COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETING BEFORE THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON RULES - - - Room 696, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, 6/5/02, 10:30 a.m. - - - BILL 020253 - Creation of Ontario Urban Renewal Area BILL 020274 - Facilitate Tasker Homes redevelopment BILL 020278 - Held at request of sponsor BILL 020279 - Re American Street Industrial Corridor BILL 020282 - W. Parkside Lancaster Redevelpmt. Area BILL 020283 - Tech. amendments to R-5 Res. Districts BILL 020284 - Re East Poplar Urban Renewal Area BILL 020315 - Re South Central Urban Renewal Area BILL 020317 - Re Model Cities Urban Renewal BILL 020345 - Changing Phila. Zoning Maps to... BILL 020346 - " " " " " (Complete text of all ordinances attached hereto.) PRESENT: COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY, Vice Chair COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 6/5/02 RULES COMMITTEE MEETING - INDEX WITNESS BILL 020254 Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director, RDA........ Richard Redding, City Planning Commission...... Sam Cook, Committeeperson, Tioga-Nicetown...... Russell Bowden, Tioga-Nicetown Resident........ Leslie Archer, " " " ........ Gwen Williams, " " " ........ J. Vederman, Overbrook Investment Properties... Penoni Associates Rep. ........................ 29 8 9 BILL 020284 10 Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director, RDA........ 37 Richard Redding, City Planning Commission...... 38 11 R. Patterson, Esq., Counsel to Mosaica, Inc. 40 W. Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter 42 12 Reverend Martha A. Lange, Mt. Tabor AME Church 44 J. Matte, Program Facilitator, LLP Charter 45 13 D. Curtis, Parent of Children at LLP Charter... 47 Ruth Holland, Friends Neighborhood Guild....... 48 14 Students from LLP Charter School............... 50 G. Bowie, Block Captain, 10, 900 block, No. 6th 53 15 D. Collier, Friends Neighborhood Guild......... 55 BILL 020274 Thomas Chapman, City Planning Commission....... 61 BILL 020279 Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director, RDA........ 63 Richard Redding, City Planning Commission...... 65 M. Rousch, Kensington South Resident........... 66 Eva Gladstein, Philadelphia Empowerment Zone... 72 BILL 020282 Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director, RDA........ 75 Richard Redding, City Planning Commission...... 77 Parkside Avenue Resident....................... 79 3 6/5/02 RULES INDEX, con't. BILL 020315 Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director, RDA........ 81 Richard Redding, City Planning Commission...... 85 Terri Kennedy, South Philadelphia Resident..... 86 Jeff Brown, RDA Project Manager................ 88 Mitch Golden, Bella Vista Committeeman......... 96 V. Anastasia, Bella Vista United Civic Assoc. 101 G. Pastore, President, Bella Vista Town Watch 101 J. Bazuk, Bella Vista Resident................. 102 Dominic Lazarro, Bella Vista Resident.......... 104 Joe Raio, South Philadelphia Resident.......... 104 BILL 020317 Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director, RDA........ 123 Richard Redding, City Planning Commission...... 126 Norris Square Civic Association Rep. ......... 126 BILL 020345 Thomas Chapman, City Planning Commission....... 128 Albert Cantella................................ 130 Member, Board of Trustees, Holy Family College BILL 020346 Thomas Chapman, City Planning Commission....... 132 4 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253
The Council Committee on Rules now has a quorum: Council President Verna, Councilmember Nutter, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember DiCicco, and myself as vice chairman, Councilmember Kenny. We're here to hear testimony on a number of bills today. We'll try to be as quick as possible, and your cooperation in keeping discussion to a minimum in the room would be helpful in doing that. The first bill today we'll hear is Bill 13 No. 020253, which is an ordinance approving the redevelopment proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Ontario Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by West Westmoreland Street on the north, Broad Street on the east, West Clearfield Street on the south and 15th 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 5 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 changes in and for zoning streets, alleys, public ways, street patterns, location, and relocation of public utilities; determining that the urban renewal plan and the redevelopment proposal meet all nondiscrimination 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 imminent with respect to the project; and declaring the redevelopment undertakings on the project to be an important part of the City's program to remove and prevent the spread of urban blight. (Witness comes forward.)
Please identify yourself for the record. Councilmember Miller, do you have anything you'd like to say prior to testimony? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Miller.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd just like Councilmembers to know that this is a project that we truly support a 6 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 hundred percent. We've been working and talking about doing a project here probably for as long as I've been in Council, and that's seven years. So I'm really glad that we're scheduled today, and finally, we're going to have some movement and development of this blighted lot. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed.
My name is Herbert Wetzel, and I'm Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I'm here to speak in support of Bill No. 21 020253. This bill would authorize the creation of the Ontario Urban Renewal Area and the approval of the Ontario redevelopment proposal and the Ontario urban renewal plan for the Ontario Urban Renewal Area. 7 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 The urbn renewal proposal will allow for the development of new commercial, retail, and professional establishments in the area and will meet the needs of health services, education, the medical research industry, and existing residents. This bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to acquire 31 properties for two projects, and I will describe them. Overbrook Investment Properties -- and the developer is here today if Council would like to see the proposed development. Sixteen properties will be acquired on behalf Overbrook Investment Properties LLC and are located on the 3200 block of North Broad Street and will be combined with an additional twelve that have already been acquired. Overbrook proposes to build a mixed-use commercial facility. The acquisition cost is estimated to be $188,000, which will be paid for by Overbrook Investment Properties. Overbrook is entering into an non-assistance agreement with the Authority for the acquisition. The second project is sponsored by the Commerce Department, and it's on behalf of the 8 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 creation of a McDonald's Training Center. Fifteen properties are to be acquired on behalf of the Commerce Department and are located on the 3100 block of North Broad Street. The proposed project will include an office building and training center for a McDonald's franchise owner. The Authority has entered into funding and acquisition agreements with PIDC and the Commerce Department to support this project. The acquisition costs are estimated to be $1.07 million and will be paid for by the Commerce Department and PIDC. Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee, I respectfully request favorable consideration of Bill No. 020253 and would ask for the suspension of Council rules to allow for a first reading on June 6, 2002.
