COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Monday, December 7, 2009 1:15 p.m. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE, CHAIR COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO BILLS 090707, 090750, 090786 and 090847 - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 2
Good afternoon. This is the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. We have established a quorum. On my left is Councilman Frank Rizzo, Councilman Bill Greenlee, Councilman Jim Kenney and Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller. Mr. Carter, will you please read the title of the first bill.
Bill No. 090707, an ordinance authorizing the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement for a license from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to occupy certain submerged lands of the Commonwealth in the Schuylkill River in the vicinity of Lock Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Is a member of the Administration here to testify? (Witness approached witness 3 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. table.)
Good afternoon. Please state your name for the record.
Good morning, Chairman Clarke and members of the City Council Committee on Public Property and Public Works. My name is Arthur Holst. I'm Business and Government Affairs Manager for the Philadelphia Water Department. I'm here today to testify regarding Bill No. 090707, which was introduced by Councilman Jones on October 8th of 2009. This bill, if passed, would allow the Water Commissioner to enter into an agreement for a license from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to occupy submerged lands of the Commonwealth in the Schuylkill River 4 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. in the vicinity of Lock Street to facilitate the construction of a wet weather sewage overflow tank. I'll explain the need for that. Several years ago, the Water Department discovered that during very high-intensity rain events, the main intercepting sewer, which runs along the Schuylkill River, would exceed its capacity and discharge sewage into the Schuylkill River in the vicinity of Shurs Lane. As required by law, the Philadelphia Water Department notified the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection of this occurrence and agreed to engage in a process to further understand the wet weather overflow issue and to ultimately mitigate the problem. The Water Department conducted a thorough sewer system evaluation and an extensive hydraulic analysis of this sewer system. It was determined that during extreme wet weather events, the 5 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. main interceptor sewer exceeds its capacity. In order to mitigate this condition, the Water Department proposed the construction of an offline overflow tank to capture and store excess flows, thereby eliminating surcharges and preventing overflow conditions. The tank will be located on the lower end of Venice Island on a four-acre City-owned parcel and will be predominantly underground. On March 11th, 2008, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Philadelphia Water Department entered into a Consent Order and Agreement regarding the mitigation of wet weather overflows at this location. The Consent Order and Agreement requires the Water Department to construct an overflow tank on Venice Island to abate the overflows. The Water Department has worked with local community groups and other impacted stakeholders to create an 6 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. acceptable solution to the issue while taking into account community concerns. The restoration of the site will provide an improvement over the current state of the parcel and will be an amenity to the community. Although the City owns the parcel where the tank will be built, the boundary of the parcel stops short of the river bank. The narrow strip of land along the river is considered submerged lands and is the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The strip of land is approximately 425 feet long by feet wide, which is approximately 0.2 17 acres. In order to construct a tank, the project will impact this strip of land, and as such, the City will need to enter into a license agreement in order to gain permission to use and occupy this land. There are no annual license fees associated with this license agreement. On behalf of the Water 7 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. Department, I request that you report this bill favorably out of the Committee so that the City may continue to move forward its plan to abate the overflows at this location. I also request that a first reading of this bill be allowed at the next session of City Council, and I'd be happy to answer any of your questions.
Stimulus money, shovel-ready, we've been hearing a lot about stuff.
To the best of my knowledge, this is not being paid by stimulus dollars.
It's from our operating budget. We have made transfers of operating budget projects with stimulus 8 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. money where we could, and that's been done already.
Please get back to the Chair. But I think we should on all projects make sure that we're taking advantage of this federal stimulus money.
I can tell you that this is not going to be -- this is going to be a very expensive project.
Thank you. 9 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. Real quick, this is pretty much the Main Street area?
I understand, but I'm saying I know that along that particular -- this is close to Main Street, right, where the retail development is?
And I know from time to time along the banks there's been a significant number of flooding, and the concern about developing down on that location was as a result of that.
Will this alleviate that problem and enhance the possibility of more development along that riverfront, along the Towpath and all that?
Yes. That's why we haven't been able to do any development in that area, because the state wouldn't 10 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. allow us to approve any project because of the overflow problem.
So the development of this storm water diversion will essentially enhance our opportunity as it relates to development down there?
