m. - - - BILLS 020666, 020667, 020668, 020669, 020671, 020672, 020673, 020678, 020679, 020681, 020682, 020685, 020686. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY, Chair COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN MICHAEL NUTTER COUNCILMAN RICHARD MARIANO - - - V A R A L L O, Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (215) 561-2220 I N D E X BILL 020666 PAGE HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... RICHARD REDDING, City Planning Commission .. 13 BILL 020678 5 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... 19 RICHARD REDDING, City Planning Commission .. 20 BLANE STODDART, The Partnership CDC ........ 20 DIANNE WORMLEY, University City District ... 23 KATE STOVER, Spruce Hill Community Assoc, Sansom Street Community Coalition ..... 25 JANE SILVERMAN, Salvation Army ............. 27 BETTY REVIS, Walnut Hill Community Assoc. 29 BILL 020669 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... 31 RICHARD REDDING, City Planning Commission .. 35 ANDREW JEVREMOVIC, Octo Enterprises ........ 36 DAVID MCCLELLAN ............................ 40 CLAUDIA SHERON (ph), Point Breeze Development Coalition ................. 41 BILL 020686 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... 43 RICHARD REDDING, City Planning Commission .. 44 ROBERT ROSENTHAL, Westrum Development ...... 45 BILL 020668 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... 51 RICHARD REDDING, City Planning Commission .. 59 LOIS FERNANDEZ, ODUNDE ..................... 60 ALAN MANDEL, SOSNA ......................... 63 EVE LEWIS, SOSNA ........................... 67 PHILLIP MARA ............................... 69 EUGENE MACKEY GUY .......................... 70 ANTHONY MARTELLO ........................... 87 MS. CLAYTON ................................ 103 ANTHONY IACOBONE ........................... 108 QUAN MACK .................................. 110 BILL 020672 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... 113 BILL 020671 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority ..... 116 DAVID NAPTON, City Planning Commission ...... 116 KEN KNIGHT .................................. 118 3 INDEX (continued) BILL 020685 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... 121 DAVID NAPTON, City Planning Commission ...... 122 FLOYD ALSTON ................................ 123 JORDAN MOHAMMAD AKBAR ....................... 125 RICK SAUER, PACDC ........................... 128 BILL 020673 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... 139 DAVID NAPTON, City Planning Commission ...... 140 GERALD WASHINGTON ........................... 141 KEN KNIGHT, Mantua Trade Center ............. 145 COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL ............... 153 BILL 020667 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... 160 DAVID NAPTON, City Planning Commission ...... 161 BILL 020679 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority .... 163 DAVID NAPTON, City Planning Commission ...... 164 EVA GLADSTEIN, Phila. Empowerment Zone ...... 173 DARALIA RODRIGUEZ (ph) ...................... 184 MALGRAS VELAS (ph) .......................... 188 ROSE GRAY, APA ............................. 191 JERAMOS SALAS, JR. (ph), Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterpises .......... 192 TOM FORKIN, American Street Erie Avenue Business Association ................... 195 THOMAS J. CARBINE, ASEABA ................... 199 RON RAMSTEAD ................................ 202 JIM FLAHERTY, Kensington South NAC .......... 204 JAMES HARTLING, Urban Partners .............. 205 JORDAN MUHAMMAD AKBAR ....................... 208 EVA GLADSTEIN, Phila. Empowerment Zone ...... 209 BILL 020681 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority ..... 215 RICHARD REDDING, City Planning Commission ... 221 PATRICIA SMITH, Neighborhood Transformation . 223 ALFRED ESSANDOH, Habitat for Humanity ....... 224 REV. WILLIAM B. MOORE ....................... 225 STEVE KAUFMANN, Suesquehanna Seniors ........
226 SUSANNE STONE, Board of City Trusts ......... E. 230 JORDAN MUHAMMAD AKBAR ....................... 231 BILL 020682 HERBERT WETZEL, Redevelopment Authority ..... 237 RICHARD REDDING, City Planning Commission ... 246 PATRICIA SMITH, Neighborhood Transformation.. 253 4 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I apologize for the delay. Council Committee on Rules is now in session with a quorum consisting of Councilmember Nutter, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Kenny who is going to act as Chair, Councilmember Clarke, and Council President Verna. The first bill on the list for today is Bill No. 020666, which is an ordinance approving the 9th Amendment of the Redevelopment Proposal for the Eastwick Urban Renewal Area, being the area beginning at the point of intersection of the west side of Lindbergh Boulevard with the north side of 58th Street, including the 9th Amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan and the 1st Amendment to the Relocation Plan, which provides, inter alia, for a change of the land use and related controls for a 7.75 acre site, generally bounded by 73rd Street, 75th Street, Turnstone Place, Redwing Place, Meadowlark Place, Lapwing Place and Longspur Place, from residential and related reuse to recreational and related reuse and a change in the land use controls for the Mini-Town Center to permit senior rental apartments. 5 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666 Who's here to testify on behalf of the bill? Please take the witness chair and identify yourself for the record.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is Herbert Wetzel. I'm Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. Mr. Chairperson, with your permission, I'd like to do a little bit of an overview of how we got here today with the ordinances. 13
Under prior situations, the way land was assembled by the Redevelopment Authority was that requests would come in from a variety of sources, either from developers or the District Councilperson's office or from an operating department within the City of Philadelphia. One of the fundamental changes we wanted to make under NTI was to change the manner in which land assembly is conducted. And as you see today, there are 13 ordinances that total over 2,500 properties. And I'll describe a little bit about how we got here and how we will operate in the future. 6 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666 The first thing that we wanted to do is set up a regularized system for doing this kind of business. We created a form that was distributed in June to each District Councilperson. And that form is the form upon which we will accept applications for land assembly. The second sort of principle that we adopted is that we would only accept those forms and review those particular requests if they came from a District Councilperson's office. And in June, we delivered those forms to be completed and we received hundreds of them back, as you can imagine. And what we established was an Interagency Acquisition Review Team that included the Mayor's Office represented by NTI, the Commerce Department, the Planning Commission, the Redevelopment Authority, the Public Housing Authority, the Office of Housing and Community Development, and the Empowerment Zone. What we wanted to do is create a broad-based inter-governmental committee to review these acquisition lists. The committee started meeting in August. And in addition to having the meetings and sitting around the table, we actually 7 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666 had staff of the Commerce Department and OHCD go out on many of these requests to review -- for example, to make sure that all the lots that are listed as vacant lots are vacant lots, and if it's a vacant structure it's a vacant structure. We didn't want to proceed with an acquisition strategy and have those kinds of errors in there. We, obviously, did not want to condemn occupied structures if that wasn't the plan. This particular team met seven times. We were also highly interactive with District Councilpersons and their staffs during this process and concluded with a set of ordinances that you have in front of you today. This included meeting after the Interagency Review Team concluded its work, meeting with each District Councilperson to go over the recommendations of the Interagency Review Team. This was a real partnership between the Administration and Council to arrive at these. More importantly, this is the first of an annualized process in which we will be delivering ordinances twice a year for land assembly. This particular year, the bills were delivered in October and, obviously, we're having our hearing today. 8 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666 Declarations of Taking will be filed in February for land assembly that you will approve. In the spring we're going to have the same particular cycle, and it looks like what we would be doing right now is introducing and providing ordinances in March, hearings sometime in May, and then the filing of Declarations of Taking in July. And we anticipate this will be the regularized program that we will work with District Councilpersons during the interim period to define a set of takings, prepare ordinances, deliver them to Council, and proceed on a twice-a-year basis. So that is how we arrived at where we are today.