Thank you very much. Any questions for Mr. Wetzel? (No questions.)
Thank you. And good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of City Council.
My name is Richard Redding, the Acting Director of the Community Planning division at the City Planning Commission. I'm here today to testify on Bill No. 020253. This bill approves the redevelopment proposal and urban renewal plan for the Ontario Urban Renewal Area located in the vicinity of Broad and Ontario streets in North Philadelphia. The bill allows for acquisition and land assembly. The purpose is to facilitate new commercial development along Broad Street in the Tioga neighborhood adjacent to Temple University's sciences center. In accordance with the Planning Commission's previous approval of a redevelopment area plan for the same section, the Planning Commission approved this redevelopment proposal and urban renewal plan on April 9, 2002, and I'll be happy to answer any questions. 10 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 Thank you.
Thank you very much Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Seeing none, we thank you for your testimony. Is there anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
None? Thank you. (Some audience members express desire to testify.)
Oh, okay, all right. I just asked. I didn't see you. Could you gentlemen please relinquish the chair. Whoever's testifying, please come forward and take a seat. (Witnesses come forward.)
Whoever has the microphone can start if you would please identify yourself for the record. 11 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253
Okay. My name is Sam Cook, and I'm a committee person in the Tioga-Nicetown area, and I'm here to speak on behalf of the Ontario Urban Renewal zone project. Right now, we would like to touch base about the Overbrook Investment proposal for the 3200 block of Broad Street. The citizens, to my knowledge, is not 100 percent in harmony of having Overbrook Investments come up and build the project on the 3200 block of Broad Street 'cause we are concerned about being overtaxed real-estate-wise. This project was proposed and came to light, to our attention, April the 3rd, without having prior knowledge of them proposing this. So when they came out, they said they was representing someone by the name of Ryan White, okay? Prior to that, we hadn't had no knowledge of Mr. Ryan White's proposal. We questioned in the manner of how they went about ramming that down our throat. We was concerned about the senior citizens around in our area being overtaxed over the years. We feel like we are taxed to the ceiling now. We are scared that if this project goes 12 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 through, additional taxes will be placed on us. To my left here, I have a gentleman named Mr. Russell Bowden (ph), an outstanding civic member from my community; perhaps he might want to, you know, elaborate and talk a little bit about the project.
My name is Russell Bowden, and I'm a homeowner in that community for over 11 years. 12
Okay. Our community has 14 been demoralized for four decades with unregulated 15 housing. So far it's apartments on Broad Street at 16 one time. First it was fraternity houses, then it 17 was unregulated apartments. 18 And in our area, if you notice it, it's 19 surrounded by two state highways. On that state 20 highway, there were several apartment buildings 21 full of crime, unregulated apartment buildings. 22 These apartment buildings weren't owned by PHA at 23 that time or no one. It created a lot of crime in our community. Our community and homeowners has suffered dealer. 13 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 We have no idea on any direction that Miss Miller is going in or the plans for the future of our community. And as Miss Miller said a few months ago, we want to be in, we want to know. We have concerns. We don't want eminent domain to be placed upon the homeowners. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Councilmember Miller? Sir, just hold on. I'm sorry, do we have one more witness? I'm sorry, could one of you gentleman -- thank you. (Witnesses come forward.)
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record. and pull the microphone closer to you.
My name is Leslie Archer, and I'm also a resident on the 3200 block of North Carlyle Street. I'm not saying I'm opposed to this building being built, but our concerns have not 14 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 been answered. On April the 3rd, we were told that a meeting would be set up with our City Councilperson and with someone from Overbrook Investments. To this date, it has not been set up. My concerns are this: If this building is built, what type of lighting is going to be behind that building being my home is on the other side? How wide will the alleyway be? What type of security will they have? Where will the entrances and exits be for the parking lot being that or 12 so many of our homes on the end of our street have been purchased. Will the parking lot be on the corner of our street? Will that affect our play street for our children during the summertime being that our street is closed off for two months? These questions have not been answered. As far as the taxes, yes, we have been overtaxed. For properties that are only worth $25,000, we're paying almost $800 right now. Something is wrong, and it needs to be addressed, and our concerns have not been answered. So I would appreciate it if someone could at least answer those questions for us. Thank you. 15 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253
My name is Gwen Williams. I live in the 3200 block of North Sydenham Street. Five years ago, they built a senior citizen home next to my property. They hit my wall and damaged my building, and to this day, nobody has repaired my property. They left debris behind my house that's been back there; it's a mountain of debris off of 16th Street between Westmoreland and Allegheny. And nobody has made an attempt to clean it. We don't even know if it's asbestos back there because they took the building debris from the Allegheny Arms and the senior citizen building. It was the St. Joe's Boys Home, and I would like somebody to come out and take care of that before they start building again in my community. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Councilmember Miller. 16 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253
There's been a request that the representative of the developer testify, so please assume the witness table. (Witnesses come forward.)
Someone else can sit at the table if they'd like or have a seat here. Don't fight over it. (Laughter.)
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record. and proceed.
Good morning. I'm Jay Vederman, President of Overbrook Investment Properties LLC, which is a Pennsylvania limited liability, for the single purpose of carrying out redevelopment, the redevelopment project that is the subject of this hearing. Overbrook proposes to develop upon a portion of land within the Urban Ontario Redevelopment Area a maximum five-level, mixed-use commercial structure up to 180,000 square feet, with accommodations for professional and health services on the upper levels, retail rental space 17 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 at street level, and adjacent off-street parking. All aspects of the project will be designed to comply with relevant provisions of the American Disabilities Act. The project site, which is illustrated in Exhibit A, which you guys have my testimony, which has been submitted to Council --
Actually, I would suggest, sir, that you had made a move to the chart. Perhaps as Mr. Vederman testifies, you can point out the parcels.
