Tag: frankford civic association

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Frankford Civic Association Meeting for February

At the Frankford Civic meeting on February 6th there were no zoning cases presented.  There are two pending issues that required a continuance and the owners will be requested to visit the next meeting.

Residents heard some positive news from Griscom Street.  After years of decay, 4728 Griscom has been sold to a Griscom Apartments LP with the intention of use for senior citizen housing.  It is also contemplated that 4732-34 Griscom (4 story historic building) will become part of that deal once some title problems are cleared up.

On the opposite corner, Pete Specos, president of the Civic Association, noted that a permit for a sit down restaurant has been granted to 4731 Griscom St.  The property owner had applied for a variance for a take out chicken store at that location last year.  Residents vocally protested and the application was withdrawn.  Construction is now going forward with the incarnation of the business.  Residents are very concerned about any business moving into that property that will attract drug users and dealers at all hours of the day and night.  They resolved that if this looks like the direction the business will take, protest will be carried on until the situation is corrected.  If necessary, they will take the pickets to the owner’s home.

The club at 4721 Oxford (formerly the State Store) was open for a private party the weekend of February 1st.  Since it has no license and numerous L&I violations, the police were notified and came to shut it down.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be held on March 6th at Aria Hospital at 7PM.

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Manny Citron at Frankford Civic

manny citron

Sanya and Manny at Overington Park

Philly Rising’s Manny Citron introduced his replacement at the Frankford Civic Association meeting on December 5th.  Sanya Brown, graduate of Temple University, has assumed Manny’s coordinator duties at PhillyRising. Manny is moving on to another position in the Philadelphia Managing Director’s office.

Manny has been a constant presence in Frankford at every event over the last two years.  He is a roll up your sleeves and get dirty, kind of guy that you need in PhillyRising and he leaves Frankford a better place.  We look forward to working with Sanya.

Other news at the meeting:

  • Several nuisance bars have been closed on the East side of Torresdale Avenue in the last two months much to the relieve of local residents.
  • Turning Points for Children is opening a local office at 4329 Griscom Street.  The entrance will be on the side where Family Dollar is on Frankford Avenue.  They are the DHS Community Umbrella Agency for the 15th police district.
  • The club at 4721 Oxford Avenue has been closed by L&I.  That is what the white sign with the red strips means on the door.
  • There is some hope that two buildings 4728, 32-34 Griscom, long vacant, may be turned to good use.  There are some legal hurdles that have to be overcome but it could happen and that will transform that intersection.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be held on January 9th, 2014.  This is one week later than usual due to the New Years holiday.

 

 

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Captain McCloskey at the Frankford Civic

Captain John McCloskey, commander of the 15th police district, spent almost the entire hour of the Frankford Civic association taking questions and giving frank answers.  The Town Hall meeting back on September 19th appears to have activated a lot of people.  There were 38 attending the meeting on Thursday, October 3rd which included many new folks.photo(1)

  • He apologized for the fact that there were no police at the recent PSA meeting.
  • Slow police response time for 911 calls is a reality which McCloskey says is the result of needing more cops.  7 new officers are due from the next graduating class which will help.  Lower priority goes to quality of life issues so sometimes you are going to wait quite a while before you see an officer.
  • Foot patrols have been cut back due to the lack of manpower.
  • Worth Street between Margaret and Orthodox is a hot spot that is on his list.  Drug activity is ongoing with many out of state cars coming to do business.
  • There has been some improvement on the 4700 block of Griscom due to recent arrests.
  • If you feel you have not bee treated properly by one of his officers, you should contact him directly.  He wants to know.

Some residents who met at the town hall and psa meetings are organizing together on common issues and to support the police.  The group may lobby for more police in the 15th, ask for more video cameras at crime locations, go to SEPTA and the city for better lighting under the el, find out why SEPTA police do not do more patrolling of the area around the el stops, have L&I inspectors go out on weekend inspections with the police of problem bars, etc.

Captain McCloskey says the best thing you can do to help the police is to supply information.  You identity will remain anonymous.  You can call the district at 215-686-3150.  Ask for Captain McCloskey.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be on November 7th at 7PM at Aria Hospital.

 

 

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Zoning Issues Absent at Frankford Civic

There were no zoning issues on the agenda at the Frankford Civic Association meeting on September 5th but the time was well spent in a question and answer period with State Representatives Brendan Boyle and James (Scoot) Clay.

Boyle is also a candidate for the democratic nomination for 13th Congressional district which is being vacated by Allyson Schwartz.  He spoke at length about his background and how he got to where he is at this point. What is driving him to seek a congressional seat after being in the state house for six years.  The highlight of his talk was the focus on economic opportunity for all as opposed to a system that favors one segment of our society to the exclusion of all others.

Clay talked up the upcoming Town Hall meeting on the recovery house issue in Frankford.  It is scheduled for September 19th at 6PM at Aria Hospital.  All interested neighbors are urged to attend.

The next Frankford Civic Association meeting will be held on Thursday, October 3rd at Aria Hospital.

 

 

 

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Frankford Civic OKs 5010 Cottage Street

About 15 residents attended the Frankford Civic Association meeting on July 11th at Aria Hospital.  Only one zoning issue was on the agenda but there was much discussion about other issues.IMG_0414

  • Frank Bennett represented the owner of 5010 Cottage Street who was seeking a variance for a home office.  The members voted to approve that application.  The office does not generate foot traffic as the business operations take place elsewhere.
  • The situation on 4835 Penn Street was discussed.  It has been vacant since last summer when all the tenants were evicted pending conversion to a recovery house.  Neighborhood opposition and zoning issues ended that proposed use and the owners have not come back to the Civic with another proposal.
  • There will be a public meeting at Lincoln High School on July 16th at 6PM to oppose the establishment of a methadone clinic at Frankford Avenue and Decatur Street in Holmesburg.   Although the clinic is not in Frankford, it does have local implications since the zoning application was rejected by the zoning board.  The applicant’s attorney then appealed the decision and it was reversed in Common Pleas Court.  To read more from the Northeast Times, follow this link.
  • The club on Oxford Avenue between Frankford Ave. and Griscom has been open on weekends for teens.  Residents are concerned that it is not suitable for that location and the club has no permits.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be held on August 1st at 7PM at Aria Hospital.