Thank you. You're going to now move to the specifics of the bill?
Just a couple overview questions. What is the total current acquisition budget for NTI, as we speak today?
The acquisition budget that was approved in the Year One Program Statement was, I believe, 14 million. 9 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666
And what percentage of the total acquisition budget do the bills before us represent today?
Thank you. What I would also request in the testimony from the Administration on each bill, if we could talk about the specifics of how many properties are being acquired for each bill so, as you testify, going forward you can give me the number of properties and how many relocations are necessary as a result of the suggested or requested takings. Also, if we could talk about -- and I'm sure part and parcel of the discussion will be which of these parcels of the bills are represented today actually have developers waiting to do work and they're lined up and ready to go and what price, if any, the developers will pay for the parcels they're going to ultimately acquire through this taking, and how many of the parcels we're dealing with today will be land banked, how many parcels we're taking are currently owned by the RDA. That's all I would like to do on a formatted basis so we have a 10 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666 coherent record for each bill as to those questions. At this point now, are there requests from Councilmembers as to what they would like to see in the testimony as you move forward, I would ask them to make them now. Councilman Nutter is not here; I'm sure he has a few. I just wanted to try to set up a format that we could get this information without having to ask the same question over and over again. Councilmember Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would also ask that the director provide information with respect to the funding cycles, not necessarily solely with the City, i.e., CDBG dollars, but also PHFA and any other particular NOFAs that may become available during the course of the year, because I'm assuming that our attempts to acquire land will be correlated with the funding sources that will be available fiscal year.
That is correct. Just to answer that question, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency has a twice a year application process for low income housing tax credits. And the 11 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666 way where it's going to be cycling acquisitions would be to be able to have site control for their March applications and for their October applications. So some of the condemnations that we're requesting today, properties would be made available for the March application period at PHFA. And obviously, the ones we do in the spring, we would have site control for the fall application period of PHFA. So we want to sort of time this process to take advantage of that particular resource.
And any other NOFAs that may come, because I know sometimes we don't know ahead of time. But if there's anything that potentially may be coming out of HUD, it would be helpful if you can provide that information. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. You will now proceed with testimony on 020666.
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, I'm here to speak in support of Bill 24 020666, which would approve the 9th Amending to the Redevelopment Proposal for the Eastwick Urban 12 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666 Renewal Area. The bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to change certain land use designations within the Eastwick Urban Renewal Plan. There are three parcels that will require a plan amendment. The existing land use for RDA Disposition Parcels No. 5 and No. 8 would be changed from residential to recreation to conform to zoning changes that were approved by City Council. These parcels will be disposed of to the City of Philadelphia Department of Recreation. Additionally, within the four-acre site generally situated in the rear of Island Avenue in the section of the Urban Renewal Plan pertaining to the Mini-Town Center would be revised to add as a permitted use "Apartments - Senior Rental." This change is necessary to ensure that the land use controls in the Urban Renewal Plan conform to the reuse proposal by the redeveloper, RGV Builders, Limited Liability Corporation. The aforementioned changes have been reviewed and approved by the Eastwick Project Area Committee. Also, this amendment was approved by the 13 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020666 City Planning Commission at its meeting on October 15, 2002. Mr. Chairperson and Members of the Committee, I respectfully request favorable consideration of Bill No. 020666 and would ask for the suspension of Council Rules to allow first reading on December 12, 2002. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Identify yourself for the record.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Madam President, and Members of the Committee. I'm Richard Redding. I'm Acting Director of Community Planning at the City Planning Commission. First of all, let me briefly say that the Planning Commission is pleased to be a part of the Interagency Acquisitions Team that's responsible for many of the bills before us today. Regarding this first bill, No. 020666, I'm here to testify on that bill. It involves changes in the proposed land use and also changes in the controls in Eastwick. The Planning Commission approved this at its Planning Commission meeting of October 15th, and I'm available to answer any questions. Thank you. 14 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678
All the apartments will be market rate? They're not being subsidized in any way, are they?
It is our understanding that these are market-rate rental housing, yes. And the need for the change is that Mini-Town Center is essentially a commercial site and so we need to allow for residential development there.
I don't recall how many apartments they intend to erect. Do you have knowledge of that?
I don't have the number, but if you would like, we could find out from the developer.
No, I have been briefed on it; I simply don't remember at this point in time. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Any other questions for these two witnesses? I also have listed Mr. Scott Mazo and Joe McQuillan. If they're here and would like to 15 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 testify on this bill -- they're not here? Is there anyone else here to testify on Bill 020666? Please come forward.
Actually, I should clarify that. My testimony that I prepared raises about four broader issues with regard to the acquisition process, so it's not with regard to the specific properties identified in this ordinance here. Do you want to finish this ordinance first and --
What I'd like to do, with all due respect, is to try to figure out a way to move some of the less controversial pieces through and then -- I'd like to be as short as possible, but I'm sure we're going spend a few hours here talking about a lot of this stuff. So I'd rather move some of the less controversial pieces through, so if you would be kind enough to wait, we'll call you back. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Okay.
Thank you. Anyone else to testify on Bill 020666? (No response.)