Pull up that zoning map right there. The project site, which is illustrated in detail on the board there, is located in the 8th Councilmatic District and is bounded generally by the 3200 block of North Broad Street to the east, Westmoreland Street to the north, and the 3200 block of North Carlyle Street to the west, and Allegheny Avenue to the south, and includes 29 discrete properties variously zoned R9, R10, and C2. The entire site lies within an area certified as blighted and has been vacant for more 18 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 than a decade. In recent years, Overbrook has (indiscernible) responsibility for securing the site as a whole and clearing away illegally dumped trash and abandoned vehicles at its own expense. The project would unify and return the site to productive use and is intended to complement the extensive health sciences presence along the North Street corridor maintained by Temple University and its affiliates. The Ontario Urban Renewal Redevelopment Area plan, which was specifically amended to include the project, has been approved by the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. The RDA has submitted to Council this proposed resolution 18 designating Overbrook as and an Ontario Renewal Area redeveloper. Enabling legislation in the form of Bill No. 020253 has been introduced by Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, who represents the 8th Councilmatic District and supports the project and designation of Overbrook as developer, as evidenced by Councilwoman Miller's letters as of January 9, 19 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 2002 and April 1, 2002 addressed respectively to Jay Vederman and the City Planning Commission, attached here as Exhibit B, which is attached to my testimony, which you have. Upon passage of this bill and approval by the Mayor, implementation of the project will commence. Implementation. Implementation of the project will begin with the designation of Overbrook as an area redeveloper in the execution of a formal redevelopment agreement between Overbrook and the RDA, followed by land assembly and acquisition authorized in proposed Bill 020253. The company will take title by private sale to 13 of the 39 component lots, and the RDA will aquire the remaining 16 lots and convey them to Overbrook for consideration to be determined on the basis of industry valuation standards suitable to the circumstances. Overbrook has deposited approximately $152,000 with the RDA towards acquisition costs. Depending on the interpretation of traffic studies and certain other engineering and practical consideration of zoning variance related 20 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 to off-street parking, building height restrictions and access to the site from public streets may be necessary. It is expected that in the absence of any opposition or protest, and with the support and recommendations of the RDA and City Council representation for the district in which the site is located, such needed variances will be granted. Site clearance and construction will begin within three months of conveyance of title to the parcels acquired by the RDA after required permits and licenses have been obtained and any environmental impact issues have been addressed, and the entire project will completed to the satisfaction of the RDA within two years thereafter. The total project costs are estimated to be up to $20 million, of which 4 million represents the equity of Overbrook as the developer. Preliminary memoranda of the willingness to lend the balance of the acquisition of construction funds have been received from local banks and submitted to the RDA. Please note that all cost expenses of the project will be borne by Overbrook and that the 21 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 ultimately, the project will cost the taxpayers of Philadelphia nothing. Overbrook is well-qualified to carry out the project.
Its president, Jay Vederman, has extensive residential and commercial holdings in several states along the eastern seaboard.
Let me just stop you there for a moment, 'cause I think what may be helpful to the record is if -- you gentlemen, I'm sure, are familiar with the site as it exists today.
And perhaps it would be helpful to the people who have come here with some questions who live in the neighborhood if you would talk a little bit about what you envision the improvements to the neighborhood being, issues -- and you've heard some of the questions. Issues related to lighting, off-street parking, the removal of existing debris, how the project would interact with the neighbors, and what -- 22 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 Anytime there's change after a long period of time, there's a lot of skepticism and a lot of concern and fear, and I think that this is a good project, and obviously the Councilmember is supportive of it. But it would also be, I think, helpful to your new neighbors if you could explain a little bit about the improvements they're going to expect to see there. There's other issues of real estate tax potential increases, which we could deal with with the Tax Review Board and other things, but just the general look and feel of the neighborhood, what is expected to improve considering what's there now. I think that would be helpful too. I don't think we have any questions about Overbrook's capability or competence or, I guess, the merit of the project. I guess it's, what will your new neighbors experience?
I brought down some visual aids that, you know, I can briefly go through with you, and I brought some engineers down from Penoni (ph) Associates, an urban planner, and a traffic engineer, and we've done traffic studies and, you know, we've done urban studies. 23 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253
Okay. You're going to have to, I think, take that microphone off, and I hope it will be able to reach. And I think if we can turn that -- that's fine. Can the people who are here to testify from the neighborhood see the map at least? Okay, you can move it a little bit back on the left, I guess. That's fine. That's good. Thank you.
Currently, this is the site right here, which everybody can see. It sits on the southern end of Temple's health sciences campus. The property that I referred to earlier is what's in red and back here. And they are vacant properties, which we have blocking with concrete blocks in order to stop people from 24 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 parking and causing L&I problems. In this direct vicinity, there are close to 3,000 off-street parking spaces for the health sciences campus. Anything in green represents Temple buildings. All of this represents in grids Temple's parking lots. And blue is residential. So, I mean, residential has existed, you know, with Temple here, so it's not unusual to see these type of buildings go along Broad Street here. I'll walk you through the -- this is the actual site plan right here, with the different zoning classifications. What we're proposing to build is a 5-story building of approximately 178,000 square feet, up to the maximum, which has been approved by the City Planning Commission and the RDA, which will consist of mixed-use office on the upper floors and retail and food service on the lower floors.
We're in negotiation 25 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 with tenants, but I'm not in a position to sign any leases because I don't own the property.
Okay, I understand. Could you give us an idea of what maybe some of the types of --
Yeah. I have some plans here that I would be glad to go over with you. On the lower level -- this is a street entrance right here. On the lower level right here, we have the food court design, 'cause there's a lack of food service in the area and we'd like to fill the needs of the or 30,000 people that are 17 consistently coming in and coming out of the 18 neighborhood every day, plus the neighbors, you 19 know, will be able to utilize this also. 20 On the first floor, we're in preliminary negotiations with a bank, a sit-down restaurant, one of the nationals. The last sit-down restaurant up there was Fisher's, which closed a while back. So there isn't a place that one can go to sit down, unless they want to come 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 into Center City or go way out. We are talking to several national drugstores to go in there and maybe a small Starbucks-type operation on the first floor also. There will be a skylight going down to the food court with a 16-foot ceiling, you know, that will secure the area. We will provide security at the building for our tenants. And here's a light wall in the back that goes down. And, again, these are preliminary based on the feedback that we've gotten, you know, through our brokers and in dealing with tenants. And for the second through fifth floor, we're in negotiations with the dialysis center currently, and it's Temple's dialysis contractor, and they came to us 'cause they need to expand and they'd like to be within a block of the hospital, you know, for the demand. We're also dealing with the reproduction center as far as, you know, like a Kinko's-type operation.
