My name is Eva Gladstein, and I'm Executive Director of the Philadelphia Empowerment Zone. You already have written testimony on behalf of the Empowerment Zone, but I did want to take a minute just to respond to some of the concerns that Miss Rousch has addressed. As we stated, our goal in creating this separate urban renewal area is, in fact, to deal with some of the very issues that have been of concern to the neighbors for many, many years in the American Street area, because housing does abut up against industrial uses and it has created concerns that we are aware of, and we've tried to manage in other ways as well. But our goal in creating this urban renewal area was to firmly establish an area that would support industrial development and try to discourage residential use within those same areas. 73 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 In fact, because this has been of such concern, we held a special town meeting on March 7th sponsored in cooperation, not just with the Empowerment Zone and other City agencies, but with the community- based organizations in that area, including Kensington South. At least 100 residents from the area did participate in that meeting, and I know that you were there (to Ms. Rousch), and I know that some very real concerns have to be addressed when residents are living next door to businesses, and some of them had to do with making sure that the businesses were good neighbors in terms of keeping up their property. We are trying on a day-by-day basis to work with the businesses to make sure that they good neighbors to the residents. They also do produce jobs, and I just want to just address the figures. We've surveyed the larger industrial businesses along the American Street Corridor, and, in fact, it's over 30 percent of the jobs that are held by the neighborhood residents. We would like to -- and we work with them and encourage them to even increase that number. 74 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020279 There are wage-tax benefits that come with the Empowerment Zone designation for hiring neighborhood residents, so that is a goal that we will continue to work on, which is to increase employment opportunities, not just overall, but also for neighborhoods residents. And, finally, we're working in many other ways to try to enhance the quality of life for residents in this area, including funding the design of some improvements for streetscapes and then trying to secure the financing for that.
I would suggest that any questions you can ask individually, 'cause we have a number of other bills. Anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Thank you very much. - - - 75 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020282
The next bill for consideration is 020282, an ordinance approving the redevelopment proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of a portion of the West Parkside Lancaster Redevelopment Area, West Parkside Urban Renewal Area being the area generally bounded by Parkside Avenue on the north, Belmont Avenue and Girard Avenue on the east, Lancaster Avenue on the south, and 52nd Street and the Pennsylvania Central Railroad line on the west. (Witness comes forward.)
My name is Herbert Wetzel, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I'm here to speak in support of Bill No. 21 020282, which is the establishment of the Parkside Lancaster Redevelopment Proposal and the West Parkside Urban Renewal Plan for the Parkside Lancaster Redevelopment Area and the West Parkside Urban Renewal Area. 76 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020282 This bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to acquire properties. 4 The purpose of these acquisition is to facilitate a 5 development plan by the Philadelphia Empowerment 6 Zone and Community Ventures, Inc., in partnership 7 with the Parkside Association of Philadelphia. 8 All 23 properties are currently vacant 9 and blighted and will be fully rehabilitated. All 10 will be sold to low- and moderate-income, 11 first-time homeowners. 12 The Planning Commission at its meeting 13 on April 17, 1997, certified the Parkside Lancaster 14 Redevelopment Area as blighted and adopted the 15 Parkside Lancaster Redevelopment Area Plan. 16 The request for blight certification 17 was made on behalf of Community Ventures, Inc. and 18 the Parkside Association of Philadelphia. This 19 effort is supported by the West Philadelphia 20 Empowerment Zone, which has allocated $29,103 for 21 predevelopment and acquisition activities. 22 This bill will eliminate a blighting 23 influence, increase the availability of affordability of housing, and contribute to economic revitalization efforts in this area. 77 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020282 Thank you.
Thank you very much. Please identify yourself for the record.