Seeing none, we will 16 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 now move to Bill No. 020678. This is an ordinance approving the Redevelopment Proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the 45th and Sansom Urban Renewal Area being the area generally bounded by Chestnut Street on the north, South 44th Street on the east, Walnut Street on the South and Farragut Street on the west; approving the Urban Renewal Plan and determining that such plan and redevelopment proposal conform to the general locality plan and make adequate provisions for individuals, business concerns and families who are displaced; determining the necessity for changes in and for zoning, streets, alleys, public ways, street patterns, location and relocation of the public utilities; determining that the Urban Renewal Plan and Redevelopment Proposal meet all non-discrimination requirements of Federal, State and local laws and the regulations and policies promulgated with respect thereto; declaring that certain expressly designated and provided for condemnation is not imminent with respect to the Project; and declaring the redevelopment undertakings in the Project to be 17 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 an important part of the City's program to remove and prevent the spread of urban blight. Pleas identify yourself for the record.
Mr. Chairperson, Members of the Committee, my name is Herbert Wetzel. I'm Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. I'm here to speak in support of Bill No. 020667 (sic), which would approve the redevelopment proposal for the Greenway Urban Renewal Area. This bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to acquire 42 properties, 35 vacant structures and 7 vacant lots, for the purposes of residential development. Neighborhood Restorations Limited Partnership, a developer of affordable housing has expressed an interest in acquiring these properties for a tax-credit rental project to serve low and moderate-income individuals. The acquisition will promote the elimination of blight and result in expanding housing opportunities for low and moderate-income individuals while restoring abandoned properties to the tax rolls. 18 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 This amendment was approved by the City Planning Commission at its meeting on October 12, 2002. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I respectfully request favorable consideration of Bill 020667 and would also ask for the suspension of Rules of Council to allow first reading on December 12, 2002.
Yes. Just to follow-up on your request. This is the -- I don't think this is the Greenway Urban Renewal Area, am I right?
Well, then I'll do my testimony over. I am sorry. I am out of order, Mr. Chairman.
You know what, I don't know if this was your fault or my fault. I read 020678 which is 45th and Sansom.
All right. My apologies. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, my name is Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. I'm here to speak in support Bill 10 No. 020678, which would approve the redevelopment proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the 45th and Sansom Urban Renewal Area. This bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to acquire eight vacant lots in order to eliminate blight and support a key NTI objective which is a preparation of land and making it available for future residential development. The properties to be acquired are detailed on the accompanying fact sheet. Mr. Chairperson and Members of the Committee, I respectfully request favorable consideration of Bill No. 020678, and would also ask the suspension of Council Rules to allow first reading on December 12, 2002. 20 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678
Thank you very much for your testimony. Why don't you identify yourself and give your testimony?
Good morning again. I'm Richard Redding, representing the City Plan Commission. The Planning Commission approved the 45th and Sansom Urban Renewal Area at its meeting in October 2002. Previously, the Planning Commission had established a new redevelopment area in the same area. And testifying on this bill, I'm here to testify in favor and I'm happy to answer any questions.
Are there any questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Seeing none, is Mr. Stoddart and Mr. Wingert in the room to testify? Please come forward. Good morning.
Good morning. Mr. Chairman, Madam President, Councilmembers and special guests, my name is Blane Stoddart. I'm the Executive Director of The Partnership CDC in West 21 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 Philadelphia. Thank you for giving The Partnership CDC the opportunity to provide comments on City Ordinance 020678, the Urban Renewal Area Plan for 45th and Sansom Street area. This area is in need of great revitalization and The Partnership CDC fully supports this ordinance. Over the past few years, we've been working with existing residents and various other stakeholders to come up with a strategy to stabilize this neighborhood. Despite our efforts, it's been a struggle to mitigate the problems with abandoned housing and drug trafficking in this area. Ever since the announcement of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative from the Mayor's Office, there's been momentum building towards revitalizing this area. If you recall, 45th and Sansom is where Mayor John street signed the NTI bill, kicking off one of the most important campaigns to eliminate and prevent the spread of blight in the history of the City of Philadelphia. With the support of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell who brought the Mayor out to 45th and Sansom, The Partnership CDC has proposed a plan to the City Planning Commission and the Redevelopment 22 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 Authority to revitalize the neighborhood affected by the 45th and Sansom Street Urban Renewal Area. Nearly 50 properties acquired using funds available through the NTI Program will be redeveloped into housing for homeownership. The Partnership CDC has already entered into agreement to purchase the first properties 9 privately for immediate development on the 4400 10 block of Sansom Street. Rehabilitation of these 20 11 properties is anticipated to begin in the spring of 12 2003. The Redevelopment Proposal offers nearly 47 13 additional properties for redevelopment and sale to 14 families of all income levels. The success and flow 15 of this project hinges greatly on the timely 16 acquisition and/or demolition of properties enlisted 17 in the Urban Renewal Plan. 18 As a major stakeholder in the community, 19 I offer the full support of The Partnership CDC for 20 this bill. I strongly urge passage by City Council and the Mayor, and I look forward to working with the Redevelopment Authority in implementing this plan. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much for your testimony. 23 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 Any questions for this witness? (No response.)
Seeing none, is there anyone else in the room to testify on this bill? Please come forward.
Mr. Chairman, Madam President, and Members of Council, my name is Dianne Louise Wormley, and I am the Director of Neighborhood Initiatives at the University City District. The District's mission is to build effective partnerships to maintain a clean and safe environment and to promote, plan, and advocate for University City's diverse urban community. As a major stakeholder, we have convened a group of people to meet informally for over a year to look at how each organization is working to improve our community. As we discussed our community, it became clear that Sansom Street, particularly from 44th to 46th, is central to all of our efforts, be they small stakeholders or large. For too long these blocks have suffered from benign neglect and have become a center of drug dealing and 24 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 crime. But rather than giving up, a core group of homeowners, neighbors, and stakeholders have developed a wonderful new playground. Over the years, many community members, institutional representatives, elected officials, and particularly homeowners on the blocks have stressed the need for comprehensive approach to dealing with these problems. The time has come to deal with the blighted properties and the neglect. The homeowners, community members, and stakeholders are anxious to see the revitalization of this area begin. Timely acquisition and demolition of the properties in the 45th and Sansom Redevelopment Area Plan are essential for the success of any revitalization effort. The properties have been identified. The Partnership CDC is willing to take the leadership development role. The University City District wholeheartedly supports the acquisition and demolition of the properties as the first crucial step towards revitalization of the Sansom Street area. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Any questions for this witness? 25 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 (No response.)
