Frankford Community Blog | Local News, Events, Community Resources
Junior, Frank and Joe
Again this month, the Northwood Civic was out at the intersection of Adams Avenue and the Boulevard on a hot Saturday morning cleaning up that piece of property which is the gateway to Northwood.
Since the owner and the city choose to ignore it, Northwood volunteers rise to the occasion. Thanks to Frank Bennett, Joe Krause, Junior, Mary’s boyfriend and the Cedeño family for making this a better place to live.
The multi unit electrical service has been removed from 1131 Filmore Street in Northwood. We do not know what plants the owner has for the property. The Northwood Civic is moving this situation to a higher priority because of the threat it poses to the community.
Stop Work Order - 1131 Filmore St.
New multiple electric meter box
The 1100 block of Filmore was a nice quiet little spot until a new owner took over the property at 1131 and began rapidly turning the single family home into a multi family structure. Residents began calling everyone that could be of help. 311 took the complaints and L&I responded with a violation notice but work continued. Yesterday it came to the Northwood Civic Association’s attention and was on the agenda at last night’s meeting. Jason Dawkins, of the Councilwoman’s office was present. Today after waiting a reasonable amount of time, with the contractors still at work and fearing that new tenants were close to moving in, the residents of the block began calling 911.
Today at noon, inspector Bevenour issue a stop work order which said “has exceeded electric permit, must obtain building permit for work being performed”. The contractors stopped work and closed up for the day.
I asked them about the new electric meter box for 3 meters which has not been used as yet. They said that was put in for future use. This entire block is zoned for single family housing.
The story that he residents heard was that the new owner (John R. Fisher) plans to turn the house into a rooming house for six individuals. The current zoning would seem to make that impossible but the neighbors are keeping an eye on the situation. They would prefer that he finish the rehab and then resell it to a family.
The residents are mobilized and ready to picket when necessary. There are no boarding houses in Northwood.
Agenda:
Excel Academy located at Friend’s Hospital wants to add two mobile trailers for a library and teacher education.
Popeye’s wants to put a restaurant at the old Thrifty Scott building located in Juniata Plaza.
Update on 949 Foulkrod St.
Looking for ideas or assistance in having the car removed from the ditch located on the boulevard past Foulkrod. Car has been down in the creek for at least 10 years.
Possible vote to increase dues.
August 25 – clean up pf triangle at Adams and boulevard or other eyesores.
Next PSA 1 meeting will be held on August 15 at ARIA Hospital, 7:00 PM.
It was a packed house (about 70 in attendance) at the Northwood Civic meeting on Tuesday night, July 17th, when the members voted unanimously to take legal action against the owner of 949 Foulkrod Street for violation of the deed restriction against multi family residences. The board is seeking donations to the legal fund to finance the law suit.
A presentation by Harry Mearing of Neighborhood Security Patrol offers security patrol service to residents of Northwood for a monthly fee of $40 per household. Sgt. Al Revel speaking on behalf of Captain Frank Backmayer, 15th District Commander said that the service is legal but is neither encouraged nor discouraged by the police department. Clearly the police have reservations about the use of private security in this capacity.
There has been continued vandalism of the vacant property at 1142 Kenwyn. Board members had secured the property last month but vandals have found a way in again. Similar situation is developing at 5030 Oxford Avenue.
A representative from Organizing for America Pennsylvania handed out information on the new voter ID law. (See related article from the Inquirer here).
Deacon Lamont Purnell made a presentation on his plans for the property at 4834 Penn Street. (video here) His plan now calls for establishing a personal care boarding home for 24 residents with a variety of disabilities. You can view some of the video here. Discussion on the issue was thorough and the Deacon made every attempt to explain to the audience his plans. The audience was overwhelming against the use of the property as proposed.
The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be held on August 21st at 7PM at St. James Lutheran Church.