Hello, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Richard Redding from the Planning Commission testifying on Bill No. 020282. It approves the redevelopment proposal and urban renewal plan for the West Parkside Urban Renewal Area located in the vicinity of 52nd and Parkside Avenue in West Philadelphia The bill authorizes land acquisition and support of housing rehabilitation sponsored by the local community. The Planning Commission approved the urban renewal plan in April 2001, which will facilitate the rehabilitation of scattered 20 properties in West Parkside. Approximately 30 21 units of housing will be produced. 22 Our approval is consistent with our 23 previous approvals from the Planning Commission of a blight recertification for this neighborhood and a redevelopment plan covering the broader area. 78 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020282 And I'll be happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nutter.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there are some representatives from the community who may want to put some of their thoughts on the record, but I want to thank Mr. Wetzel and Mr. Redding for their work on this plan. It is -- I guess, as they say good things come to those who wait. We have been waiting for a while, and we're very pleased about this proposal. We're looking forward to the redevelopment. And as we've seen in some of the other hearings, there are other exciting things coming to Parkside by way of planning and CDBG and NTI activity. So, hopefully, over the course of the next year or so, the Parkside community will be transformed significantly. 79 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020282 And so I just wanted to put that on the record and thank you, and I know that there community representatives who may want to add to that. I see them shaking their heads off to the side, but I wanted to at least provide that opportunity. They might want to say a word or two.
Thank you very much. Any questions for these witnesses? (No further questions.)
None? Anyone else to testify? (Witness comes forward.) PARKSIDE AVE. RESIDENT: My name is (indiscernible) and I'm a resident on park side Avenue, and I just wanted to speak on behalf of those of us who are here, and I know we have all agreed that this is a very good thing for the community. These are vacant properties that have long needed to be rehabilitated, and we are all working in various ways through the Parkside Association, through the West Park Cultural and Opportunity Center and the Business Association of West Parkside to be partners in this urban renewal 80 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020282 of our community. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
We will now move to Bill No. 020315, which is an ordinance amending an ordinance approved December 14, 1971, as amended, which approved the redevelopment proposal of the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of South Central Urban Renewal Area by approving the 12th amendment of the redevelopment proposal and the 12th amendment, which provide, inter alia, for certain land acquisitions of one property for comercial and related reuses and one property for residential and related reuses, and declaring that condemnation is imminent with respect to the project, all as contained in the 12th amendment of the redevelopment proposal and the 12th amendment of the urban renewal plan. 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 am here to speak in support of Bill 82 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 No. 020315, which is the 12th amendment to the redevelopment proposal and the 12th amendment to the urban renewal plan for South Central Redevelopment Area and the South Central Urban Renewal Area. This bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to acquire two long-term blighted properties. One is a vacant lot for business expansion and the other is a vacant building that will be demolished and replaced with new residential construction. Both would support the Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative by eliminating blight in these neighborhoods. The components of the proposal are as follows: The long-term vacant lot located at 1024 South 17th Street will be acquired for Donatucci Kitchens. This established business has been expanding but heretofore has been unable to privately acquire this parcel. Accordingly, they requested the cooperation of the Redevelopment Authority in this acquisition. Donatucci Kitchen wants to use this lot, along with a vacant lot that they currently 83 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 own, as an entrance to their existing parking lot. Donatucci Kitchens believes that by creating this particular facility, they will be able to create an additional 32 jobs at their current location. The second component is the acquisition of the long-term blighted building at 639-641 Catherine Street. This structure will be demolished and replaced with the new construction of three market-rate single-family dwellings for home ownership --
Is that a corner property? Do you know if that's a corner property or not?
Yes, it is. And Mr. Chairman, my understanding, from speaking with some of the close neighbors, is that it has actually been vacant for at least 24 years. 25
Yeah, Councilman 84 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 DiCicco has been very much involved in it, but it's been -- I mean, it just really highlights how long it takes to do this, 'cause I think the first time it was brought to my attention was a Bella Vista community meeting at, I guess, an art gallery across the street. It must be three years ago, four years ago maybe? It's amazing. Go ahead, I'm sorry.
The proposed redeveloper is Masada Customer Builders, and they would be removing the last blighting influence in this section of the Bella Vista neighborhood. Both developers will sign a non-assistance agreement requiring them to reimburse the Redevelopment Authority for the direct and indirect costs incurred as a result of these condemnations, which means there's no burden on the taxpayers to carry out this activity.
I'm Richard Redding from 85 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 the Planning Commission testifying on Bill No. 3 020315, approving the 12th amended redevelopment proposal and urban renewal plan for South Central Urban Renewal Area. The bill authorizes acquisition of one property for commercial use and another property for residential use. The Planning Commission approved this redevelopment proposal on April 17th of this year, and I'm here to answer any questions.