My name its Kate Stover, and I represent the Spruce Hill Community Association and the Sansom Street Community Coalition. I come here to voice strong support for The Partnership CDC's 45th and Sansom Urban Renewal Area Plan and the 45th and Sansom Redevelopment Area Plan. Our community has been working hard for five years to rejuvenate this area of Spruce Hill around 45th and Sansom streets. We have had long-term problems with crime, including robbery and homicides and rampant drug activity, abandoned housing, and neglectful landlords. We have coordinated with the Police Department and reduced crime significantly, rehabilitated a pivotal corner playground with the help of the Mural Arts Program and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell's office, organized clean-ups, tree plantings, brought neighbors, businesses, and neighborhood 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 organizations together. But one critical piece of this puzzle has always been missing: A formal organized plan to rehabilitate abandoned, decayed housing and to take control of the dilapidated housing owned by absentee landlords while reusing vacant lots where there are now covered with weeds and trash. The Partnership CDC brings our community this missing puzzle piece. They have worked hard to produce a viable housing program that will bring more residents and families back to this neglected area. We have incredible Victorian housing stock that needs to be used and lots of people who want to live in our neighborhood. Please help us reclaim these houses before it is too late and make them into homes. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Any questions for this witness? (No response.)
Seeing none, is there anyone else to testify on this bill? Please come forward. 27 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678
Good morning. My name is Jane Silverman. I'm the Program Director of the Salvation Army Faith and Emergency Relocation Program. It's located on the 4400 block of Walnut Street. Along with Kate, I've been a member of the Spruce Hill Community Civic Association and the Sansom Street over five years. We've worked diligently to revamp an abandoned lot into a tot lot filled with used equipment. With the help of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, we managed to install new equipment and new turf that will be dedicated this Thursday, and you're all invited to come at 2:00 for the ribbon cutting of Rainbow Park. It's been a pivotal change in the community. Sansom Street has been devastated by crime, violence, drugs, murders, just total abandonment and a lack of sensitivity to the community. The playground has acted as a core to revitalize the community and bring the neighbors back into a coalition to face the changes that need to occur. As someone who is committed to supporting and protecting my residents who are 28 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020678 homeless women and families, I find it appalling that we can't provide safer streets and more clear information about streets. For example, Moravian, that is between Sansom and Walnut, is constantly filled with drug dealing, prostitution, trash. We can't get an answer about whether or not it's a street or who owns it or whose responsible for it to make the necessary changes. We're totally in support of the CDC's move toward Sansom. It's the missing piece, like Kate said, in a puzzle that we've been trying to put together for five years. We've made tremendous strides in coalescing the neighborhood. We now need to do something with the properties that are abandoned. Thank you.
Thank you. Mr. Wetzel, did you testify as to the number of properties in any relocations?
You did? Okay, it's in the record. Anyone else to testify on this bill?
One last person, Mr. Chairman. 29 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669
Good morning. My name is Betty Revis, and I am President of the Walnut Hill Community Association. And we are in full support of Blane Stoddart's CDC initiative with this project. Walnut Hill has been involved with the CDC a number of years. The area that we are talking about is one of the worst blighted areas, I think, in the Walnut Hill and Spruce Hill community: Drugs, prostitution, run-down housing. It is one of those situations where you are afraid to drive through after dark. During the day, you can go through and you see people standing around selling drugs openly. So Walnut Hill is in full support of something being done to this blighted area. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Any questions for this witness? (No response.)
Thank you very much. 30 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 We'll now move to Bill No. 020669, which is an ordinance approving the 2nd Amendment of the Redevelopment Proposal for the Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by the southerly side of Washington Avenue on the north, the westerly side of Broad Street on the east, the northerly side of Moore Street on the south and the easterly side of 20th Street on the west, including the 2nd Amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan and the 1st Amendment to the Relocation Plan, which provides, inter alia, for the expansion of the western boundary of the Project Area from South 20th Street to South 25th Street and to the rear property lines on the west side of South Taylor Street between Reed Street and Tasker Street; a name change of the Urban Renewal Area from Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area to Point Breeze Urban Renewal Area; the additional land acquisition of approximately 41 properties for residential and related uses; the additional land acquisition of approximately 13 properties for commercial and related uses; the provision of certain relocation services, as required by law; a change of the land use and related controls for 2202 to 2238 Alter 31 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 Street to commercial and related uses and declaring that condemnation is not imminent with respect to the Project. Please identify yourself for the record.
Mr. Chairperson and Members of the Committee, my name is Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. I'm here to speak in support of Bill No. 020669, which would approve the 2nd Amendment of the Redevelopment Proposal for the Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area. This bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to expand and change the name of the Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area to the Point Breeze Urban Renewal Area. A total of 54 properties would be acquired under this bill. In addition, this bill would establish land uses consistent with the reuses proposed for the acquired properties. The boundary expansion and name change for the Point Breeze Urban Renewal Area will make it conform with the City Planning Commission's expanded Point Breeze Redevelopment Area. The current Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area is bounded on the north by Washington Avenue, on the east by South 32 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 Broad Street, on the south by Moore Street, and on the west by South 20th Street. This proposal would expand the westerly boundary out to South 25th Street and the rear property lines of the houses on the west side of South Taylor Street between Reed Street and Tasker Street. Forty-one properties, vacant lots, 19 9 vacant residential structures, and occupied 10 residential building would be acquired on the 2300 11 blocks of Cross Street and Greenwich Street for 12 future residential development. The Office of 13 Housing and Community Development and the Planning 14 Commission have worked with area residents to 15 develop a reuse plan that includes affordable 16 housing development and open space. This bill would 17 also establish the land use in this portion of the 18 Urban Renewal Area as "Residential and Related." 19 Thirteen properties: 3 vacant 20 buildings, 2212-2214 and 2216 and 2218 Alter Street; 21 and 10 vacant lots, 2220-2238, would be acquired to 22 support the expansion of Octo Enterprises. It's an 23 adjacent furniture business that recently relocated 24 to the Point Breeze neighborhood from Manayunk, 25 which is a real interesting relocation activity. 33 1 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 Octo Enterprises would expect to create approximately 30 jobs in association with this expansion. This bill would also establish a land use of commercial and related for the 2200 block of Alter Street to reflect this new activity. Mr. Chairperson and Members of the Committee, I respectfully request favorable consideration of Bill 020669 and would also ask the suspension of Council Rules to allow first reading on Thursday, December 12, 2002.
I suspect that if you make no mention of relocation, there aren't any.
There is one relocation. Ther's one occupied structure in the Greenwich Cross Street activity.
