Tag: frankford civic association

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4728 Griscom Street Cleanup

Back on May 6th we posted about the Frankford Civic meeting and the complaints about the 4700 block of Griscom.  It did not take long before things started happening by way of the Frankford CDC cleaning up and sealing 4728 Griscom Street.  It had been an ongoing concern to the CDC (which owns the building) but what made it more of a problem was that a squatter had taken possession of that building.  Squatters are difficult to deal with but the opportunity presented itself and possession of the building was secured.

The alley between 4728 and the building next door (4732-34 Griscom) which is owned by the city was also cleaned.  The pictures below show what was done.  Now the challenge will be to keep it that way. We’re hoping some concerned residents will come to the PSA1 meeting on Tuesday May 22nd to talk to the police about the problems they are having on the block.

 

 

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Frankford Civic Hot Topic Was Drugs

The 4700 block of Griscom Street was on the agenda at the Frankford Civic meeting on May 3rd.

A long discussion on the issue of drug sales on the block involved what can be done to bring it back to a livable environment.  There are several vacant properties which have become home to squatters which are part of the problem.   Vacant buildings are attractive for stashing drugs.  Drug sales are rampant all day long with numerous out of state cars making stops long enough to complete their transactions. Residents are encouraged to go to the PSA1 meeting to meet with the police directly about this issue.  That meeting is scheduled for May 22nd at Aria Health at 7PM.

Also discussed was the lack of cooperation by SEPTA on controlling the people who lounge all day on their property at the foot of the Margaret-Orthodox El station.  It creates an environment that is hostile to the commuters who use the stop every day.

There were no new zoning issues to discuss.  Pete Specos recapped the status of zoning cases taken up at prior meetings.  The 15th District PDAC will be holding the annual Community Day on Saturday May22nd at Frankford and Cottman Avenues.

The next Frankford Civic Association meeting will be held on June 7th at Aria Health at 7PM.

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Frankford Civic Association Meeting 4/5/2012

The Frankford community is once again confronted by the issue of the property at 4691 Hawthorne Street which was formerly the T&T bar.  The T&T was the scene of the murder of Chris Spence last year and a new owner has taken over the property with the intention of opening a grocery store.  A zoning petition has been filed and therefore support from the Frankford Civic Association will be necessary for the use to be approved.  Because of community concerns, a community meeting is being planned which is tentatively scheduled for April 24th at the 2nd Baptist Church at 1801 Meadow Street.  The Civic will follow the will of the community as is determined at that meeting.  When we have a final schedule for the meeting we will publish it here and on the community calendar.

In other news at the meeting, zoning issues occupied the board for the entire night.  An application for an addition to the Love and Faith Church at 1680 Bridge Street was approved.  Application for a carport at 5117 Torresdale Avenue was not approved.  Application for a four family dwelling conversion at 2001 Bridge Street was not approved.

The application to sell beer at the Quickie Mart at Unity Street and Frankford Avenue was discussed by the board and members.  The owner made a presentation at a Civic meeting earlier this year and has moved forward with his application.  He has stated that he cannot continue to operate the business successfully without the additional revenue the beer sales would bring in.  Numerous take out beer outlets already exist in that area and members are concerned.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be on May 3rd at 7Pm at Aria Health.

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Frankford Civic Association Meeting 3/1/2012

Trash talk was on the agenda at the Frankford Civic meeting on Thursday.  Representatives from the Sanitation Division of the Department of Streets attended the meeting to explain the SWEEP program.

SWEEP is Streets & Walkways Education and Enforcement Program, the City-run program created to educate Philadelphia citizens about their responsibilities under the Sanitation Code. SWEEP enforces the law against violators through intensified street patrols by uniformed litter enforcement officers, computerized tracking of code violation notices, and speedy adjudication of violations. Through education and enforcement, SWEEP supports and enhances individual and community efforts to maintain a clean City.

People know that the Sanitation Enforcement Officers can give you a citation for violations.  Sometimes you will get what looks like a citation but says it is a warning.  That means you are off the hook that time but they will be back to check up on you.

When do you put out your trash?  Trash and recycling should be set out between 7:00 PM the night before collection day and 7:00 AM the day of collection. If you put it out early you can get a ticket.  If you do not recycle you may get a ticket.  If you let your trash blow all over the street you may get a ticket.

What Can I Recycle?

Metal:

Tin and aluminum cans, empty aerosol cans, empty paint cans

Glass:

Jars and bottles

Mixed Paper:

Newspaper, magazines, mail (junk and personal), phone books, food boxes (remove plastic liner), computer paper, flyers, wrapping paper (no foil or plastic wrap), soda and beer cartons (no food-soiled paper, please!)

Plastic Containers:

Recycle All Household Plastic Containers plus plastic tops and lids!

#1: Soda and water bottles, condiment and peanut butter jars, etc.

#2: Milk, water and juice jugs, detergents, shampoo bottles, dairy product containers, flower pots, some household cleaners

#3: Rigid plastic containers and juice bottles

#4: Plastic tubs and lids from butter, margarine or similar products

#5: Yogurt containers and deli trays

#6: Plastic cups, plates and to-go containers (clear, rigid #6 only, not styrofoam products)

#7: Many mixed plastic containers and plastic products

Cardboard:

Empty and flattened

Continue reading Frankford Civic Association Meeting 3/1/2012

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Frankford Civic Association Meeting 2/2/2012

Former T&T Bar

Mention of the T&T bar once again raised eyebrows at the Frankford Civic meeting on Thursday night.  Neighbors have been watching with concern as work has been going on at the now closed bar at Margaret and Hawthorne Streets. It has been not quite a year since young Christopher Spence lost his life there in a senseless shooting.   Jason Dawkins, Councilwoman Sanchez representative at the meeting assured everyone that the building was not ever going to open up as a bar again.  The building is for sale and the community will have input as to its future use.

In other news at the meeting, the representative of the owner of Torresdale Appliance and Furniture (4571 Torresdale Ave.) presented their zoning case.  The use of the building has changed and they are looking for support from the Civic.  They board voted unanimously to

Torresdale Appliances

support their application.

Stephanie Clymer made a presentation on behalf of the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership.  From Manny Citron of PhillyRising, they are working on a community garden or gardens in Frankford that will hopefully be available in the Spring.  From Edgardo Gonzalez of Tony Payton’s office, there is still interest from the The Center for Urban Theological Studiesin taking over the old Frankford Community Y building.  No decision has been made as yet.

The next Frankford Civic meeting will be on March 1st at 7PM at Aria Health.