Thank you very much. Any questions for these witnesses?
Seeing none, we will now move on to Bill -- UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Inaudible, off mic.)
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see. Now that I do, please take the chair. Thank you. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Inaudible, off mic.)
I didn't see. Now 86 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 I saw, now you're testifying. It's very simple. (Witness comes forward.)
Mr. Kenney, my name is Terri Kennedy. I have a question about both properties, but the first one that I would like to question is the one on South 17th Street. I would like to know -- it was pointed out to me -- it's the one with the dot in it, the first one that you see. Then there's properties right next to it. Are those properties standing or are they --
Anyone from RDA can answer the question. (Witnesses come forward.)
Yes. The property north of this particular lot is a vacant lot owned by 87 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 Mr. Donatucci. The property south of it is a vacant building that's also owned by Mr. Donatucci. He owns both sides of this lot; that's why we want to consolidate it.
And the transfer of the property is the transfer of an additional lot or a standing structure?
No. What we are asking authorization to do is to a condemn a vacant lot that sits between two properties that he already owns.
Okay. I'm sorry, you have to use the microphone in order for the stenographer to hear you.
Yeah, you're going to have to take the microphone with you if you'll just take it off the stand there.
No, I won't. Forget about it. 88 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 This is the property that I understand is on the bill, am I correct?
Now, you have, one, two, three, four properties, and then this dotted part. Who owns these four properties or are they standing? And who owns this dotted area?
I'm Jeff Brown, Project Manager for the Redevelopment Authority. The property at 10 -- we're talking about getting authorization to acquire 1024 South 17th Street. 1022 South 17th Street is a vacant lot owned by Donatucci. And 1020 is a privately owned building.
No, none of these arein discussion. These properties above, which go to 89 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 about 1018, I think, the Redevelopment Authority has already condemned those, but that's for a different development.
Now they're vacant lots; they've been demolished. Universal Community Homes and SOSNA intends to develop them, but that's not a part of the --
So the two properties highlighted by dots are empty lots that are being condemned.
I'm sorry, I'm confused; I thought it was a lot. Are they --
Yeah, the dot means proposed for condemnation, proposed for demolition as opposed to rehabilitation.
Some of the properties on the northern part, 2, 4, and 6, I think, have not yet been demolished, but the ones down here in the second dot have been demolished.
Here's the problem that I have and as a -- the problem that I have is this: I'm quite familiar with the area, being born and raised in South Philly and being a South Philly person and knowing every little nook and cranny. What I find a problem is that to buy a property to extend one's property ownership and use this process to do so, to me, is -- is a little bit offensive in the manner that -- why don't they go through purchasing it from the owner, you know, as anybody else would. Now, Donatucci Kitchens owns the property there at the corner, which I'm very familiar with, which has some kind of messenger service. It has a paint place that is on Washington Avenue and something else. It originally was Donatucci Plumbing Supply, and I bought many a plumbing supply from there. 91 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 First of all, I'd like to know if this person knows that this hearing is going on to take the property, number one. Did Mr. Donatucci, or whomever, ever consult the person and say, Hey, Mr. Jones, you own this property, I want to buy it, you know, have the taxes been paid? Are they up to date with the taxes? Should it have gone to tax sale? Should it have this, should it have that? I do not know. I am not affluent [sic] in knowing what's involved in the RDA or whatever -- no, this Redevelopment Authority, what the rules are, but I question, you know, if doing it this way is in violation of someone's federal rights of owning a property and for someone to purchase a property in the manner that anybody would normally purchase. If you wanted to -- if you had a lot and there was another piece of the lot that would make a good idea -- a good thing because now I can build 20 houses instead of 15 because it gave me that extra amount, I -- I'd -- I really think that this type of condemnation and conveyance is absolutely an affront to a citizen of Philadelphia who doesn't have the opportunity of going to a 92 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 place like City Hall, which they're in all the time, and ask for this type of thing. There wasn't -- I mean, as far as I'm concerned, I go down that street all the time. I never saw anything posted. Let's say this man over here wants to buy a parcel of land, which is going on in that area, and he has three sons and himself, and he wants to buy a parcel to put four properties on there for him, his wife, and four children to build a home, how can he do it? No one knows how to do it. All we see in South Philly is signs popping up for future development of Universal whatever or a private situation like this that no 16 one knows about.