I don't know the answer to that, but I can find it out for you. But I think this is what -- you can correct me if I'm wrong. But I think this is what the residents in the neighborhood, working with your office and the Planning Commission, came up with. But we'll try to find the answer to that question for that for you. 34 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669
There's no other reason than just having the record clear as to if there is a relocation or if there isn't.
Thank you. Do you have any testimony to add? Any questions?
There is one vacant property on Greenwich Street and the owner is saying that he would like to rehab it. I think we can afford him the opportunity to do so within 14 months. 15
If he does not 17 agree to that -- and I think we ought to get 18 something in writing to that effect.
We have several options. If Council approves an ordinance such as this ordinance and then the Mayor signs it, it still takes a vote of the Redevelopment Authority Board on a Declaration of Taking and to file that. There are several options: One is in lieu of condemnation we can enter into a rehabilitation agreement with the 35 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 owner and give them a specific timetable. If they fail to follow that, we could come back and file a Declaration of Taking later on to enforce it. The other option is, you file the Declaration of Taking and then you revest title under conditions that they rehabilitate the property. So we have two choices that we can enter into. Even if you pass this bill, it doesn't require us to use our eminent domain powers.
Yes. I believe the gentleman may be here. And you would have to get a letter from him or prepare the letter and have him sign it.
Thank you very much. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning. I'm Richard Redding, representing the Planning Commission testifying on Bill No. 020669, in the Point Breeze 36 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 Urban Renewal Area. This involves acquisitions mostly on Cross Street where the Planning Commission performed a role in preparing a community plan for that section of Point Breeze. This bill also involves land use change on Alter Street. The Planning Commission approved it at its October meeting. And I'm available to answer any questions.
Thank you very much. Any questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Anyone else to testify on this bill? Please come forward.
Good morning. My name is Andrew Jevremovic. I'm the owner and President of Octo Enterprises. And our building takes up about half of Alter Street where the properties from 2212 to 2238 are located. All of the street was abandoned when we arrived there in August of 2000. And you can see by these garbage-filled pictures, that's what we came to. Our building and the rest of the properties had been abandoned for 15 years. The people we bought it from had it for five years, 37 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 never paid taxes, picked it up at sheriff's sale and left it the way it was, accumulating garbage. We came there, not to fight blight, but just to eliminate it; and we've done that. Our half of the street we've cleaned up. We've cleaned up the other half of the street as well. The properties in question, the two structures that are there, we've boarded up. We've kept them safe. We've removed dogs, people, a lot of garbage, and we intend to do the same thing with the rest of the street. You can see some photos, what we have proposed to do. There will be a wall there and not a chain link fence. We are an art-related business and we intend to have something that looks art-related there. We purchased the property August of 2000. By June of 2001, we were living in the building and operating our business there. We haven't wasted any time, and we don't intend to waste time with these properties. We intend to get right to it. A couple of the properties, the structures, if they're to be saved, they have to be saved very soon. So we intend to get right on 38 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 those. And since we made it our responsibility to keep the entire street clean, as it helps our business and it helps the quality of life for us, owning these properties would greatly help us in doing that. We need some of this space for parking. We'd like to expand our business, which is wholesale only right now, to also a retail business. Parking would be essential. It's an extremely narrow street with no parking. We've also fixed up part of the building -- it's rather large -- for rental spaces. And we have other businesses in the building now. We have a photographer, we have a design studio, and we have an artist who all rent space from us. The building will eventually have 11 rental spaces as well as a large showroom for the furniture business. One of the buildings we'd like to acquire would be a good workshop space for the business. It's got a cement floor, it's perfectly suited. And the lot's perfectly suited for, not only parking, but also we'd like to expand our business to a garden business. We have a partner 39 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 who is interested in helping us with that. And it would help facilitate all of those things. The last people who bought some of those properties at sheriff's sale never paid taxes, left the garbage there. We wish we had the money to buy it; we don't. Our business, we've taken our capital and we put it right into that street. And we've received some wonderful help from our Councilwoman and from other departments in the City. And we'd like to continue to do what we've been doing there.
Great. Thank you for your testimony and thank you for your vision and commitment to the City. I think you had a pretty nice story in the paper recently about your business.
He didn't say anything so he doesn't have to hide from me. (Laughter.)
Anyone else to 40 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 testimony on this bill? Please come forward.
Good morning. My name is David McClellan. I'm a citizen voter and a neighbor. I've lived in the neighborhood since 1978 and have watched it really plummet. When Andrew and River bought their building, it was a real hell hole. And I've watched one other furniture business that I dealt with which was Ellsworth Street move out to the Northeast precisely because the neighborhood was insupportable. To tell you the truth, my wife and I have also thought about moving. But to see somebody young with vision come in and literally single-handed clean up a neighborhood and keep it clean merely by vigilance, by attention, by calling the sanitation police, by prohibiting dog-fighting in the street, by stopping prostitution each morning literally by coming out on the street and saying, "Please stop this. I live here. I don't want you conducting your drug business or your prostitution on my street." That's precisely what Philadelphia needs: Young people with vision, with vigor. I'm wholeheartedly approving of this 41 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020669 ordinance to transfer the property to them. As a taxpayer and voter, I'd love to have people come in and I'd love to support them in doing this. Thank you.
And that will keep you in the City, will it not?
Yes. Actually, I moved to Philadelphia because I came to Drexel for graduate school and I never intended to live here. But I've grown to love the City, and I've bought and renovated my own house and I'd like to see other people do it. As a constituent of yours, Councilwoman Verna, I'm happy to be here, but I need help and I need people like Andrew and River to help me do that.
He's done a marvelous job; he really has. Thank you.
Good morning. My name is Claudia Sheron (ph), the President of the Point Breeze Development Coalition and the Executive Director of South Philadelphia Homes. I come here to support the new venture, and I pray that we get 42 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020686 ventures like River and Andrew because they've done an excellent job in the 2200 block of Alter Street. And we'd like to, you know, direct more people to come down into Point Breeze.
Claudia, I want to publically thank you for working so hard trying to help us form this NTI Program in Point Breeze. You've given us an awful lot of your time, effort, and energy, and I want you to know how much we appreciate it.
