Inside This Issue:

• ZONING
• BLIGHTED HOMES
• PRETZEL PARK
• WALT EDENBORN DANCE
• CRESSON ST. TRAIN MURAL
• MINUTES...
• EVENTS
• EXECUTIVE BOARD

ZONING

229 ROXBOROUGH

Half the twin at 229 Roxborough has been collapsing over the last 10 years. Parts of the interior floors have fallen. The bay window is sagging dangerously and the porch is in shambles. Beyond the danger of collapse, the structure is causing damage to the attached twin. The neglected house is home to raccoons, possums and other animals. Neighbors have been struggling with L&I and the City for years to get something done. Several notices declaring the building dangerous were posted by the CIty. They determined the house too unsafe to attempt boarding it up. They could not find the owner, though taxes had been paid. With pressure from the neighbors, the city was pushing to get a court order to have the house leveled. At the August 13 court hearing a representative of the owner appeared and said they had a buyer for the property. The demolition is on hold and there is hope that the home will be rehabbed.

358-74 SHURS LANE

Developer Jim Baiman, B&B Real Estate, proposed converting the historic 3-story mill building at 358-74 Shurs Lane from commercial to residential. He proposed to convert the building to nine condos with eight indoor parking spaces. With the zoning hearing only a few days away, Manayunk Neighborhood Council arranged a meeting between Mr. Baiman and nearby residents. For the most part the neighbors are not opposed to residential use but feel that there are too many units and/or not enough parking. There are currently eight additional parking spaces across the street on property owned by Mr. Baiman, but he said property will be developed separately and will not be reserved as additional parking for the mill building. Mr. Baiman, represented by attorney Carl Primavera, agreed to continue the zoning hearing to allow more time to review their plans and reach an agreement with the neighbors.

4455 SILVERWOOD STREET

A zoning hearing is scheduled for September 3. Applicant Thomas Citro applied for a permit for the erection of a three story structure, maximum 35 ft high, for a single family dwelling. The house will have an interior one-car garage. The property is currently an empty lot.

LORING - EMPRESS THEATER

Loring Aluminum on Main Street is the site of the former Empress theater. Loring would like to move to a larger space and Carroll Contracting of Havorford, PA would like to restore the theater and add a restaurant. Loring planned to relocate to Parker and Umbria. That plan fell by the wayside but there is still hope that a new home for Loring can be found and the theater project can progress. Parking for the theater would be in the unused SEPTA lot just off Green Lane between Main and Cresson Streets.

BELLA TRATTORIA/ VEGA GRILL

Sapphire L.R. Inc., a.k.a. Bella Trattoria applied for a liquor license for 4137-41 Main Street, the former Vega Grill. In August of 2000, Manayunk Neighborhood Council, with Councilman Nutter's help, successfully opposed the expansion of the Vega Grill. The expansion was prohibited by the Main Street overlay and neighbors had complained about late night noise from the restaurant. The Vega Grill occupied 4139-4140 Main Street and was attempting to expand into 4141. MNC opposed this liquor license because it extends the existing license into the neighboring building (not part of the existing restaurant), the back patio (outdoor dining), and the sidewalk.

The new license also includes an amusement permit. We are researching what an amusement permit allows but we believe it will allow live entertainment or dancing. Without significant limits, the combination of an expanded facility, outdoor dining, and live music could create a serious hardship on the neighbors. The City, with Councilman Nutter's support, and the 5th District Police requested the LCB deny the license. We have not met with representatives of Sapphire and they have not approached us.

BLIGHTED HOMES

Mayor Street's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) has done much greatly appreciated work in our neighborhood MNC believes it is a program that offers hope for a better quality of life for all. We extend our support to the Anti-Blight Initiative and the efforts of NTI to make this a better city. A recent article in the Review mentioned a blighted house Mayor Street visited in our community in 2001. The Mayor actually visited two houses, one on Lawnton St. mentioned in the Review and a property on Burnside St. Two houses were visited with two entirely different outcomes. The Burnside St. property was rehabilitated and sold for $149,900. It is owner-occupied and pays $2,500.00 in property taxes. The house on Lawnton St. is still boarded up and unoccupied with the property taxes reduced to $500.00. Success of the Burnside property was due to help from city employees and local residents. MNC, along with other civics, is working to produce more of these success stories and stop the neglect of homes.

PRETZEL PARK

ELM TREES

Saturday, September 13, Elm Trees will stage their comeback in Manayunk. Introduced in the US in 1930, Dutch Elm Disease spread through North America, killing the majority of elm trees. With a grant from the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Manayunk Tree Tenders are bringing three American Liberty Elms to Pretzel Park. These trees have been selected and bred for natural disease resistance by the Elm Research Institute. They are being suppliedby the Johnny Elmseed project of the Peace Valley Nature Center in Doylestown.

A fourth Liberty Elm was purchased for the park as a memorial. The tree will be planted in loving memory of Thomas McHugh. The tree is donated by his wife, Elva McHugh, his children, Mary Turtle and husband Mark, John McHugh and wife Michele, Patricia McHugh, and his grandchildren, Heather Brennan and husband Chris, Rebecca Farrell, Daniel Farrell and Connor McHugh.

PLAYGROUND SURFACE

The new play surface in Pretzel Park broke down after less than one year. Several tiles split and many had gotten soft and spongy. A representative from the tile manufacturer examined the playground has agreed to replace all the tiles. The replacement is complete. The surface will remain under scrutiny to catch any problems before the warranty runs out.