It's good you explained that 'cause I wasn't sure what type of 27 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 reproduction you were talking -- about Xeroxing, okay.
And then these are the basic floor plates, and we really haven't spoken to specific medical groups for the top three floors for, you know, the third, fourth, and fifth. My traffic engineer and my urban planner will be glad to answer some questions for you guys.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Vederman, where is the parking in relationship to -- where is the parking in this plan? Is it a surface parking lot or is it multilevel?
Rich. If you could bring up SP-1, SP-1. We don't expect this to be a destination parking -- a destination facility. These people are already here; they're coming in and out of the neighborhood. We have mass transit on the neighborhood there, we have the SEPTA Broad 28 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 Street line right there. And in this area, there is already 2,971 off-street parking spaces, some employee-only and some, you know, pay parking lots. So currently -- and my traffic engineer would be glad to --
I'm just trying to get a sense of -- I understand what you're saying, that a lot of these people are already here.
But if you create office space, you're going to be hopefully bringing in new employees to those office spaces; is that correct? Or is this --
We believe that this is just going to enhance and increase Temple's -- enhance Temple's medical campus. I mean, this is not going to be a destination. Someone driving into town, they're already at Temple and we have several hundred off-street parking spaces right now, metered spaces that aren't being utilized.
So in your opinion, the retail components on the first floor of the restaurant, the drugstore, or whatever else may come, there's adequate parking? 29 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253
Yes. I mean, they're not going to drive to our building tocome to that specifically. We don't believe that and our traffic engineer believes that also.
Could we hear some testimony from Penoni on the traffic engineering and talk about maybe process you went through to determine that position that the developer's taken? PENONI REP.: My name is Brian (indiscernible) with Penoni Associates, and as Mr. Vederman mentioned, we have a great deal of experience in the traffi and transportation and parking issues. The question I heard was the exact location of the proposed parking lot. What is currently proposed is an off-street lot on what is effectively the corner of Westmoreland and Carlyle Street.
Could you point to that, sir, please. Do you know where that is? PENONI REP.: It's on the corner of Carlyle and Westmoreland, directly behind the building. The only access in and out will be provided to Westmoreland Street. 30 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253
How many spaces? PENONI REP.: Currently, there are 4 off-street spaces available in that lot. 5 As part of our observations to date, 6 we've looked at the existing parking operations in 7 the area. As Mr. Vederman mentioned, there's a 8 large number of existing parking structures and 9 parking lots, and within the immediate vicinity of 10 this site being one block to the north one block to 11 the south, etc., we had performed several 12 observations of how many empty parking spaces are 13 routinely available. 14
That area that was 15 just pointed to, where the 18- or 20-parking space 16 lot is, directly left of that, is that row -- are 17 they rowhouses? Is that residential? 18 PENONI REP.: That's correct.
So everything that looks kind of like the tooth look effect there are residential properties above that? PENONI REP.: Right now, yes.
The building looks great from what I can see in the plans. Are you doing any improvements to the streetscape in and 31 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 around the community going back where the residential properties are? Do you plan on doing anything? I mean, I don't -- do you plan on providing any streetscape improvements to the immediate residential community? I can't see what the streets are, but there are little streets back there and -- I mean, something that will complement your project I think you need to have the residential community... (Mr. Vederman confers off the record.)
Well, what I'm suggesting is -- and I don't know whether this has already taken place with the Councilwoman who represents the district, but you might want to talk to the neighbors on the same line that Councilman Kenney spoke to. When things are changing, things are different, people have a tendency to be concerned. So if you include some of those smaller streets that are behind your development in the 32 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 overall plan as far as streetscape, lighting, trees, planters, what have you, if that's something that they would like to see happen, you may want to do that as well, 'cause I think it only does -- it helps to enhance your project as well, and it gives something back to the community.
Absolutely. I mean, we're putting in -- you know, we're trying to improve the area over vacant land. I mean, as you guys may be aware of, this is in a renewal community, one of 40 in the United States that the federal government has designated that it wants developers to come in and revitalize this area.
And we are looking to build, you know, lighting, security. There's a 32-foot setback between our building and the properties behind.
And you want to do some things that are going to be aesthetically beneficial and pleasing to the people who live there.
And why I asked 33 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 about the parking is I thought you had a much larger area of parking, so you want to make sure that the lighting is not offensive to the residents, and you want to do some -- it looks to me as though you're going to do the right thing from that artist's rendition, that you're not going to put up a cyclone fence but you may put some of that -- well, it looks like wrought-iron but it's not, it's really aluminum decorative fencing.
Right. I mean, those are the little things that, I think, can go a long way with supporting the community and getting support from the community.
I just want to state that dialogue with the community will continue, issues and concerns will be addressed. Issues such as lighting, streetscape, curb cuts, traffic patterns, traffic safety, all of those are legitimate. And I would like to thank Mr. Bowden and Mr. Cook and Miss Archer and (indiscernible) 34 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020253 for coming down to testify. And, certainly, it has always been my office's goal to make sure that the community and the development become really good neighbors to each other and address those issues and do the things that we need to do in neighborhoods for improvement. And I just wanted to just make that statement at this time.
Thank you very much. Are there any additional questions for these witnesses? (No further questions.)