Seeing none, we will now move to Bill 020686, which is an ordinance 19 approving the redevelopment proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Brewerytown Urban Renewal Area being the area generally bounded by Oxford Street on the north, 30th Street on the east, Girard Avenue on the south, 33rd Street on the west and the Amtrak Railroad right-of-way on the 43 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020686 northwest; approving the Urban Renewal Plan and determining that such plan and redevelopment proposal conform to the general locality plan and make adequate provisions for individuals, business concerns and families who are displaced; determining the necessity for changes in and for zoning, streets, alleys, public ways, street patterns, location and relocation of public utilities; determining that the Urban Renewal Plan and Development Proposal meet all non-discrimination requirements of Federal, State, and local laws and the regulations and policies promulgated with respect thereto; declaring that certain expressly designated and provided for condemnation is not imminent with respect to the Project; and declaring the redevelopment undertakings in the Project to be an important part of the City's program to remove and prevent the spread of urban blight. Please identify yourself for the record.
Mr. Chairperson, Members of the Committee, my name is Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. I'm here to speak in support of Bill No. 020686, which would approve the 44 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020686 Redevelopment Proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Brewerytown Urban Renewal Area. A total properties, 12 vacant lots 6 and 5 vacant structures, Brewerytown Urban Renewal 7 Area. Westrum Development Company has expressed an 8 interest in acquiring these properties from 9 Redevelopment Authority for potential residential 10 and commercial redevelopment. 11 This amendment, which would result in 12 the enhancement of the community, was approved by 13 the Planning Commission at their meeting of October 14 15, 2002. 15 Mr. Chairperson and Members of the 16 Committee, I respectfully request favorable 17 consideration of Bill No. 020686 and would ask the suspension of Council Rules to allow first reading on December 12, 2002.
Thank you for your testimony. Please identify yourself.
Good morning. I'm Richard Redding representing the Planning Commission, testifying on Bill 020686, involving the 45 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020686 Redevelopment Proposal for Brewerytown Urban Renewal Area. The Planning Commission did approve this at the October meeting. And prior to that, the Planning Commission prepared a blight certification study and amendments of the Redevelopment Area Plan to facilitate this action. I'm here to answer any questions if you need me. Thank you.
Thank you much very for your testimony. Any questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Anyone else to testify on the bill? Please come forward.
Good morning, Mr. Chairperson, Members of the Committee. My name is Robert Rosenthal. I'm the Vice President and Director of Land Acquisition for Westrum Development Company. I'm here today to speak on behalf of Ordinance 020686. Westrum Development Company is a privately-held real estate development company 46 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020686 specializing in market-rate housing. Specifically, our focus going into the new millennium is to build market-rate houses in the City of Philadelphia. We have made quite an investment in the Brewerytown area that this ordinance is subject to and have acquired many properties at arms-length transaction, and the properties that are subject to this ordinance were ones that we were unable to purchase through an arms-length transaction. We, therefore, respectfully request that this ordinance be passed in order to obtain these properties, which are integral in creating the development and redevelopment of this area into up to 600 to 800 market-rate houses.
I apologize, Mr. Chairman. I was slightly distracted, so I missed 47 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020686 the tail-end of the gentleman's -- either his testimony or response to a question. Could you say what you said again, please?
I said that we've made many acquisitions in this area, and the 7 properties are integral for us in order to develop 8 additional houses, which could be as many as 600 to 9 800, not necessarily on these 17 properties, but in 10 relationship to the entire properties that we're 11 looking at. 12
Okay. Build as many 13 as you'd like. I was just trying to understand how 14 -- 15
Because that would be a very tall building. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Rosenthal, good morning. Could you clarify the specifics of the types the property? I think that may be one of the reasons. When you talk 48 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020686 about 800 properties traditionally, you're thinking about several acres. Can you talk about the specifics whereas some of the properties may be multiple-family units, properties like that; not to talk about the specific locations, but just the type of houses so people have a better sense of what you're talking about.
The type of housing that we would like to build is townhouses and the conversion of existing warehouse buildings into condominiums for units. So the property is vast, as you can see, and there would be a mix of uses based on the character of the neighborhood and the existing neighborhood that exists to blend it in with the residents that live there. We're not looking to build a high-rise. It's close to 12 to 14 acres that we've obtained site control of.
Just one question generally. I know you've had successful projects both in Councilmember Nutter's district and Councilmember O'Neill's district. And it's likely you will be able to obtain these 17 properties, but 49 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020686 would you be doing this -- obviously you've been doing the acquisition privately. Without the 4 properties, you would still be doing this kind of 5 development or planning to do this kind of 6 development? 7
Well, we believe in 8 order to develop in the City as we did in Councilman 9 Nutter's district as well as Councilman O'Neill's 10 that we need a large number. In both of those 11 districts, it amounted to 72 houses and they were 12 single family. 13 In Council President Verna's district, 14 we'll be redeveloping the Kapart (ph) housing site 15 into 220 homes. 16 In this neighborhood, we believe we need 17 large-scale housing to change the flair of the neighborhood to bring market rate to the area. And in order to do that, these 17 properties, although if you were to take them one each you couldn't put the number of houses, but they're puzzle in order to --
I couldn't give you an 50 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 answer to that question.
Just curiosity. Any other questions for this witness? (No response.)
Thank you. Bill No. 020668, which is an ordinance 15 approving the 13th Amendment of the Redevelopment Proposal for the South Central Urban Renewal Area, being the area beginning at the intersection of the southerly side of Washington Avenue projected and the easterly side of Delaware Avenue, including the 13th Amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan and the 12th Amendment to the Relocation Plan, which provides, inter alia, for the additional land acquisition of approximately properties for 24 residential and related uses; the provision of certain relocation services, as required by law; a 51 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 change of the land use and related controls for the north side of Washington Avenue between South Chadwick Street and South 19th Street from residential and related to commercial and related uses and declaring the condemnation is not imminent with respect to the Project. Please identify yourself for the record.
