld so respectfully seems overpowered by the negatives nowadays. The evident change in dynamic; many killings, parks not being safe, the avenue now filled with street fights, new faces, and togetherness that has turned into gossip, only emulates how outsiders visualize the neighborhood.
Believe it or not the neighborhood is still filled with many talents, young entrepreneurs and recognizable aspects but without the help of the community, Frankford will forever be “just another hood” in Philadelphia. One way to begin prevention is the unanimous mindset to put forth change. We may not get back the fruit man who would drive around yelling “straaaaawberries” through a blow horn or the Salvation Army reopened but a minor change can be a major step into a new direction.
The Frankford CDC (Community Development Corporation) is a non-profit corporation who is trying to raise money for finishing renovation on their building located on Paul Street. Not only are they guaranteeing a cleaner enhanced looking environment but a next door center for community activities, a fresh feel building for operation and community improvement.
Despite reaching out for contributions the company is reported to have “tremendous progression” and has made very important connections with established company’s and individuals who have the power to boost the neighborhood one step at a time.
If you want to take part in improving Frankford, CLICK THE LINK BELOW AND CONTRIBUTE! Update posts will be visible to monitor the money being made as well! Anything is a step closer to where we as community should be. Help the cause, don’t just wait to watch! Let’s build Frankford back to new.