Seeing none, thank you very much for your testimony. Is there anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.) - - - 35 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284
We will now move to Bill No. 020284, which is an ordinance amending an ordinance approved December 24, 59, as amended, 5 which approved the redevelopment proposal of the 6 Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia 7 for the redevelopment of the East Poplar Urban 8 Redevelopment Area ("East Popular Urban Renewal 9 Area"), by approving the sixth amendment of the 10 redevelopment proposal and the urban renewal plan, 11 which provide, inter alia, for the additional land 12 acquisition of 12 additional properties for 13 semi-public institutional reuse for which 14 condemnation is determined not to be imminent, and 15 changing the proposed land use for 901-947 North 16 Marshall Street from commercial to semi-public 17 institutional reuse, all as contained in the sixth 18 amendment of the redevelopment proposal and the 19 sixth amendment to the urban redevelopment plan. Before I recognize Councilmember Clarke, I just want to let the children know in the room -- some look like they're dozing off like me -- that this is the bill that's dealing with your particular issue and the charter school, so if you want to pay attention, we'll get you out of 36 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 here as soon as we can. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Clarke.
Mr. Chairman, I'd just like to say first that I'd like to thank all of the participants. And in the many days of meetings and discussions about this early on in this process, there was some concerns about the potential use not only for this property that we talk about today, but the block in general and some of the surrounding areas. And as a result of that, there had been discussion with community members, a very inclusive process. People sat down, rolled up their sleeves, and worked out what we believe to be consensus, an understanding of what should happen. I think this actually will be a catalyst for the development of that area above and beyond what happens at this particular school. So I'd like to thank them and commend then for their very hard work, and I think that at 37 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 the end of the day, we'll be very proud as to what ultimately comes as a result of that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you very much. Please identify yourself for the record.
My name is Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am here to speak in support of Bill No. 020284, which approves the sixth amendment of the redevelopment proposal and the urban renewal plan of the East Poplar Urban Redevelopment Area ("East Poplar Urban Renewal Area"). This bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to acquire 12 properties and to change the proposed land use for 901-947 North Marshal Street from commercial to semi-public institutional reuse. The acquisition is being requested to facilitate the expansion of the Leadership Learning Partners Charter School. 38 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 The proposed expansion will include the construction of two new school buildings and ancillary parking. The project is estimated to cost $9 million, of which $538,000 will be acquired for aquisition. The acquisition funds for this project are sought from the City's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Program. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I respectfully request a favorable consideration of Bill No. 020284, and would ask the suspension of Council rules to allow for first reading on on June 6, 2002.
Thank you. For all bills today, the standing suspension request will be in effect 'cause we have to suspend everything today in order to do it by next week. Please identify yourself for the record.
Yes, good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
My name is Richard Redding, and I'm Acting Director, Community 39 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 Planning Division, at the City Planning Commission. I'd like to testify today on Bill No. 020284. The bill approves the sixth amended redevelopment proposal and the urban renewal plan for East Poplar Urban Renewal Area located in the vicinity of Seventh and Girard Avenues in North Philadelphia. The bill authorizes acquisition and land assembly in support of new institutional development, and it changes the proposed land use of 901-947 Marshal Street from commercial to semi-public institutional use. The Planning Commission approved this item on April 18, 2002. The purpose was to facilitate the eventual construction of a new charter school in the East Poplar section. Our approval was consistent with the earlier Planning Commission approval of a blight certification covering the same area. And I'd be happy to answer questions.
Thank you very much. Are there any questions for these witnesses? (No questions.) 40 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284
Thank you for your testimony. (Witness comes forward.)
My name is Ronald Patterson, and I'm a lawyer with Klehr Harrison here in Philadelphia, and I'm the attorney representing the developer Mosaica, Inc. and the charter school, Leadership Learning Center. As the two gentlemen had mentioned, the ultimate purpose of this bill is to allow the charter school to move from its present location at 22nd and Jefferson Streets, housing 400 children, to a permanent location here at Sixth and Poplar. Currently there is a temporary structure on site that would eventually house 200 children, but the total population of children at the site would be 600. And we're proposing to, after discussions with the community, to build a certain type of building and to have masonry facades along 41 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 the entire buildings to be built so that they fit in with the character of the neighborhood. We believe it will be an anchor for the community for future development. Most of the property is City-owned; there are few properties that are privately-owned, and that will be assembled by way of this bill. As Councilman Clarke mentioned, we did meet with the community several times, and I've handed up to Council a June 5, 2002 letter on my firm's letterhead just basically summarizing our support and position and the results of our discussions with the community that we would support future growth of this area. With that said, I would just like to have Dr. Walt Palmer make a brief statement with regard to the school.
Thank you. Would you please identify yourself for the record. 42 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284
I'm Dr. Walter Palmer, the founder of the Leadership Learning Partners Charter School and the chairman of the board. And I want to thank Councilman Clarke and the committee members as well as others who have participated in our efforts to try to acquire the property and build a new school. The Leadership Learning Partners Charter School is about two years old. The concept is some 30, 40 years old. The concept is based on the notion of teaching children from K, kindergarten, to eighth grade not only on leadership and character, but also with regard to social education. It is the only school in the country -- the only school in the country -- that trains children and teachers how to deal with social issues and how to do problem-solving. Every month, we take issues of racism, hunger, poverty, social deconstruction, disease, abuse of children, criminality, drug and alcohol abuse, and others, and literally get children to begin to think critically. Test scores are relevant but only in relationship to critical analysis. Reading, 43 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 writing, and arithmetic is only relevant if it's applicable to something that serves people immediately. And so to that extent, we have done very well. We are challenged by the notion that Marshals Street in North Philadelphia and other parts of North Philadelphia and Philadelphia have really decaying communities, and we see this as an opportunity for our school and our children to begin to engage in the community and to help to change some of the dynamics that there are there in that community. With that said, I'd like to invite Reverend Lange (ph), who is also in that community, to come forward, and I'd like to ask that Miss Matte (ph) from the school and Miss Nicholson (ph) come. (Witnesses come forward.)