Mr. Chairperson and Members of the Committee, my name is Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. I'm here to speak in support of Bill No. 020668, which would approve the 13th Amendment of the Redevelopment Proposal for the South Central Urban Renewal Area. This bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to acquire properties to 18 support key NTI goals, eliminating blight, promoted 19 market-rate residential development and changing 20 land use to reflect existing conditions. 21 A total of four properties, two vacant 22 lots, one vacant building and one occupied building, 23 would be acquired for residential development by 24 Universal Community Homes in construction with SOSNA. The properties, which are located near South 52 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 17th Street and Carpenter Street, are integral to their plan to construct new ownership units for 4 sale to low and moderate-income families. 5 Three properties, all vacant lots 6 located at 2310-2314 Grays Ferry Avenue, would be 7 acquired for redevelopment as affordable senior 8 housing by ODUNDE. 9 Three properties, vacant lots, located 10 at 759 and 761 South 20th Street and 1907 Fitzwater 11 Street, would be acquired and redeveloped as open 12 space for adjacent property owners. 13 Fourteen properties would be acquired 14 for redevelopment as market-rate housing under a 15 plan developed by Universal Community Homes and 16 Fannie Mae for the Southwest Center City area. 17 Finally, the amendment would also revise 18 the proposed land use along the north side of 19 Washington Avenue between South Chadwick Street and 20 South 19th Street from Residential and Related" to 21 "Commercial and Related" to reflect existing 22 conditions. 23 Mr. Chairperson and Members of the 24 Committee, I respectfully request favorable consideration of Bill No. 020668 and would ask the 53 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 suspension of Council Rules to allow first reading on Thursday, December 12, 2002.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the record, I would like to state that my office will work closely with the RDA and the community to ensure that no takings will occur on properties where there are live development plans. We do understand that very clearly?
Any other questions for Mr. Wetzel? Did you understand? You looked puzzled.
No, I'm not puzzled. I think I understand the Councilwoman. It was similar to her previous question. If there's a live party who has a acquired a property or has a property that's wiling to rehabilitate that property --
Right, or in the process of 54 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 doing so, we might enter into a rehabilitation agreement to ensure that and withhold the eminent domain aspect of it pending their completion of the property. Am I correct in that?
Not to be too specific, but you said "we might." I think she said you will.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Martello is in the back. He owns a property in the area.
He's on the list to speak? Okay. He wanted to make sure that he's part of that rehabilitation agreement as well.
Any and all properties that are on the list, we will follow that procedure.
The experience, Councilman DiCicco, and his office worked with us in the Martin 55 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 Luther King taking, and I think we ended up with about properties being re-vested and 4 rehabilitated as a result of that. But I think the 5 good news is if the owner does really do it, there's 6 not an issue. But if the owner doesn't make the 7 repairs or doesn't rehabilitate it, we still have 8 that in our pocket. And if you so said move 9 forward, we could move forward. 10
Since this 11 list had been prepared, it's my understanding that 12 some of these properties may be in the process of 13 being sold. So we would certainly want that sale to go forward. Why would we take the property?
I think I received a fax from SOSNA that had a list of properties. Some of those were under active agreements of sale. I think the issue is whether or not they're included in the Declaration of Taking. And they do not have to be included in that if your office so requests that they not be included in that. I think what it does give us, though, is the hammer if somebody doesn't fix up their property, we can go back and use this power.
That's 56 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 entirely different. But I believe that if there's an opportunity for the properties to be sold at a far more market value than we would be taking it for, I think the City benefits.
Absolutely. And we will continue to work with your office as this moves forward.
And we will only file a Declaration of Taking on those properties that your office supports.
Thank you very much. Any other questions for Mr. Wetzel?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just two quick questions. One, in the part of your testimony where you make reference to Fannie Mae, can you tell me a little bit about that proposal? I'm intrigued by the Fannie Mae component of this. What exactly are they doing?
Fannie Mae has created a 57 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 number of partnerships around the United States in different cities. There's one I'm familiar with in Washington, D.C, around Howard University where they've partnered with a local non-profit to essentially redevelop an area. Essentially, Fannie Mae has chosen to partner with Universal Community Homes and bring whatever resources -- and I think that's in the process of being defined right now -- that Fannie Mae can to assist Universal in redeveloping that particular community.
I think part of it is financial. I think what Fannie Mae is in a position to do is to bring special mortgage products, for example, to bring some kind of maybe unique home improvement loans, to able to maybe lend more than the fair market value in a purchase rehab loan situation. But I think they're in the process of working through the variety of issues in terms of this relationship. But as you know, Fannie Mae is a huge corporation and has a lot of resources. And I know we're pressing them to do the maximum amount that they can do. But I think it's in the process 58 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 of negotiation right now. But they have been -- let me be clear about that. They have selected Universal as a partner and are actively working with them as a partner.
Are you aware as to whether or not there is any opportunity for other development entities to participate with Fannie Mae or in that same fashion or is it a situation where there's an exclusive designation?
Obviously, I cannot speak for Fannie, but I think what they want to do is engage in a specific relationship in a target area. Maybe after they've had success, look elsewhere. But I think what they want to do is concentrate their resources in one area.
Last question for the moment, and I know there will be other opportunities for questions, but the thought just occurs to me, I see the maps on the big boards over there continue to change. Mr. Brown is doing an excellent job keeping us informed as to what's going on. Are those available in a smaller scale, user-friendly size that we might actually be able to see each of the individual proposals as well as a 59 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 city-wide map?
Yes, we can do that. We will reproduce those for the Members of the Committee.
Okay. Just give it to the Chair and then everyone can get a copy.
Thank you very much. Please identify yourself and proceed.
Hello again, Mr. Chairman, Madam President, and Members of the Committee. I'm Richard Redding representing the Planning Commission testifying on Bill 020668. This involves the Redevelopment Proposal for South Central Urban Renewal Area, proposing acquisitions and proposing a change in land use along a portion of the Washington Avenue corridor. The Planning Commission approved it at its October meeting. And I can answer questions, if you'd like. Thank you.
Any questions for this witness? 60 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 (No response.)
Thank you very much. Ms. Fernandez, are you going to testify? I saw you moving towards the front.