Thank you so much. Anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
There being none, Mr. Carter, will you please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 090750, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City to 11 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development a deed conveying fee simple title to certain parcels of land, with the improvements thereon, located at 5201 Frankford Avenue, for further conveyance, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and members of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. My name is John Herzins and I am Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Property here today to testify in support of Bill No. 21 090750. The property 5201 Frankford Avenue will be redeveloped into a new cellular phone retail outlet by HK Philadelphia Real Estate. The $165,000 12 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. proceeds from the sale will be deposited into the General Fund. The Department of Public Property supports this measure and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that City Council approve Bill No. 090750. I am requesting a suspension of the rules so as to allow for first reading at the next session of Council. Thank you. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you. Any questions of this witness on this bill by members of the Committee? Councilman Rizzo.
Did you say it's going to be a retail store? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: Retail cellular phone store.
Not a cell tower site? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: No. 25
Okay. Thank 13 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. you.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you very much. You're testifying on the next bill. Anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Bill No. 090786, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to accept from the School District of Philadelphia conveyance of title to a portion of the land bounded by Susquehanna Avenue, North 15th Street, Diamond Street and North 16th Street, and further authorizing transfer of the property to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, under certain terms and conditions. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and 14 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. members of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. My name is John Herzins. I am the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Property here today to testify in support of Bill No. 090786. NewCourtland, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides housing and healthcare to low-income seniors throughout Philadelphia, will develop the property as outlined in the bill, into affordable housing for low-income seniors. The agreement of sale to NewCourtland will be subject to their acquisition of HUD 202 funding. The Department of Public Property supports this measure and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that City Council approve Bill No. 090786. I am requesting a suspension of the rules so as to allow for first reading at the next session of Council. Thank you. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. 15 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc.
Thank you. Mr. Herzins, for the record, this bill will essentially -- and thank you again for your support, along with the School District, because this was one that had a lot of challenges as it relates to moving it. This will essentially authorize the acceptance of the property from the School District? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: And also for further conveyance.
And you guys will essentially enter into an agreement with PAID to convey the property to potentially that particular developer? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: Correct.
But that transaction will not be done in this bill? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: Correct. 16 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc.
The latter part. Am I correct? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: Right. The agreement of sale will be subject to financing, yes.
I just want some clarity on the purpose of this particular legislation. Any questions of Mr. Herzins from the members of the Committee? (No response.)
Thank you. Please proceed. The School District is going to testify? I think we're okay. That didn't mean you guys can go. No. You're eager to get up and eager to leave.
My name is Max Kent. I'm the Senior Project Manager for 17 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. NewCourtland Elder Services.
My name is Alicia Joe and I'm a Project Manager for NewCourtland Elder Services also.
We have testimony and we have a facts sheet, if you would like it.
The background on this development is that NewCourtland Elder Services will apply for a HUD fund reservation for development of 60 one-bedroom apartments under HUD Section 18 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. 202 and 13 two-bedroom cottages under HUD Section 811 for the property at 1500 Susquehanna Avenue, which is bounded by 15th Street and 16th Street. Contingent on receiving our fund reservation from HUD, we would then transfer the property from PIDC to NewCourtland Elder Services with all the provisions in the agreement.
Okay. What's the income criteria eligibility for the proposed tenants?
The proposed tenants are, first, age 62 and older, and the income is at 30 percent and lower of median income. That would place it between an annual income of $6,607 up to $25,250, with rents, monthly rents, for the individual that would range from $260 up to about $600.
Okay. That's quite affordable. 19 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. Okay. Will there be services on site for the residents?
There will be services on site. The services mirror our NewCourtland Life program. There will be a property manager to support the tenants with rental issues and property issues. There would be a social services coordinator that will provide assistance with transportation and wellness activities. We'll have organized weekly activities driven by a weekly kind of calendar of events. We offer recreation and cultural programs. We'll provide assistance to all community-based programs through Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, and where appropriate, if a tenant has the need, we'll enroll them in our Living Independently for Elders program.
There will be -- 20 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc.
-- security on the site hours. Beyond that, we have a 6 telehealth technologies program that 7 allows connectivity with each tenant to a 8 call center 24 hours a day. 9
All right. 10 We're having a ceremony with a 202 I 11 think it's next week, Haven Panal. In 12 that, they actually are hiring one of the 13 residents as a part of the operation of 14 the development. Is that something that 15 you guys -- 16
That is consistent 17 with HUD regulations, that if we have a 18 tenant that could be appropriate for 19 staffing this particular development, we 20 would certainly consider it. In 21 addition, we have many volunteer 22 activities that our tenants get involved 23 with either to support one of the local 24 life centers in our catchment area or one of our nursing homes. So we offer many 21 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. activities and employment opportunities, if qualified.
