[UC] Happy Thanksgiving (if embedded images still go through) -- from Al Krigman
Thanksgiving, by Doris Lee (1935) **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
Re: [UC] New mystery zoning item
In a message dated 11/17/2007 1:58:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The area includes several stores, a few apartments, a laundromat, a vacant lot, the Restaurant School, and the closed Rite-Aid, among other things, so there are many possibilities. Anyone knowing what this bill actually proposes is encouraged to let the rest of the community hear about it. Excuse me if this is redundant -- I sent the maps for this bill before but it seems that they didn't go through. Maybe too much graphics. You can bill in its entirety by clicking below: _http://www.hallwatch.org/councilnotices/email/1194461682276/1194461750290/doc ument_src_ (http://www.hallwatch.org/councilnotices/email/1194461682276/1194461750290/document_src) I think it would still be necessary to go through the zoning board of adjustments -- although possibly at a permit rather than a variance level -- to get a liquor store approved for the former Rite Aid. But opponents as well as supporters of this plan would be well advised to check into it further. Enquiring minds aren't always happy when they know, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] New mystery zoning item
For people (a) worried (b) happy about the liquor store... here's what's in the Philadelphia Code about what can go into a location with C-3 zoning without a certificate from the Zoning Board (and therefore without a hearing): (.3) That the following uses shall not require a Zoning Board of Adjustment Certificate:_[91]_ (http://www.phila.gov/philacode/html/_DATA/TITLE14/lnx_fn.html#fn149) (.a) amusement arcades; (.b) athletic and drill hall, dance hall, theater, motion picture theater and other entertainment of guests and patrons as a main use; (.c) bath house and indoor swimming pool; (.d) billiards, pool and bowling; (.e) central heating plant; (.f) courtroom or courthouse building; (.g) installation of auto, boat, motorcycle or truck parts accessory to sales of same; (.h) outdoor amusement parks, athletic and sports fields, outdoor swimming pools, and day camps; (.i) penal and correctional institutions (public);_[92]_ (http://www.phila.gov/philacode/html/_DATA/TITLE14/lnx_fn.html#fn150) (.j) retail sale of picture frames, candles, ceramics, leather goods, with accessory making or assembling of same with hand tools only, not to exceed 1,000 square feet in gross floor space._[93]_ (http://www.phila.gov/philacode/html/_DATA/TITLE14/lnx_fn.html#fn151) (d) Car washing establishment, using mechanical equipment for the purpose of washing and/or polishing automobiles and other vehicles; provided, a Zoning Board of Adjustment certificate, as herein provided, is obtained. Such Zoning Board of Adjustment certificate shall only be issued where such use will have on the premises: (1) a waiting area for incoming cars accessible to the entrance end of the washing equipment, of at least 4,000 square feet, and (2) an area beyond the exit end of the washing equipment, of at least 400 square feet, so situated as to be usable for the hand finishing of the washing process; (e) Heliports, provided, a Zoning Board of Adjustment certificate, as herein provided, is obtained; (f) Accessory uses, customarily incidental to any of the above permitted uses; provided, that the accessory use does not occupy more than 25% of the gross floor area, and does not include open air storage of materials, equipment or merchandise. (g) An outdoor advertising and/or non-accessory advertising sign as permitted in Chapter 14-1604._[94]_ (http://www.phila.gov/philacode/html/_DATA/TITLE14/lnx_fn.html#fn152) I don't see anything that can be construed as a liquor store. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] An on-line petition and statement of concern, not a survey
Please accept my apology if there's been any confusion on something I posted the other day. I announced (or thought I did) this list that I had put a petition on line, for people in the community to use to express concerns about the proposal for the extended-stay hotel at 40th Pine/Baltimore. (It's at _http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kQBIJJQA5FvBVjpvgKR_2bCg_3d_3d_ (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kQBIJJQA5FvBVjpvgKR_2bCg_3d_3d) if you want to look at and -- at your option -- complete and submit it). This was not meant to be a survey in the sense of getting an indication of pro and con. It uses the survey monkey format for convenience, and I'm sorry if this has caused confusion. Although I'm not against creative uses of the property in question, I strongly oppose the project as presented. The on-line petition is intended to support that opposition. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman PS: The University City Review has a very basic for-uncommitted-against survey at their website, for those who want to be counted in this manner. It's on the bottom left-hand corner of _http://www.ucreview.com/_ (http://www.ucreview.com/) ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Express your concerns about the proposed 40th Pine project on-line
