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Frankford Civic Meeting

The Frankford Civic meeting held tonight, was very well attended with about 30 people in the room.

There will be a SEPTA meeting at the Frankford Group Ministry building (4620 Griscom Street) on December 8th, to inform the community about the 7.5 million dollar rehabilitation of the Margaret-Orthodox El stop.  It was the first el stop rebuilt back in the 80’s and now they need to do it over again.  This time maybe it will be the right way.  See the community calendar for the details.

Rep. Payton has partnered with the Energy Coordinating Agency to offer a Weatherization Workshop in Frankford.   Weatherizing your home can reduce your heating bill dramatically, and provides a safer, warmer home for your family.  The Energy Coordinating Agency will show you how you can weatherize your home for little to no money.  They will also discuss assistance programs from the government that help pay for the cost of weatherizing your home.  See the community calendar for the details.  Please Call State Representative Tony Payton Jr’s Office at 215-744-7901 or email Simone Woods at swoods@pahouse.net if you plan to attend.

Zoning hearing at the ZBA for the conversion of 1522 and 1524 Church Street to multi family housing.  The community opposes the conversion and all concerned residents should attend the hearing to make sure the ZBA understands our position.

A contractor who owns the lot at 4205-07 Adams Avenue is seeking support for a zoning change to build a garage to store his equipment.  He came along IMG_3821croppedwith his architect to display his proposal.  He was advised to solicit support from the immediate neighbors adjacent to his property and to begin the application process.

It was anticipated that Anthony Bannister would appear to explain his group’s plan to purchase the now closed New Frankford Community Y property.   They have been in discussion with Senator Payton’s office as well as Councilperson Quinones Sanchez office.  No one from the group attended the meeting.  Reps from Sanchez and Payton’s office both said in the course of their meetings they had raised questions about the business plan and funding for the project. In addition,there is the issue of the sale of a non profit entity to a “for profit” corporation.   Barry Howell, president of the Northwood Civic was present and said that the Northwood Civic’s position at this point is to emphatically oppose the deal.

Good news to report. Somehow the long unmoving vehicle on Ruan Street that was discussed at last month’s meeting has been eliminated.  We’re not sure who deserves the credit for doing the right thing.

Next Frankford Civic meeting is January 7th.  Be sure all the details I forgot to report on NEastPhilly.com.

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Frankford Civic Association Meeting

Some additional details from the meeting held last Thursday at Aria Health.

  • It was confirmed by Jason Dawkins of Councilperson Quiñones-Sánchez office that the new owners of the Art Holiday intended to use it as an Adult Cabaret (strip joint).  They were told that it was a not an option.  Art Holiday in Frankford For RantWorkers are in there just about every day doing something.  We still do not know what their intentions are.
  • The only open zoning issue is 1522/24 church Street.  The owner has an application for conversion of the properties into two family residences.  The community opposes this conversion and the second zoning hearing is scheduled for December 9th.  The applicant failed to show at the first zoning hearing.
  • The Platinum Bar at Torresdale and Paul Streets has been closed.  It was the scene of two shootings this year.  Not much more you can say about that place except hope it does not come back.
  • Citizen complaint about an abandoned car that was reported to the city and is still sitting on the street for three months.  I have had fairly good luck with reporting cars like this but the picture is below.  As of today it still sits.  Tags expired.  Why should it take so long.  Please don’t tell us why things don’t get done.  As was pointed out if it was Soceity Hill we would not be having this discussion.

platinum bar ruan11xxa

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Friends of Overington Park

Report from Diane on the cleanup last Saturday, July 25th:

We had 17 people come out and weed and mulch the trees and flower beds in Overington Park.
They worked from 10 until 2, an extra hour. We had water and soft pretzel donated by Tony Paton and Maria Quinones Sanchez.
I think the water kept them going.  Of course there was a nice breeze blowing through the park that day.
We left the park looking beautiful. The seeds we planted in April are flowering, beside the shrubs and perennials .
It looks great after a little elbow grease. Even better was the camaraderie that we felt at the end of the day. We sat with our hats on and spoke with our neighbors about the park, and the work we just completed. As people left the park they strolled one more time by the flower beds in the sun.
It was a good day.
Thanks again for your part in making it happen! Diane Kunze, Friend of Overington Park

Thanks Diane and all the volunteers for making Overington park the gem that it is.

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What Does No More Mean?

I got an email from a reader about a sober house. Well I thought that sounded interesting so I poked around on the internet.

Sellers 1305c small

Penn 4440b small

1305 Sellers Street([1305 Sellers on BRT], [1305 Sellers on Google Maps]) and 4440 Penn Street( [4440 Penn on BRT], [4440 Penn on Google Maps]) are being advertised on Craigs list in PA and NJ as the Crossroads Sober Home.

william loew rss ads

william loew craigs list nj

I always laugh when the people in the rehab business and even our own politicians tell us that Frankford has all these recovery houses because this is where the drug users and drinkers live.  This is one blatant example of the fact that this owner is importing them for us.  They live in Frankford because these guys provide the services.  We pay a price so these guys can make a buck and yet they don’t even have the consideration to ask our opinion.  Remember the problem is not the people living in these houses.  The source of the problem is the owner of the property.

I guess this will be another case where the neighbors call the council office and express their concern and then nothing happens.  There is a lot of that going on.  That being the case we’re going to start keeping score.

We had the two at the corner of Church St. and Griscom.  So far that one is unresolved.  Now we have these two.  We’ll keep you updated on what happens with them.

If you would like to call Councilwoman:

7th District – Councilwoman Maria D. Quinones Sanchez

Maria Quinones Sanchez (D)
Room 592 City Hall, 19107
686-3448, 3449; fax: 686-1936
maria.q.sanchez@phila.gov