Pastor Martha A. 44 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 Lange, pastor of the Mt. Tabor African Methodist Episcopal Church. We have been located at 961-72 North Seventh Street since 1988. And we are in support of the school. We have met with the community, and they are in agreement with having the school there. And the Mt. Tabor Church is interested in the two parking lots on North Seventh Street on the south side. We would like to remain as a parking lot, and on the north side, we're interested in putting a senior citizen facility to help with Ascension Manor I and Ascension Manor II. There is, at this time, no place no 15 place for seniors to have activities, exercise, or any other kind of activities. And also, that this project also be used for the community. And that is our interest.
Thank you very much for your testimony and for coming in. Please identify yourself. Yes, Doctor?
I just wanted to say there was someone else we had wanted to bring up from the community. We had these community meetings; they were at the request of Councilman Clarke and also 45 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 State Representative Thomas, Curtis Thomas. And there were several other people at those meetings that we had in an effort to try to get a cross- section of the community involved.
Yes. We have been working with the Friends Guild for a couple of years. We had anticipated in putting housing in that area, but because it would be all chopped up at this time, we are still looking in the future that this area be designated as a -- for homes instead of for commercial, and we will deal with that in the future, but that this land that's there not be used for anything else until the buildings that are there that are rented out by the State to the Nicoletti (ph) Foundation, that after their lease is up, that perhaps we can take another look at that property.
Good morning. My name is Jennifer Matte; I'm currently a program facilitator at the Leadership Learning Partners Charter School.
I started in the year 2000 as a founding teacher at the school. According to 46 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 our mission statement, we are to instill character, build leaders by partnering with the community. I respect the surrounding community and we welcome them into our community. I would also like to say -- I have some notes here.
This is a mission statement that I believe in. I'm a witness to students growing and changing as a result. Our Sixth Street annex now houses students 4th through 6th grade, with no cafeteria, no gymnasium, and we are growing out of these buildings. One school would benefit our mission statement and the community by welcoming them into our school. I don't want to miss anything, including outreach programs, cleaning up the neighborhood, bringing the community into our building for programs, and use of our facility. So it can only bring good things. Thank you.
Thank you. 47 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 Are there other witnesses?
I would like to also say that one of the buildings that the school will be acquiring to rebuild belongs to the Mt. Tabor Church. We had purchased that property to have a day care, but because the school is coming in, then we will relinquish that building to them.
My name is Dionne Curtis, and I am here as a representative. I am a parent and have two children at Leadership Learning Partners, and they have been there since the first year of inception, and I stand in support of Dr. Palmer's vision for expanding the school. My children -- we come from the West Philadelphia neighborhood, but we have chosen to be a part of this vision because of everything that it stands for. And I think that foundational learning is key, and I believe that what they are asking to 48 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 do will help not only my children but all of the children that are in the school, because everyone's partnering together, and these children and these teachers have developed a relationship that, if it's broken or if it's distorted in any way, it wouldn't be good. So we are looking to do this for futuristic purposes, knowing that once this happens, once the expansion happens, there's going to be a growth level. And we believe that once it touches the community, you'll just see great things happening. And we believe in the children and we believe that once it comes together, it will be a great thing.
Good afternoon. First of all, I would like to say thank you, Councilman Clarke, for everything.
I'm sorry, not to interrupt, but could you identify yourself.
I'm sorry. My name is Ruth Holland. I represent the community and the 49 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 Friends Neighborhood Guild. Again, I would like to thank Councilman Clarke for giving us the opportunity to work the situation out. At first, we were not for the school, not because because of the schooling, but what it would bring to the community. We were concerned about the remaining part of Marshall Street. There's a lot of blight, a lot of things going on on Marshall Street that creates a lot of problems in our area. Since that time, I am happy to say, we all met, we all came to agreement, we presented it to the Councilman, and we are hoping that the school, the community, Mt. Tabor, and the Friends Neighborhood Guild, we will be partners in having this vision come true and to make our community much better. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Are there any other witnesses?
The children -- I just want to let you know the children are here in support of the school. 50 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 (Children come forward.)
These children represent a cross-section of our children that are coming out of the public schools of Philadelphia. It's not a private school; it's a public school. Ninety percent of these children are on free and reduced lunch. They have the same problems that all of the children have across the City, but we have demonstrated time and time again that given the opportunity to learn, children of every calibur can learn. STUDENT 1: My name is Harley Reyes, and this school is very fun for me. And I enjoy music, Spanish, and gym. My teacher is great and I'm glad to be at the school.
Thank you. (Applause.) STUDENT 2: My name (indiscernible). I'm a 3rd grader at LLPCS. Thank you for hearing our requests of our school. Our school is good in a lot of ways. Our teachers and staff offer a good education. The building that we are in has broken windows, peeling paint, and even wooden floors, 51 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 (indiscernible) broken doors, and the rooms are very hot several times in the gym and classrooms. There are a lot of leaks in the ceiling and roof. And for all of this, we are paying thousands of dollars to lease the building from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with money that's better used for own new school, which can also be open for communities activities. Please consider letting us acquire this property to build a new school replacement building. Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
Thank you very much. (Applause.) STUDENT 3: Good morning.
Good morning. STUDENT 3: My name is (indiscernible), and I like my school because it helps me to learn about my ancestors; it also helps me to learn about leadership. Hopefully, with a new school, LLPCS will be able to have a gymnasium, a lunchroom, a 52 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 library, and auditorium without having to be split between two buildings. I also like the janitors in our school; thanks to them, our school is sharp, clean, and sparkling. I thank my teacher, Miss Nicholson, for helping us to learn lots of work that I didn't know about it until I came here. I also want to thank Mrs. Z., our teacher's assistant; she works with our class often and takes our class outside to have free time. I like the school a lot. Thank you, Mrs. Nicholson, Mrs. Z., Mr. Bright, Miss Hawkins, Dr. Palmer. Have a nice day. Thank you. (Applause.) STUDENT 4: Hi. My name is (indiscernible) Jackson, and I'm reading this paper on behalf of Pierre Jordan and Devon Walker. We wanted to know if we could have the land behind our school because we need it very badly. We need to have one whole big building instead of two different building places. Right now, we don't have a lunchroom or a gym room or very much resources like an auditorium. We heard that they want to use the area 53 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 for rich houses so people with money can move in. Instead of rich houses, the children need their education.