Mr. Wetzel, is there someone who can give us a kind of a synopsis of what the process is and what the reason for the use of this type of procedure is.
Yes. Again, I'm Herb Wetzel with the Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Donatucci made numerous efforts to try to identify the owner of this particular property and would have preferred not to use the 93 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 eminent-domain process. There are thousands and thousands of lots and abandonedstructures in this city, for which we never can find the owners of the properties: They've deceased, their heirs have no 6 interest in them, there's no way to find these individuals. We end up paying thousands of dollars into court on many of the undertakings that we undertake simply we cannot find the owner and we have to park the money there so that the owners, if they ever do come forward, it's sitting in court for at least the first five years for them to come.
But we do know that this is actually a more expensive process for Mr. Donatucci than probably buying it directly because he has to pay for the public notice and advertising costs. This is a very inexpensive piece of land that he will pay substantially more for as a result of having to pay the overhead of acquiring it this way. And I'm sure he would have 94 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 preferred to purchase the property directly from the individual.
Sounds good, but can't go by me. Anybody by me in this room would love to pay less and would love less aggravation in purchasing a property.
Well, let me ask you a question. Since you know every nook and cranny of South Philadelphia, do you know who owns that property?
So, you know, when I say "nook and cranny," I could tell you what's going on.
I just thought maybe you were from that area and you knew who the owner of the property was.
This is the story. I'm from Seventh and Christian, born and raised in 95 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 South Philly. I do my business in South Philly, I go to Ninth Street. I'm constantly, you know, heading down South Philly to Oregon and back and so on and so forth. You see things that happen in areas like 16th and Morris, 15th and Snyder, whatever the case might be.
I do not live in that area to know who it is, but I do have to say that in reference to this here, this should not be passed at all because this gentleman does not know if it ever went up for sheriff's sale. Now, why should someone who wants to buy a property and goes the route of -- I think you have to put $500 down or -- and all you have to do, somebody like anybody in City Hall here, they pick up the phone, make a phone call and say, you know what, see if this property owes taxes, and if the property is owed tax, the guy says, I'm interested in it, put it up, go through the process. So the City Law Department goes through the process of sending out notices so -- but he want it now. This type of function is to have it now. I don't think that's right. And I don't 96 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 think that's right that the people in the neighborhood or people -- any citizen does not know that this property can be available because there was no signs posted. And even if -- like they say, signs are being posted, they -- you know, they never are or they're ripped off. But I really think that this should be handled in the manner of a sheriff's sale.
And I would be really taken aback if it wasn't. If this ordinance was passed, I would be extremely upset, and I would have to say something about it to the press.
I also have something to say about the other property but, you know, after the other people have --
Councilman Kenney, my name is Mitch Golden. I have to the right of me Vernon 97 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 Anastasia, the president of the Bella Vista Civic Association -- actually Bella Vista United Civic Association. To the left of me, I have Greg Pastore, who's the president of Town Watch. To say that the neighborhood support for the acquisiton and development of the property owned at Seventh and Catherine is there would be an understatement. It is overwhelming. This support doesn't just come from the newcomers; it comes from the people who've lived in the community for years and years. I happen to be wearing three hats. I'm the chairman of the Anti-Blight Committee for the civic association; I am the newly elected committeeman for that area.
No good deed goes unpunished, don't ever forget that. (Laughter.) 98 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315
We'll wait and see that. And one of the reasons people voted for me was because of the work I've been doing to push Seventh and Catherine. I also happen to be the next door neighborhood, and when you mentioned before --
I'm on Catherine, 637 Catherine. And when you stated before that you first had the property brought up to you at "Meet Your Neighbor Night" at the art gallery, I'm the gentleman who brought it up to you and then I gave you a guided tour.