_Click here _ ( http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kQBIJJQA5FvBVjpvgKR_2bCg_3d_3d) to get to a website where you can express your concerns on-line about the 40th Pine project. (For reference: _http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kQBIJJQA5FvBVjpvgKR_2bCg_3d_3d_ (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kQBIJJQA5FvBVjpvgKR_2bCg_3d_3d) ) Brought to you as a public service by Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Sumner hits the big time
Move over, Edward Lear. University City's own poet laureate, the immortal Sumner A Ingmark, has hit the big time. His venerable verse, Tomfoolery, which made its debut on our own humble little uncensored listserv, has been picked up by none other than the widely-read, universally-acclaimed, and unquestionably-authoritative University City Review. ** Look for it on page 15 of the Nov 13 issue, next to the end of Karen Allen's letter exposing Mike Hardy's historo-hypocrisy. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** Profits from royalties on publication of this modern classic will be donated to the Fund for Restoration of the Property at 400 S 40th Street, to aid the destitute owners in doing what's right for the neighborhood because it's right, not as a bribe to let them destroy the visual aesthetics of the streetscape with a grossly oversized and arguably ugly hotel nobody wants just so someone can make a quick buck. ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] added details on the 400 S. 40th proposal
In a message dated 11/14/2007 12:00:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: does anybody have any ideas for what to do at halftime? besides marching in formation? or locker-room deals? For starters, go to the on-line petition and register your qualms about the project. _Click here_ ( http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kQBIJJQA5FvBVjpvgKR_2bCg_3d_3d) . Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Let's not forget the chance for a discussion tonite with the proposed developers
With all the give-and-take on the topic of the proposed hotel at 40th Pine/Baltimore, nobody reminded the list about the fact that Tom Lussenhop is slated to be on the agenda of the SHCA meeting this evening (7:30 pm at the Spruce Hill Christian School, 42nd Baltimore). The sign in the window of the SHCA office, announcing the meeting, invites people to join in the open discussion... and we know we can take them at their word. Especially about this topic because it's of such great interest. See you there. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] 11-Story Hilton Hotel vs the new La Quinta Inn Suites at PHL
In a message dated 11/13/2007 9:05:51 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: But yes, it was La Quinta that was mentioned Does anyone know whether La Quinta is a union or a non-union operator, and/or whether the firm doing the construction at the airport was a union or a non-union shop? Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] the shadow knows
In a message dated 11/13/2007 11:42:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Wouldn't seasons of the year and Daylight/Standard Time variations factor in? I do know that the Earth's axis is at a different angle to the Sun during the different seasons, and that because the Earth's orbit is elliptical and not circular, the Earth is at different distances from the Sun during the different seasons. Yes, without going into the precise figures (too busy preparing my questions for tonight!), the effect would be much more pronounced during the winter -- when the direct sunlight is most welcome -- than at other times of the year. Student of Euclid, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Messages from Roger - TESTING
In a message dated 11/12/2007 2:56:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: And when I'm on the water board, will I be naked or will I get to wear a hood? If the former, would that be considered torture for the torturers? Who said I have no sense of humor (or the macabre, for that matter)? Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] UCHS Prior Statement Regarding Historic Preservation
In a message dated 11/12/2007 4:39:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Please take note of the extreme language used to describe the enclosing of a porch. Please also note the opinions offered on how that one alteration would impact the overall area. If that type of language and imagery has been used by UCHS in its newsletter to describe the alteration of one building, what can we expect them to say about the hotel project's impact on entire streetscapes? There's something that makes this duplicity on the part of Mike Hardy and those of his colleagues who abhor desecration of the local visual aesthetics until one of their inner circle is involved. When the hubbub arose over the porch enclosure at 4323 Spruce, the owner of the building welcomed a recommendation by Arlene Matzkin (I may have the last name spelled wrong) for a redesign that complements the original building. He