DRINKING FOUNTAINS

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society approved another grant for Pretzel Park. The grant is for two drinking fountains and plumbing for the park. A drinking fountain will be installed near the playground. A dog and human drinking fountain will be located in the dog run. Meetings to plan the project will be scheduled in September. If you would like to be involved in this project, please contact Jane at 215-482-5528 or jane@shady.com.

BENCH RESTORATION

You may have noticed that the park benches are taking on a new look. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of David Nagel, along with Kevin Smith and Jane Glenn, the benches are getting a facelift. The old long benches are being cleaned and painted for the first time ever. The new benches are also being cleaned and painted after some graffiti damage to the original finish. Our next park cleanup day is Saturday, September 13. Many hands make light work!

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

Thanks to a Philadelphia Activities Fund grant, Manayunk Neighborhood Council sponsored two great concerts in Pretzel Park this summer. Wednesday, July 16, the Rick Gazda Band (The Greatest Polka Band on Earth) treated a crowd of over 100 polka fans of all ages to some amazing polka. This was followed, two weeks later, by the Fairmount Brass Quartet. Unfazed when the stage and sound system failed to show, they put on a great performance with numbers ranging from rag time to John Philip Sousa marches.

A big thanks to Karen Meyers for organizing these great events. This grant also funded the grand opening of the Pretzel Park playground last October. Jane Glenn has already lined up a grant for next summer. We look forward to more great park activities.

DINNER DANCE

A Community Affair Dinner Dance will be held on September 25, 2003 to honor 5th Police District Community Relations Officer Walter Edenborn and bid him farewell on his Retirement. Walt spent 35 years at the 5th Police District as Community Relations Officer.

The event will be held at D' Angelo's Catering, 5091 Umbria Street, Phila., PA 19127, Thursday, September 25, 2003. Cocktails will be served at a cash bar at 6:00 PM with dinner and presentations beginning at 7:00 PM A buffet dinner, a D.J. & band, and dancing will be provided for $27.00 per person. Dress is casual. For tickets or further information call 215-483-2950.

CRESSON TRAIN MURAL

The Cresson Street mural is done! Please check it out. It is a wonderful asset to our neighborhood and the train station. Local artist Ken Millington created a masterpiece for train enthusiasts and local residents. We are planning an event to officially acknowledge his work and thank the Mural Arts Program and the Councilman Nutter for making this project possible. Notice of the event will be posted at the train station.  

JUST A FEW MINUTES...

President Kevin Smith called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M.

The Recording Secretary, Karen Smith, was absent so there were no minutes to report.

Kevin introduced Bernie Strain from the Mayor's Office, Ray Jones from the Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI), and Paul Curran from the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. (PCPC).

Bernie Strain began by handing out two brochures, a Directory of Community Action Programs and The Good Neighborhood Golden Rules. He then presented a list of NTI projects completed in the 21st Ward. Most of the projects were cleaning vacant lots. Regarding the Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP), Bernie said Councilman Nutter can select the type of program for the community. Examples are requesting individual projects or complaints or having city employees walk the streets citing all violations. There are pros and cons to all programs and the community should define their own plan. The audience listed some concerns, graffiti, trash, and dead trees.

Paul Curran advised us to present reasonable programs such as cleaning lots, reporting dangerous buildings, and certifying historic buildings. He said we should build on what we have been doing. The biggest problem reported is rental units and conversions. Paul said the PCPC opposes conversions but needs participation by the civics at the Zoning Board to give it strength. We should ask Councilman Nutter to request legislation from the PCPC for a rental moratorium.

Ray Jones spoke about NTI. He explained NTI is about quality of life. They have cleaned 30,000 lots in the city and 175,000 cars were moved. NTI will spur growth by cleaning up the city. The question is how to better deliver services to us? Ray has a list of problems lots we submitted to him. NTI will review it and decide what they can do. They will report on the projects they cannot do. He may be able to get community service people to help. Ray gave out his phone number for the audience. He suggested we get involved with the Philadelphia More Beautiful program for Block Captains. Registered Block Captains receive information and assistance for their block.

Kevin resumed the meeting and Jane Glenn reported on correspondence. She announced that a grant for drinking fountains for Pretzel Park was submitted to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. A $450 grant from the Schuylkill Center for three elm trees for Pretzel Park was approved.

No problems during the Bike Race or Arts Festival were reported. Kevin noted that for the Bike Race, Silverwood should be barricaded before Maiden Street because cars get stuck at Silverwood and Levering.

The upcoming events in Pretzel Park were announced.

Mary Turtle asked MNC to write two letters for court cases on problem properties. The group approved letters for 229 Roxborough Ave and 4112 Pechin Street.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Jane Glenn, Corresponding Secretary (Sitting in for Karen Smith)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept 3, (Wed) 7:30 pm - MNC meeting at VI Rec Center

Sept 6: (Sat) 9 to 11:30 am - CRCA Recycling, Leverington Parking Lot

Sept 13: (Sat) 10am to 1 pm - Pretzel Park Tree Planting

Sept 20: (Sat) 9am to noon - RPCA Recycling, Ivy Ridge Train Station

Sept 24: (Wed) 6pm - Friends of Pretzel Park meeting & clean up

The Council Crier - August 2003
Executive Board
Kevin Smith, President
Charlie Hewins, Vice President
Mary Turtle, Treasurer
Karen Smith, Recording Secretary
Jane Glenn, Corresponding Sec.
Joyce Finnen, Trustee