And I appreciate the work you've done, and I certainly appreciate the work Councilman DiCicco does. I suppose an ideological argument could be made that eminent domain is wrong, and I assume that's an argument being made before. I would simply state this: that in an urban area, property is not infinite; property is finite. There is a 99 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 limited amount of property. The question is, if you want to make an ideological argument, is it for life, liberty and pursuit of property? or life, liberty and abuse of property. This property I'm discussing at Seventh and Catherine Street, I'm told by my neighbors who I'd like to have talk too -- we have a gentleman here who's been in the neighborhood for 43 years -- has been in an abandoned state for years. The 12 present owner has owned that property for 13 approximately 20 years. 14 If you want to listen to the 15 scuttlebutt on the street, that present owner has 16 been offered, and has turned down, the opportunity 17 to sell the property. He certainly has not 18 developed the property. I have the pictures to 19 prove it. Anyone who walks down will see it. 20 The owners want the property developed. 21 They're tired of a property infested with pigeons, 22 they're tired of a property that's a magnet for 23 garbage, they're tired of a property that's an 24 aesthetic eyesore. 25 The owner of that property -- before I 100 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 told you that the support for this bill is overwhelming in the community. The owner might not be in favor of that, but that owner is not a part of that community; that owner, from what I understand, he lives in South Jersey. So the question is, can someone who lives in South Jersey maintain a blighted property for years, not sell it, not develop it, and 10 allow the City and City Council to be impotent to 11 do anything about it? And that is an abuse of 12 property. 13 Eminent domain serves us because 14 property is finite. Eminent domain is for the 15 public good. And if there ever was a use for the 16 public good, it would be the development of that 17 property. That is the largest blighted property in 18 Bella Vista. 19 And to show that there is absolute 20 unity amongst the associations, I'd like to have both Vernon and Greg Pastore say a few words. I'd also invite the neighbors who have lived in that community much longer than I have to tell you about how they feel about that property in its present state. 101 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315
Mr. Chairman, my name is Vernon Anastasia, and I'm the President of the Bella Vista United Civic Association. I'm just here to tell you all that I had asked Mitchell to chair the blight committee over months ago, and since then, we've targeted 9 24 properties. Of those 24, well over two-thirds 10 of those properties have been redeveloped. The 11 owner of 639 Catherine Street refuses to work with 12 the community redeveloping that block. 13 I represent 750 active residents of 14 Bella Vista through the civic association, and each 15 and every one of them are in support of that 16 property being taken by eminent domain. 17 Thank you. 18
My name's Greg Pastore, and I'm the President of Bella Vista Town Watch. I (indiscernible) with what Vernon says and with what Mitch says. I would just like to add that as the co-chair of the zoning committee in the neighborhood, we've dealt with numerous properties 102 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 similar to this as far as construction. It's very popular in the neighborhood now, and there's been about new properties built from the ground up in 5 the last three years. And, in fact, Mr. Golden has 6 shown me the plans from Mr. Masada, the present 7 chosen developer, and to get a sense of what would 8 happen where they need a zoning variance to 9 develop. 10 And this is just something that's 11 almost a no-brainer from our standpoint. We know 12 that it would happen as soon as the budget was 13 conveyed to him. And, in fact, he's building five 14 very quality homes within one block of there right 15 now. 16 I can answer any questions also. 17
And I'd like to ask any 18 neighbors if they would like to say a word. 19 (Witness comes forward.) 20
Good afternoon, Councilman. 22 My name is John Bazuk (ph), and I've been living in 23 the neighborhood for 43 years, and it's almost 24 shameful to even bring someone up to my home where 25 I live to pass by, and it's been it's very 103 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 discouraging that nothing has been done for so many years. It's almost fearful in a way. We pass by there so many times, my parents pass by there so many times, and they're afraid to go around the corner. They're afraid to have to cross the street to make passage. This is just some of the horrible things about the property. And for that they exist in an area where, you know, the average tax is, like, over $2,000, and people are fixing their homes and being interested, really interested in staying instead of making an area fall apart, making an area pretty decent. For this huge eyesore to be there -- I mean, this is huge. And I would really like to -- I'm here today to really to say -- to really wholeheartedly bring that up.
And I wish it would disappear, but I don't know how it's going to disappear, but I wish it would disappear.
Another longtime resident, Dominic Lazarro, would like to say a few words.
After Mr. Lazarro, I think we'll -- yeah, 'cause I think we've got a flavor for this.