Okay. Are you in conversation with or had any conversation with State Representative Jewell Williams?
And you will be interacting with him during the course of this process, if we're fortunate enough to get funded?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just quickly. Just more of a statement. I've seen NewCourtland, some of your other establishments, and I have to say I was very impressed with it. It's run very well. Folks seem very happy there, which is a big key, I think. 22 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. So I hope, like Chairman said, if you get the funding for this, I'm sure it will be run the same way. So good luck with it.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. How are the residents selected? What's the selection process to obtain either an apartment or a cottage?
In the City of Philadelphia, it started with a waiting list, which will be created at the time we receive our Certificate of Occupancy, and we'll maintain the waiting list throughout the life of the program.
Is there any provisions in the HUD regulations or your own policy where residents, 23 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. long-term residents in the community where the facility is located, get more weighted consideration? I think one of the things that we've been trying to do over the years is when we do developments in a community, that people are not -- people can age in place kind of from moving out of their single row house if they can't maintain it anymore into a facility like this, but stay in their own neighborhood, stay in their old neighborhood that they're used to with the stores and other amenities that are around there or people come from all over the region.
Councilman Kenney, that is specifically why we would like this development in the neighborhood that's selected. Historically, with our other HUD properties and tax credit properties, it's the near neighbors and residents of these neighborhoods that take advantage of these programs. For your question regarding a 24 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. weighted numeric opportunity for somebody on a waiting list, that I know of that provision isn't available through the Fair Housing Act, but we do actively advertise in the neighborhood where the property is being built so that there's plenty of advanced notice that the doors are going to open and that the near neighbors can move up to get on -- their name on the application list.
Living in a neighborhood that's generational, it's much easier for folks to move around the corner than it is across town. So I'm glad you're at least -- not at least, but I'm glad that you have that policy and philosophy about your tenant selection, because I think it's important for older folks to age in place.
And our programs are supported by the social services programs by outlined in our Life program, and just historically when you look at our numbers and our occupancy for tenancy, these 25 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. folks are coming from within their own neighborhood and trying to avoid being placed in some other institution.
Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon. I just want to support and add on to what Councilman Greenlee said. Certainly you're a good neighbor in my district and we enjoy having you there, and your facilities are always open for community use, for meetings and whatnot, and that's really an asset. I do have questions about the 811 low-income elderlies suffering from Alzheimer's. I actually wasn't familiar with that funding. So someone with Alzheimer's can live there with their caregiver or if they have a 24-hour caregiver, I guess? Can you just explain 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. that a little?
Yes. HUD Section 4 811 is a -- provides a rent subsidy that a caregiver can live in with a tenant without the income of the caregiver being considered for occupancy. So that the income of the caregiver would not disqualify the tenant because there was too much funding coming into that particular apartment. Generally, we're finding that caregivers are family members, though it could also be a professional caregiver if the tenant elected to have a professional caregiver. Our 811 programs are based for NewCourtland on a two-bedroom design so that the tenant and caregiver can have separate bedrooms. And we petition HUD for a housing preference so that persons with a diagnosis of dementia could actually move forward on our standing list to be considered for a vacant property. 27 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc.
And the 811 funding is specifically for Alzheimer patients or dementia?
The 811 funding by HUD is specifically for persons with disabilities, and the housing preference that we petition HUD for is specifically for the disability of dementia or Alzheimer's.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other questions? Councilman Rizzo.
I guess I can't be left out of this. I agree with everything that was said. This is a great project, and nothing better than seeing our senior citizens taken good care of. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. 28 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. Thank you very much for your testimony. Anyone else to testify on this bill? (Witness approached witness table.)