Good morning. I'm Lois Fernandez, President of ODUNDE. ODUNDE has been around for 27 years. We're South Philadelphia all the way. Like Councilwoman Anna Verna who's been there lifelong, her father and my mother were politicians together. Jim Kenney, other politicians who lived lifelong South Philadelphia. That's the way we feel about South Philadelphia with ODUNDE, that we're there, we will be there. We come here today to ask for the Council's support in the bill for the acquisition of 2310, 12, 14 Grays Ferry Avenue. We want to fulfill a dream, a dream of building a congregate housing. We've bumped it down from assisted to congregate housing for senior citizens there in Grays Ferry right off of 23rd and South Street. The number of senior citizens in our area, like across this country, is growing. Our area has been undergoing gentrification for the past 40 years. Many of our elders can no longer afford 61 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 to stay in there. This Council has had people come in front of you talking about their taxes, and as Councilwoman Verna who has been supportive of us throughout our 27 years can attest to, we in South Central have fought that fight. What we got slapped with about years ago was a six-year equalization 8 plan. It's been a long, hard struggle there in 9 South Central with us, which we still call South 10 Philly. 11 I'm just asking you all to give this to 12 ODUNDE because we deserve it. We have paid our dues 13 there. We have given to this City a cultural 14 organization that is known not just across this 15 country, but throughout the world. ODUNDE wants to 16 move on to a higher ground by building this complex 17 for senior citizens called the Oshune Village (ph). 18 We intend for that to be such an attraction that it 19 will be a tourist attraction also for what we intend 20 to build there. We are not being emotional about it, but we know what our plans are. It will represent, truly, Philadelphia, what we plan to build there. At this time, our plans, which are subject to change, are 14 or 16 units for senior 62 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 housing on those three lots. We own the lot next to it, 2308, which we acquired in 1998. We got that right in the nick of time because, as most of you know, the property in our area has blown out of the roof. For properties across the street from where I live and Fitzwater Street to go 350,000 is criminal because our young people like my children cannot afford to buy in their own neighborhood. This is nothing new. I know, Jim, you can attest to that, those who live in Penns Port, Queens Village, they can attest to that. Young people cannot buy property. What we're saying is, we want to provide for those seniors to remain in our area who have been there. That part of South Philly is their life. Again, we ask you to support this bill, to extend to ODUNDE and to give us control of 2310, 12, 14 Grays Ferry Avenue.
Thank you very much. Any questions for Ms. Fernandez? (No response.)
Thank you very much 63 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 for your testimony. Would you like to identify yourself, please?
Good morning I'm Alan Mandel, I'm the Treasurer and Zoning Chair for SOSNA, South of South Neighborhood Association. SOSNA supports the efforts of ODUNDE to acquire properties at 2310, 12, and Grays Ferry Avenue. 10 One of the purposes of this acquisition is 11 affordable housing for seniors, and we believe that 12 this is one of the most important needs in our area. 13 Rents, sale prices, and real estate taxes have risen 14 at an alarming rate in the area, and senior citizens are one of the most vulnerable groups in the area. We are certain that when this senior citizen complex opens, there will be a long waiting list of applicants because the number of moderately priced rental units in the area has dwindled very quickly. In addition, we've also been talking to ODUNDE about a commercial anchor on the first floor of that senior citizen complex. And we've talked a little bit about doing a museum which would be named after W.E.B. Du Bois, who was a resident of our 64 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 neighborhood a hundred years ago. He was one of the first modern sociologists, and his book The Philadelphia Negro from a hundred years ago is still required reading in many sociology courses. We think that a Du Bois Museum for history and tourism on the first floor of this complex would do a great deal to strengthen and re-invigorate the 23rd and South Street Business District. Council President Verna was very instrumental in terms of the acquisition of the Royal Theater to help the business district on the eastern end of South Street. And we've got a weak business district on the western end as well, and we think a museum for history and tourism would be an improvement. And many of the empty stores there might be filled. Our neighborhood of South of South Street boasts a rich historical legacy from the Naval Home, which served as the first US Naval Academy before Annapolis, to key sites in African American history to architectural landmarks from a century ago. Our neighborhood can make a significant contribution to the tourist industry in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, the neighborhood South 65 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 of South Street has frequently been omitted from many tourist maps in Philadelphia, and we hope to correct that oversight. We hope that ODUNDE's museum and exhibit space on the first floor would present exhibits on key personalities from our area, such as Du Bois and also Marian Andersen, and we hope to showcase the cultural legacy of our area with an exhibit on South Street, which for many decades was the heart of the African American community in terms of commerce, culture, music, and entertainment. So please support this bill.
I want to thank you for your support through the years, too, Councilman Kenney.
ODUNDE has been in close 66 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 contact with Universal Company. Universal Company has offered their support on this because this is a project that we need support on and we need expertise on. We've also got support from Congressman Chaka Fattah who said that he will go into the federal funding next year for ODUNDE. We do not have hard numbers now, so we certainly cannot ask Chaka for X amount of money because we're not certain how much the project will cost us. But we have talked with Dwight Evans, our own State Representative Howard James, and of course we have the support of our Council President Anna Verna from the very beginning. So we just, again, would like to say to Council that we are getting ready for this project and we look for your full support and for the passing of the acquisition and control of these properties.
Thank you again. Thank you very much for your testimony. Are there others to testify on this bill? Please come forward. Good morning. 67 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668
Good morning Chairperson, Council President Verna and Members of the City Council. My name is Eve Lewis. I am the NAC Director of the South of South Neighborhood Association. SOSNA is the NAC or Neighborhood Advisory Committee for the Census Tracts 13, and 8 19 within the South Central Urban Renewal Area. We 9 have a contract with OHCD to provide NAC services in 10 our service area. 11 Generally speaking, SOSNA supports 12 condemnation as a means of eliminating blight only 13 where a public purpose is being served and only 14 where there does not exist a living owner with current plans to develop a property. The prospect of condemnation can be helpful in spurring owners to accelerate their plans of development. With respect to 2310, 2312, and 2314 Grays Ferry Avenue, we support the efforts of ODUNDE to acquire these properties with a goal of developing affordable senior citizen housing with a possible W.E. DuBois Museum for history and tourism on the first floor. We believe that this development will help to anchor and reinforce the business district around 23rd and South Streets and 68 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 provide quality affordable housing at the same time. With respect to 1702 and 1704 Carpenter Street and 1037 South 17th Street, we support condemnation for the 17th Street homeowner development, but we ask that 1000 South 17th Street be removed from the condemnation list because the property owner's daughters live upstairs above the closed bar. With respect to 705, 707 and 709 South 15th Street, this ground is currently a beautiful garden. SOSNA is working with Council President Verna's office to save gardens and open space in our neighborhood, and we oppose condemnation of these properties until the Gardens and Open Space Task Force has examined the matter. With respect to 1907 Fitzwater Street and 759 and 761 South 20th Street, we understand that the RDA has purchasers for this ground. With respect to all other properties, we support condemnation and acquisition by Universal Community Homes only if there is no living owner with current plans for development. Thank you so much.
Thank you very much 69 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668 for your testimony. Sir, would you like to testify?
Yes. I'm Phillip Mara, I'm the owner of 1630 and 1632 Bainbridge Street. These two lots adjoin my property. My taxes are paid on time.
My properties are under agreement, and these are the plans. The developer had to leave early. The neighborhood Zoning Committee has approved the plan, and the developer is awaiting the zoning application to be approved.
Yes. The properties are under agreement, and I'm requesting that the threat of condemnation and removal be taken away.
And they're going to be restored that way? 70 12/9/02 - RULES - BILL 020668