My name is Dominic Lazarro. I was the former president of Bella Vista Community Association. This property has been vacant for, like, years. I have taken pictures of it and I 12 have sent it to Councilman Kennedy [sic] about five 13 or six years ago. It was a bird paradise, and 14 since that, at least it's been covered up, so we 15 got rid of the birds that way, but I'd like to see 16 this property get developed. 17 Thank you. 18
Thank you. 19 Anyone else to testify? 20 Please. 21 (Witness comes forward.) 22
Yes, Good morning, 25 Mr. Councilman. My name is Joseph Raio (ph). I 105 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 also have lived in the South Philadelphia area and in particular in that very same neighborhood for 46 years. I am quite familiar with the property as well. The fact that it looks as bad as it does isn't in dispute. Sure, it has been boarded up, it's been covered. It has been maintained to the best of anyone's ability to keep it sealed, protected from any type of burglaries or anything such as that, even with regards to the pigeons and so on and so forth. I have to make a comment and a remark on the other side of what that woman earlier spoke about, where the neighborhood was not notified. Apparently, this entire neighborhood was aware of Seventh and Catherine. On the flip side of that, the owner was not of this particular hearing. Nothing was informed to him, myself, or notices or anything of that nature.
Do you represent the owner? 106 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315
Well, I am in negotiations with him for the purchase of that property and to develop it. Now we come to find out that --
Do you have a deposit? Do you have a memorandum or an agreement of sale?
A couple of years. And you have not yet been able to come to an agreement of sale?
Well, it's a matter of also time to get together between he and I.
I mean, he does have other pressing situations. You have to understand, you know, he doesn't only want to deal with me. (Unintelligible, parties talking over each other.)
Sir, I hear what you're saying. What is it you would like for us to do? 108 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315
Well, I want to be able to maintain, like this woman did say, this tabled, this tabled being for the fact that Mr. Orapollo is not aware of this. We were noticed by surprise.
I'm asking you what you would -- after two years in negotiations, what you would --
I want to be able to complete my negotiations with Mr. Orapollo. I don't want to lose an opportunity such as that because someone wants to claim eminent domain on a piece or property if I could --
How long do you think it will take you to complete your negotiations?
I would have to venture to say it's basically left up to Anthony's concerns. He has concerns that he needs to address.
Do you think you can close this deal within the next two years?
Within the next two years? I would venture say so within the next two years. I don't -- I can't see -- maybe even sooner, but he has to negotiate and conclude his business. 109 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315
I don't know; I cannot foretell the future, I don't have a crystal ball.
So you want the community to keep sitting there with this 25-year-old blighted building and continue until you and your -- this person you're representing Mr. Anthony "whatever-his-name-is" and --
The fact that I am in negotiations with him leads me to believe that I could speak presently right now because he was not aware of it.
Two years to negotiate the sale of a building that's made a --
You asked me to give you a time frame; I gave you a for-instance. I didn't say it was a matter of fact.
Well, let me tell you what the time frame is: The time frame is, we're going to pass this bill.
Within the next 15 minutes. 110 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 (Applause.)
No, not predetermined. Let me tell you, you know, to be a property owner in the city means more than simply just owning the property; it means --
Let me tell you something. With all due respect, I am extremely familiar with that building as a lifelong South Philadelphia resident, and it is an absolute, total disgrace. It's been a disgrace, it's been homeless in there, it's been pigeons in there. (Applause.)
It's an absolute, total disgrace, and Mr. Orapollo, with all due respect to him, has abdicated his rights as a homeowner because he's not even here, nor does he care about the property. 111 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 (Applause.)
He wasn't aware of the fact to be here. If he's not made aware --
Just this morning, okay. All right, your two years of negotiations have come to an end, and we're going to move this bill today. It's over. (Applause.) 112 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315
My name is Terri Kennedy. Well, Mr. DiCicco, it looks like, you know, you don't even have to go back and talk about this bill because you've sat in front of all of us that you're going to pass it.
That's correct. You can talk about it, but I'm asking that this committee move this bill out favorably, and we're going to move that this property be developed.
Well, I think -- I think just the attitude that is coming forth from yourself seems to --
You own the abandoned church on Lombard Street, don't you?
The one that's 113 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 been a blight to that that community as well?
The one that you want to try to take -- "you," meaning the City, plural. And the reason --
Ma'am, if you don't develop that soon, we're not going to try; we're going to do it.
Yeah. You're going to become a responsible property owner in this city as well.