My name is Judith Robinson. I want to say I hope that -- I'm hearing all these flowery accolades for this project. I hope you all don't have already a foregone conclusion that you're going to just vote yes without hearing from the people of the community in which this would be developed. Maybe they're good in other areas, and that's fine. Maybe they're even good in this particular area, but regarding Bill No. 090876, the community -- there has been no community meeting regarding this project. That's first of all. 29 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. This project was presented at City Planning Commission, and I was quite embarrassed. The Planning Commission didn't have a clue about such things as the replacement of this play area. There was no community meeting documented at the Planning Commission, the agency which tells us community participation is important. They really didn't have a clue. After I did testify in front of them, one of the planners voted against the project, because she says we just don't have any information. I think that in these hard economic times when friends are few and money is hard to find, that you just shouldn't run ahead on a development. We're not as desperate as we used to be in North Philly for development. We have senior housing presently catty-cornered from this development. This is open space. It's behind Duckery School, 15th and Susquehanna. It's behind a school. It's a play area that's used. Some of 30 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. you might remember Mr. Kintu, who had his tournaments here. You might have supported his efforts there. It's not like this is open space that's not being used. And then we have very senior housing in the area within a one-mile radius from this site. This is a commercial corridor. So we're very clear that our commercial corridor is not going to come back as it was, but I was on the Board of Advocate Community Development Corporation and we had a verifiable plan for the Avenue to not be as it was, but to be as it can be in the future to bring vitality around the corner of Susquehanna Avenue. I am a business owner on Susquehanna Avenue. I am a homeowner in the area. I understand there's some seniors that may want senior housing, but most seniors want to age in place. Age in place means aging in their home where they could have their grandchildren come over. Senior housing is made for seniors 31 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. who do not have families who may want to come visit them. They're prohibited from staying overnight, et cetera. There are all kinds of rules and regulations as it relates to senior housing. But as I mentioned, being on the Board of Advocate Community Development Corporation, we had a plan for the area. Now that Advocate Community Corporation is defunct, plans are just being presented without community input. It is disrespectful. It's not of value, and I think we should rethink this whole project. We're in the 5th District. The 5th District has more vacant land open and available where we could do senior housing. I'm not against senior housing, believe me. I sell real estate, been selling real estate for years. I'm 22 not against development. I'm not against 23 senior housing. I am against 24 disrespectful, willy-nilly planning of 25 development that's not of value. 32 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. " I sold one parcel of land, 1830 West Diamond Street, one single parcel for one house for 65,000. I understand this organization -- $65,000, yes. So one parcel compared to this vast amount of land that's to be given away for senior housing I think is not of value to our community. We need maybe a design contest or some open process that's transparent where we can determine as a community what is of the best value for our community, especially when you have senior housing already catty-cornered to where this proposed development will be.
So I'm not just asking for you not to vote on this out of committee. I'm asking for you to come. I am a certified tour guide. I would love to give you a tour of my neighborhood before you go voting on a project that's not of value to that particular site. I'll be more than happy to work with my 33 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. Councilman and Representative Jewell Williams, who, by the way, I spoke with just within the hour and I told him, Hell, no, this is not the place. And I'm not being disrespectful, but that's how adamant I was. I have done a cursory survey of our community, business people, neighbors, people who are affiliated with the school. They don't understand it. They don't understand why this hearing is being held while people's attention is on holiday. They want more information about it. They do not want it to be. So I would like to have an opportunity to come to each one of you bringing you documentation, and I would like for you to go on record today as saying that you would not vote for this to come out of committee until you have come up to the site, come up to our community and see where we can do this project. We have plenty of vacant land, but this is not the place for it. 34 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. Just not too long ago, a couple years -- you can consult with the Councilman; he'll be able to better inform you -- this site, money was spent to refurbish this site. Now, just within a matter of two, three years or less, we're going to just demolish the site and plop another senior housing right catty-corner to where senior housing is now. It's not of value on this site. We have had many senior housing. This is something that really concerns us, too. Iris Jeffries was senior housing. It's now Temple student housing. We have 20th and Burke. Forgot the name of what was formerly senior housing. It's now a shelter for women and children. So if there's such a need for senior housing, why are these buildings then being converted to other uses? I'm not stupid. I know a lot about financing. I understand maybe some housing can be easily assembled through 35 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. the 202 program and these senior programs and then after the mortgage paid off or whatever, they can be converted to other sources, but don't come to us with a back-door type of transaction wherein it will be converted to something other than what it is now. If that be the case, open it up to all developers. I'm sure we'd have developers clamming around our community just in need of land. So if we're going to do some development, let's open it up and get the best value out of that land and not just give it to a non-profit or anyone else that would not have a development that will be of value to our community, that will bring vitality to that corridor. And please know that I'm not looking for it to be as it was, but I ask you, especially you Councilpeople at-large, who represent me also, to talk to my Councilman about this, because maybe he has impressions on him only he will talk to you all about, but this is not the best and highest use 36 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. for this land. And that's what I'm requesting, that you talk about the best and highest use, come do a tour before you vote on this, and I thank you very much for your attention.
