Tag: The Bridge

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Frankford NAC Zoning Meets April 14th

Frankford NAC zoning meeting agenda for April 14th at 7 PM at 2nd Baptist Church, 1801 Meadow Street:
5103 Duffield Street- continued from last month. This property wants to change from a family daycare to a group daycare. Up to 12 children
5103 Duffield Street from Google Maps

5103 Duffield Street from Google Maps

1631 Haworth Street- Property owner is seeking a variance to have a place of worship on the first and keeping the second floor as a rental unit.
4623 Mulberry Street- Is seeking a variance to legalize a triplex already in existence..However, there are several code violations on it. No renters license, windows and doors are in need of repair.
4623 mulberry from Google Maps

4623 mulberry from Google Maps

The Bridge will also make a presentation on their request to add capacity to their facility on Adams Avenue.
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The Bridge at Northwood Civic Tuesday

Northwood Civic Association meeting is Tuesday the 15th. Michael Ogden from The Bridge will be discussing his plans for the expansion of the facility. It is important that we get plenty of feedback from residents.

Please bring a neighbor and spread the word about this important meeting. 7:00PM St. James Church at Castor and Pratt.

The Bridge is a nonprofit behavioral health treatment and youth opportunity program for adolescents and their families seeking to overcome substance abuse, mental health issues, truancy and other challenges. The Bridge includes a comprehensive continuum of services, accredited by the Joint Commission. The Bridges’ services include a residential substance abuse treatment program for 38 adolescent males, the only one in Philadelphia; an outpatient treatment program for people of all ages; a licensed private school; and the E3 Center West in West Philadelphia that helps out-of-school youth and youth returning from juvenile justice placements develop academic, vocational, and life skills. Since 1971, the Bridge has become a leader in the treatment of high-risk youth by helping more than 15,000 adolescents and families in the Philadelphia region.

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The Bridge Asks Northwood to Support Expansion

Joe Krause, President of the Northwood Civic Association told residents attending the meeting on February 16th that The Bridge, located on Adams Avenue, sent out a brief email to the effect that they would be seeking community support to expand the facility to accommodate an additional 35 residents.  They propose to use temporary modular units at first but will eventually want to build a permanent expansion.  In 2011 there was a great controversy over approval for the move of the Bridge into Northwood.

The Bridge from their web site:  The Bridge is a nonprofit behavioral health treatment and youth opportunity program for adolescents and their families seeking to overcome substance abuse, mental health issues, truancy and other challenges. The Bridge includes a comprehensive continuum of services, accredited by the Joint Commission. The Bridges’ services include a residential substance abuse treatment program for 38 adolescent males, the only one in Philadelphia; an outpatient treatment program for people of all ages; a licensed private school; and the E3Center West in West Philadelphia that helps out-of-school youth and youth returning from juvenile justice placements develop academic, vocational, and life skills. Since 1971, the Bridge has become a leader in the treatment of high-risk youth by helping more than 15,000 adolescents and families in the Philadelphia region.

Notice to residents will be given by the Civic when the Bridge makes a formal presentation so that as interested residents may attend the meeting.

Terri Heiser updated the group on the Castor Avenue project.  In the early Spring we should see work start.  In addition, Heiser is now taking a look at the problem of truck traffic at the intersection of Adams and Ramona.

Work at the old K Mart is being done.  Permits for interior work and new signage do not disclose the names of any future tenants.

Tom McAvoy reports that the No Truck Parking signs are up and that means no 18 wheelers may be parked at any time wherever there is one of those signs.  That includes in front of Frankford High School on the weekends.   You should call 911 to have them ticketed.

Several residents have reported men living out of their cars in the area of the String Theory School.  That is a potential problem and you should report it to 911.

Joe Krause is scheduled to attend a Conservatorship hearing to support the acquisition of 1301 Wakeling Street by a non profit organization that will then rehab it and sell it as a single family residence.

One resident complained about the ever growing number of dumpsters on Frankford High School property and how they are block the sidewalk.  Joe Krause will talk to the dumpster company and the school about cleaning up the mess.