And, finally, I'd like to ask the chairman of the block association on Marshall Street, Miss Bowie (ph) if she would make a comment.
Thank you. Ma'am, would you please come forward. (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning. My name is Gwendolyn Bowie, and I am a block captain for the 10 and 900 block of the North Sixth Street. The community has met, and we will continue to meet, on the issues of housing and the school. My neighborhood wants the school. They also want the housing as well as for obvious reasons, but we have agreed to work with the school so that all parties involved can meet, come to a viable solution, and make this work for the entire community. 54 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 Thank you.
You're welcome. Are there any questions for any of these witnesses? (No questions.)
Seeing none, I just wanted to congratulate first the parents and the teachers of the school. If looks say anything, these children look wonderful. They've been very well-behaved, they're extremely well-spoken. And I'd also like to thank you, Doctor, for influence in this whole movement.
I myself serve on a charter board -- partly because of your influence and guidance.
And the work that you have done in this particular area of educating 55 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 our kids, it's priceless, the work you've done. And when you look at all of the problems we're having in the public school system now and when you see this kind of operation -- cooperation with both educators, neighbors, and these kids -- it's a great project, and I want to congratulate everyone and thank you for coming today. Thank you.
One other -- I'm sorry, do you have another witness? Please. (Witnesses come forward.)
Hello. I'm Denise Collier representing Friends Neighborhood Guild, and I guess you know that we have had the situation where the community has been meeting with the school. I would just like to read a letter that was prepared by the Friends in response to our latest meeting. "The president of the guild, Mt. Tabor AME Church, and our community representatives involved with the negotiations with the Leadership 56 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 Learning Charter School join in the letter of agreement regarding the assemblage of land for the Leadership Learning Charter School and the fortunate development of Marshall Street. The following understanding and goals were reached on June 3rd. "1. Leadership Learning Charter School, with the community, will support the concept of a redevelopment plan. The block, bordered by Sixth Street, Marshall Street, Seventh Street, and Girard Avenue, to ensure that future development in addition to the school will be residential, with perhaps C-2 commercial uses on the corners. To this end, the school and community would support a request to the Planning Commission to draft a zoning change for this block to a residential zoning designation. The churches and the library would remain permitted uses. "2. The school joins with the community in requesting that the Department of Public Welfare not renew its leases for the buildings it currently occupies on Marshall Street when the leases are to expire or have the option of being renewed. 57 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 "3. The school and community will request enforcement of the criminal and nuisance laws, will interact with the Police District 26, and will have the drug-free area signs posted in the vicinity of the school. "4. The school and community will request that the Redevelopment Authority identify and demolish the vacant buildings that exist on Marshall and Poplar Streets. For such properties not owned by the RDA, the school and community will work with the Department of Licenses and Inspections to identify and demolish such buildings. "5. The school joins with the community's requests that the RDA convert the existing and future vacant lots to green space and maintain the property as green space until they can be developed." And this is the last point that we agreed on: "6. The school supports Mt. Tabor AME Church's desire to continue to use the two parking lots on Marshall Street. The school supports, and has no objection to, the assemblage and transfer of 58 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 these parcels to the church at some point if the church so requests." I'm not sure if the school also mentioned about the redesign of the proposed permanent building and that the square footage was reduced to enable more space to be allowed around the building. And we have discussed how we can work together, and that's what we're trying very hard to do, even though we do want to integrate housing as well as the school.
I think that concludes the witness list on this. We'll take a couple minutes to allow -- it's a large group -- to allow everybody to leave, and then we'll continue the hearing in a few minutes. Thank you for coming in.
Thank you. 59 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020284 And love your children. (LLP Charter School children and advocates leave chamber.) - - - 60 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020274
We will now continue with the Rules Committee hearing. The next bill for consideration is Bill No. 020274, which is an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Morris Street, 32nd Street, Tasker Avenue, 30th Street, Morris Street, 29th Street, New Hope Street, and Vare Avenue. Who's testifying, anyone? (Witness comes forward.)
I just wanted to make one announcement. Bill No. 020278 will be held at the request of the sponsor, so there will be no testimony today on that bill. Just so anyone knows, it's a rezoning of an area from Tacony Creek, I-95 Delaware Expressway, Rhawn Street, and the Delaware River, and there will be no testimony on that bill today because it's being held at the request of the sponsor. And please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Rules Committee. 61 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020274
My name is Thomas Chapman, and I am the Director of the Development Planning Division of the City Planning Commission. I'm here today to testify on Bill No. 020274. This bill was introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell for Council President Verna on May 2, 2002. This bill concerns the rezoning of the area bounded by Morris Street, 32nd Street, Tasker, 30th Street, Morris Street, 29th Street, New Hope Street, and Vare Avenue. The purpose of this rezoning is to facilitate the redevelopment of the Tasker Homes site. The current plans call for the construction of 554 single and multifamily dwellings, a senior citizens housing facility, and retail development. Currently, this 40-acre is zoned partly R9, partly R10-A, partly R10, and partly C2 commercial. This property is proposed to be rezoned to partly R10-A, partly R10, partly R12, and partly C1 commercial to reflect the current proposed development. The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the rezoning bill preliminary plat and 62 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020274 subdivision and a number of street changes at its meeting of May 19, 2002. I'd be happy to answer any questions from the committee.
Thank you very much. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Seeing none, we will move on to the next bill. - - - 63 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279
Bill 020279, an ordinance approving the redevelopment proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the American Street Industrial Corridor Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Lehigh Avenue, Berks Street, and Montgomery Avenue on the north, by Second Street, Phillips Street on the east, by Girard Avenue, Oxford Street, and Jefferson Street on the south, and by Germantown Avenue and Sixth Street and Third Street on the west. (Witness comes forward.)