Thank you for your testimony, Ms. Robinson. If I could take a moment to respond to a couple of the issues that you brought forth today. One, with respect to community meetings, I would like to concur with you that we have not had the appropriate community meetings. This is a particular case that is a little abnormal in that there's a timeline. This bill simply authorizes the acceptance of a property from the School District to Public Property; i.e., PAID. It is not the final disposition of the property. There's always, as you know me, my practice, that any substantive development in a district, there will be community meetings to talk about the 37 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. project, to talk about the neighborhood participation in the project, to talk about the design, to talk about all of the things associated with this project. Our challenge here was because there was a request for funding from HUD 202, which is probably one of the most competitive type of financing that is due like yesterday pretty much -- today. So there was a timeline that we needed, at a minimum, to be in a position where we showed HUD that there was a process in place. Unfortunately, the developer cannot tell HUD they actually own the property, because they don't yet, but we wanted to show the likelihood that there would be some ability to have some site control. So that's why we were doing it as quickly as possible. And I want to thank again the School District for accelerating the process to allow us in a public forum -- actually, at two public forums to make sure that we were, at a 38 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. minimum, in the position to show that there's some chance. We will have community meetings. As you know, it's my practice. Second, with respect to the commercial corridor, as you know being a person in real estate and involved in development activities, a person who sells anything, at the end of the day they must have people to purchase. One of the problems that we've had in a number of areas in North Philadelphia is that our population has diminished dramatically. Therefore, it has been very difficult for us to get commercial corridors. As you know, fortunately we have a ground-breaking -- ribbon cutting ceremony finally for Progress Plaza Supermarket. It took us ten years. Every supermarket operator came and said, You just don't have enough people here. What we want to do is ensure that when they do their one-mile, two-mile radius to check on the population, that we have 39 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. adequate number of people to support a redeveloped commercial corridor. With resect to the basketball court -- and as we all know and love Kintu -- moving the courts, which, by the way, were done about ten years ago, what the plan is to do is to develop Winchester Playground to be a first-class facility, which is only a block away. Winchester has money committed from the State Representative, there's a commitment from my office, and there's also a commitment by the developer to contribute to the redevelopment of the Winchester Playground to put it at the level that it needs to be so we will have an enhanced commercial corridor. Second, believe me, I do believe that this will require a zoning hearing; am I correct? So there will be another public process that will require that the community has an opportunity to speak about the actual project. So I appreciate the fact that 40 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. you brought your concerns to our attention, but I would think that as long as you've known me, that you would know that I wouldn't do anything that's inappropriate for the community that I also grew up in and I love and have the blessing to represent. So we will make sure that there is complete public access to all information related to this project.
Councilman, just as a counter to what you just said, I know you heard the saying haste makes waste. To just push through a development project without community input, community participation, community want or community even need, I think would be not of value to your constituents. I appreciate that you're going to have community meetings, but community meetings before we get to trying to figure things out later, especially at this time of year, it's very, very important that community 41 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. participate in the very beginning of the processes. It appears that NewCourtland has spoken with our representatives, but they haven't spoken to the people. I don't know what type of studies they have done to talk about need. I haven't heard anything about that. I'm just giving them some things they need to come to the community with. Community participation includes talking about how we would have our center replaced. So I really just would encourage you all not to rush to vote this out for any good reason, whether it's funding or whatever. This is not the best piece of land for rushing into a development. Councilman, you said I know about development because of my background in real estate. Sir, I can tell you this: Land is of value in North Philadelphia, and if you as an elected official would open the process up so you 42 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. can find out that developers are interested in acquiring land in North Philadelphia, especially when it's that close to Broad Street, open this process up, sir. Give it a design contest. Give it something open and transparent so we can see. One parcel of land, 1800 block of Diamond, 65,000. I guarantee you if you were to put that large parcel on the market, the City -- we're looking for money, right? We're looking for taxes. Let's get it. Let's get it. Let's not just give away land. We're not hungry for developers like we used to be. I can guarantee you. I get calls daily. They want land. Okay? So please let's not rush this process. You may find that there's a better development for that site that will bring more value to our neighborhood and that will bring more money into the coffers of our city. So I'm going to leave it alone and let you all do your process, but I'm 43 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. begging the NewCourtland folk not to come to our community being disrespectful, thinking that you're just going to move somewhere because you talked to a few politicians. I will work very hard to make sure this development does not go there. We have too much land to have it just plopped anywhere without community input. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for your testimony. Anyone else to testify on this bill? Please come forward. (Witness approached witness table.)