The next Northwood Civic Association meeting will be held on March 15th at 7 PM at St. James Lutheran Church at Pratt Street and Castor Avenue.

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Councilman David Oh at the Northwood Civic

Councilman at Large David Oh made his case for support of a ballot question that would eliminate the requirement that elected officials be required to resign from office in order to run for another elected office.  Oh is sponsoring the amendment to the City Charter which must be approved in the election in May.  The issue was rejected by voters in 2007.  In Pennsylvania, only the city of Philadelphia, imposes this restriction.

In other business at the meeting where attendance was held down due to the wind and rain outside:david oh

Joe Krause had a tour of The Bridge which is now open.  The facility has moved from its location on Pine Road in Fox Chase to the newly built facility at 1100 Adams Avenue.  A future date will be announced when the public is invited to see the new facility.  The Bridge is a nonprofit behavioral health treatment and youth opportunity program for adolescents and their families seeking to overcome substance abuse, mental health issues, truancy and other challenges.

Work is temporarily halted the the Northwood Frankford Y because of a change in contractors.

Joe Krause and Tom McAvoy have been researching the ownership of the burned out garages on Rutland Street.   There is now way of contacting them and no taxes have been paid on the property.  The owner of the adjacent garage property has been very cooperative and would like to see the burned out shells demolished.

Questions about the ownership of the tennis courts at Harrison and Rutland has been researched in the past.  It appeared that a private owner had title, now records show the city has ownership.  This is part of Northwood Park which covers the block from Harrison to Castor to Foulkrod to Rutland.  Neighbors would like to see more care of the park and increased use.

There will be a meeting on Thursday, April 17th at 9 AM at Simpson playground, of the House Democratic Policy Committee Meeting on the subject of Recovery and boarding houses and the need for regulation.  Residents are encouraged to attend to voice your concerns.

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be on Tuesday, May 20th at 7 PM at St. James Lutheran Church at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street.

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Northwood Civic February Meeting

The meeting held on February 18th was well attended with 20 residents in the meeting room at St. James Lutheran Church.  The issues discussed:

  • The March 18th meeting will be candidates night.  The primary election will be held on May 20th and invitations are being sent to all candidates for office to attend the meeting to speak and answer questions.  There will be no debate between candidates since only one at a time will be in the meeting room.
  • Residents have voiced concern about the parking problems at Northwood Academy Charter School.  Joe Krause has been discussing the issue with the principal Amy Hollister.  They are working on a plan to utilize the parking lot (formerly CORA) to reduce congestion at drop off and pickup time.  She has been invited to speak at a future meeting.
  • Joe was scheduled to tour the site of the new Bridge facility on Adams Avenue on February 19th.  The Bridge is a nonprofit behavioral health treatment and youth opportunity program for adolescents and their families seeking to overcome substance abuse, mental health issues, truancy and other challenges. The facility appears to be nearing completion and the community will be notified when it will become operational.  The issue of approving the zoning variance for the facility was contentious with the Frankford Civic opposing it while the Northwood Civic approved.
  • The Kmart on Wyoming Avenue is closing which leaves a large vacant property on the edge of Northwood.  There is no indication of what may happen to the building at this point but the Civic will keep an eye on the situation.
  • Tom McAvoy discussed the Town Watch.  As the president, he is dependent on reports from residents about issues.  No patrolling is done by members.  Truck parking overnight on Northwood streets is generally prohibited and is under control for the most part.  Residents can contact Tom at nwtownwatch@hotmail.com.
  • Representative Clay spoke briefly on his proposed legislation to tax lottery winnings to fund public schools in the state.  He says he has gotten a lot of positive feedback from the public and fellow legislators about it.  More information will be available as it moves along the legislative process.

Some residents came with a list of possible rental properties in the Northwood deed restricted area.  Joe Krause took the information and will followup on the issues raised.  He noted that it can be difficult to prove use of a property is a commercial enterprise which is forbidden by the deed restriction.  Some may be used by other then the owner in situations that are legal.

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be on Tuesday, March 18th at 7PM at St. James Lutheran Church.