My name is Herbert Wetzel, and I'm Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I'm here to speak in support of Bill No. 21 020279. This bill would authorize the creation of the American Street Industrial Corridor Urban Renewal Area. The approval of the American Street Industrial Corridor redevelopment proposal and the American Street Industrial Corridor Urban Renewal 64 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 plan for the North Philadelphia Redevelopment Area. The proposed urban renewal area is located within the American Street Empowerment Zone. Historically, industrial, residential, and commercial properties have coexisted throughout the area. This plan proposes the establishment of a specifically defined industrial district for the future expansion and growth of the industrial business. The overriding goal of the American Street Empowerment Zone is to improve the physical environment in the industrial corridor and support business retention. Through good land-use planning and site assembly, these goals can be reached by the implementation of this proposal. There is one site acquisition, 1307-25 Germantown Avenue, covered by this request, which includes acquisition for the Commerce Department Empowerment Zone project. The Commerce Department is paying the cost of this acquisition, land acquisition, and the urban renewal area will be undertaken in conjunction with the Commerce Department, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, and the American Street Empowerment 65 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 Zone. Do I need to ask for a waiver of the rules?
You're welcome. Please identify yourself for the record.
I'm Richard Redding from the Planning Commission, and I'd like to testify on Bill No. 020279. This bill approves the redevelopment proposal and the urban renewal plan for the American Street Industrial Corridor. It creates a new urban renewal area specifically for this important industrial district in North Philadelphia. The Planning Commission approved the creation of the urban renewal area on April 18, 2002. It's our understanding that the immediate purpose is to allow expansion of one existing 66 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 business, but we anticipate that many more economic-development projects will be assisted in the future with this urban renewal area designation. Thank you, and I'm here to answer any questions.
Thank you very much Any questions for these witnesses? (No questions.)
Anyone else here to testify on this bill? Please come forward. (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record, ma'am.
Good morning. My name is Matthew [sic] Rousch, and I've lived in the Kensington south area since 1941, so it gives me 60-odd years of living in that area. I am here as an accident. By reading the Inquirer, I noticed that this bill has come up since no one seems to have known what this is about; not even our director knew that this land was going to be purchased for this reason -- not until Monday, when I talked to him. 67 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 I'm opposed -- I'm not opposed to the City or the Redevelopment Authority or the neighborhood transition obtaining this property since many of the residents do not want ABSCO there. It's dirty, it has rats, and many trucks block the street. I am opposed to commerce being built. I feel that our area is being used as a catchall for warehouses, food distribution centers, and any other building that no other neighborhood wants. We are between Northern Liberties and the neighborhood of the Norris Square, which they are developing, and we are being squeezed. There's no 15 reason why we can't have housing rather than these Chinese walls being built. Let me see now. I'll talk to the safety factor afterwards. I see several things in Mr. Hetzel's [sic] report that I want to comment on. Only 15 percent of the employees employed by the Empowerment Zone come from the neighborhood, and they were supposed to be much higher, and that is not my figure; that comes from the Empowerment Zone figures. Fifteen percent are 68 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 paid minimum wage, so many of them also are probably on welfare, which is fine, but I think that if they're going people, they should hire them at a wage that can support a normal living wage. Let me see what else I have here. So far as taxes are concerned, when these warehouses, food distribution centers, and other firms come into the area, they are given a tax relief of at least five years, low-interest loans, and other things. Our neighborhood is -- my taxes have been increasing for the past few years. I think that is totally unfair. The neighbors were not flyered [sic] that this meeting was going to takes place, no one knows about it. And, as I said, I'm here by accident, since not even our director of Kensington South knew very much about it, and I think that' Mr. Dougherty and Mr. Hetzel [sic] perhaps should have informed him. The people are very mixed internationally. We have Arabs, we have black Americans, white Americans, we have Middle Eastern people, we have many religions going from the 1200 block of Second to the 1600 block of Second. 69 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 Let me see. Many people do not speak English, so there are those of us that do speak English have to speak for the entire group. And -- or they don't feel comfortable speaking English in public. We are being gentrified, as I said, from Northern Liberties, which is great; I have no 9 problem with that. But why do we have to have all of these other Chinese walls being built in our area? Let me see, that goes to taxes. I don't -- I never heard of a profitability study being done regarding having houses built versus having these large industries being built. I would think that getting taxes for homeowners for five years is much more profitable than bringing in industry that pays no taxes, receives government funding to help pay for the workers coming into the area, and other things. Let me get to what Mr. Hetzel -- Mr. Hetzel [sic], I'm sure that this was a form letter put up, but there are several issues I have to take with your increased security in the neighborhood. I live in the neighborhood, I walk 70 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 along American Street -- I don't know whether you do or not -- and I've gone through -- I've used the 57 bus on American in the winter at night. It is dangerous; I don't consider that a safety factor. And if you walk along Cecil B. Moore at night or even during the day sometimes, there is no one, no 8 houses or nothing that you can possibly turn to for help.
Streetscape improvements. I don't know where you're getting that from, but I'll -- I haven't seen it on Second Street. The neighbors are being charged $100 to have a tree put into their front lawn, which is -- we're not a rich neighborhood. And as opposed to what the young man said previously, the houses are being built for rich people. The highest cost I've seen so far for new housing is $50,000 per house, which I don't consider a rich person's home. In fact, most rich people, and perhaps even some Councilmen, race along Second Street to get to where they're going. Improved transportation. Well, I don't know about that. The 57 bus goes along American Street, and that's a little walk. The 5 bus that was on Jefferson Street and along Oxford Street has 71 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 been moved to Frankford Avenue, which is a four- or five-block or to Girard, which is also a walk for many senior citizens. Creating community partnerships. Well, I don't know how that can be since no one in the neighborhood knew that that was going to take place. And to foster business growth, I'm sure that Mr. Dougherty or Mr. Hetzel [sic] and whoever else is in the Commerce Department will do all that they can to push this down our throats. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your testimony. Anyone else to testify on this bill?
I would like this tabled until the neighbors do know what's going on.