My name is Derek Jackson. I'm a Board member of the Susquehanna Avenue CDC and also President of the Susquehanna Avenue Business 44 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. Association, and I'm here today to testify on Bill No. 090876. Me as being President and our Association are looking forward to a development of that area. Ms. Robinson just spoke about the Susquehanna Village at 15th and Susquehanna. That's currently where my office is, and we are trying to extend that commercial corridor. I agree with Ms. Robinson, we definitely need that commercial area developed, and there's plenty of developers out there, but this land -- we need a stable tenant, somebody that's going to actually develop the land. And as you know, that property right there at 15th and Susquehanna, there's a lot of developers -- there are a lot of them want Temple students. It may be a more profitable thing to put student housing there, but as we as a member of the Board of Susquehanna Avenue CDC and President of Susquehanna Business Association 45 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. believe that elderly people, people over 60, are more stable and they're from the community. Like I said, my office currently resides in Susquehanna Village, and every day there's mail with somebody wanting to move into Susquehanna Village. It's a beautiful building and they have great resources there. So there is -- I believe there is still a need for senior housing, especially with dementia and different disabilities, because we see that up and down Susquehanna Avenue every day. Again, I want to emphasize, we want this to be a gateway to the rest of Susquehanna Avenue. As you come down Broad Street, you'll see development going on. There's new stores and new businesses arising. We want to continue that down Susquehanna Avenue. And, again, diversity, we want to try to diversify. As you know, there's an influx of investors there that want to build multi-boarding home style for 46 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. students. They want to try and change the zoning from single-family to multi-family. And we want to try to solidify that community by having a senior center there and having commercial space on the first floor. What I envision on the first floor of 1500 block of Susquehanna is you'll have NewCourtland there and they have the commercial space on the first floor, but doctors' offices, rehabilitation, that's what I would like to see to come to that location, because there's a need for that. The nearest doctor's office we have is Dr. Gordon Parks at Broad and Dauphin, and then you have Dr. Williams on the 1800 block of -- I'm sorry; the 2000 block of Diamond Street. But to have a doctor's office right there, we already have senior housing on one side and you have another set of seniors on the other side, I think that will be a great asset to the community. 47 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. And in closing, I'd like to say I am a business owner there. I do live in the neighborhood, and also I am a real estate broker as well, so I understand the technical aspects of development. I'm here to lend my support to this development and to this bill so we can get the process going so we can help develop Susquehanna Avenue. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions of this witness by members of the Committee? (No response.)
There being none, thank you so much for your testimony. Anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
There being none, Bill No. 090847 is being held at the request of the sponsor. This concludes the public 48 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. hearing on the Committee of Public Property and Public Works. We will now go into the public meeting. Councilman Greenlee, please ask for a motion on Bill No. 090707.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No. 9 090707 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and move further that the rules of Council be suspended to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded that Bill No. 090707 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill No. 090707 is reported out 49 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. of committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for suspension of the rules. Councilwoman Miller, please make a motion on Bill No. 090750.
Thank you. I move that Bill No. 090750 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded that Bill No. 090750 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill No. 090750 is reported out 50 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. of committee with a favorable recommendation and with rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. Councilman Rizzo, a motion on Bill No. 090786.
Point of order. Mr. Chairman, you worked so very hard on this, I'd appreciate you bringing this out of committee.
Thank you, sir. And to any of my constituents and friends -- and I do consider Ms. Robinson a friend. I know I'm not supposed to be talking at a public meeting -- I want to assure them that the concerns associated with this bill will be dealt with. It is a good project. At the end of the day, I think it is most important that of all people, senior citizens are the treasure of our lives, to have an opportunity to continue to live in North Philadelphia. 51 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. So with that, Councilman Rizzo, a motion on 090786.
Let me see here. 090786, I'd like -- suspend the rules?
Suspension of the rules and report this out of this committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded that 090786 be reported out of committee. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill 090786 is reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation with rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. 52 12/7/09 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 090707, etc. This concludes the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. Thank you all very much. And I understand Mr. Holst has the information on the sales price, the cost associated with the development and the stimulus. Please provide that to Councilman Rizzo. You don't have to do it in here. We're pretty much done. You can do it now, though. Thank you all very much. (Committee on Public Property and Public Works concluded at 2:00 p.m.) - - - 53 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on December 7, 2009, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)