took down the original facade (which even I admit was not attractive) and implemented Arlene's design -- at, I imagine, no small expense. The point is that the porch infill was a change that could be readily reversed or easily modified to be made more compatible with the visual aesthetics of the neighborhood. And, even if the owner of that building wasn't so accommodating, someone else could have changed or removed the work in the future. Now, think about an 11-story 100-ft-or-so-long building running west from 40th Street in the midst of an area of 3- and 4-story twins and singles. If it gets built, it'll be -- for all practical purposes -- permanent both in structure and design. And neighbors who complain as Mike's article stated ... when a neighborhood developer shows a complete lack of regard for the quality, appearance, and consideration of his neighbors, I can’t sit idly by. I am of course talking about (the work at 4323 Spruce Street). Right now, it looks like he is building a bunker will have no way of getting any reversals or modifications. I know Mike Hardy quit this list years ago because he didn't like to read opinions he didn't share. But perhaps someone will show Karen's and this post to him and ask him to explain how he can think one way last year and take the opposite position this year. Maybe there's an explanation that has nothing to do with who's stroking whom. How about it, Mike? Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] 11-Story Hilton Hotel
In a message dated 11/12/2007 5:14:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Paying $5 million for the 43rd Street lot is great for the seller and the real estate agents, but what will the buyer have to build there to cover the costs of the land, building the improvements, and making a profit? Maybe the inability to make a project work without cramming in units indicates that it is economically untenable, a bad investment, and that the price for the land is too high. What we're seeing with the hotel project, and what you're suggesting in your analogy is, in essence, that the neighbors of a site has to sacrifice and forgo their quality of life in order to bail out a developer who could not otherwise make the numbers work. Interesting arguments, Lew Karen. Does this mean that someone who got caught in the recent price escalation debacle and bought a triplex of 2-bedroom units in UC for $500,000, and is facing mortgage payments upwards of $2,700 per month (that's $900 per unit just to keep the bank happy, before other costs set in) can get SHCA endorsement in front of the Zoning Board to cut it into 3 1-BRs and 3 efficiencies so it will generate more revenues? Or, maybe make a rooming house out of it. Spending that kind of money for a West Philly multi-family twin was a bad decision and the person who made it shouldn't expect a bail-out from the neighbors. Of course, you're not implying that the brilliant minds in the Real Estate Dept at Penn bought a piece of property for more than they could actually justify, and now feel they have to make 'the numbers' work. Why, if someone who actually earned the money he or she spent did something like this, they'd be broke. And if someone who was employed by a real developer (as opposed to the amateurs Penn apparently uses) did this, he or she would be out looking for a job. All of which goes to show that you shouldn't ask Stephen Hawking his views on the election in Pakistan. Or, if you do, that you shouldn't assume his answers are better than anybody else's. I'm very confident taking my dog to the Penn Vet hospital, going myself to HUP, or getting some occasional help from people I know at Wharton. But this doesn't mean I endow the Craig Carnoroli's, Glenn Bryan's, or John Washburn's (a janitor in the Moore School building) of that venerable institution with any superior wisdom when it comes to creating a better world for the rest of us. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] 11-Story Hilton Hotel
Something I forgot to add: I wrote, before, something that suggested the Real Estate people at Penn might not know what they're doing. An interesting proof of this came up in connection with The Radian being built as student housing in the 3900 block of Walnut Street. When this project was being planned, in Feb '06 (Ray Rorke can probably grab the citation), the DP quoted the great (now resigned) Omar Blaik, then VP for R-E development, as saying that one of the purposes was to force the local housing providers to lower their outrageous rents. About a month ago, the DP ran an article about the fact that while a few students they interviewed were willing to pay what Penn projects will be the rents at the Radian, most said they couldn't afford it and would continue to live in privately operated UC housing because it was a much better value. One might think that if there was any professionalism (how about an iota of common sense) in the Penn Real Estate ranks, they'd know what they'd have to charge in a building they were planning, and how it would compare with what else the market had to offer. If anything, as you might guess, the high prices at The Radian (and also the Hub and the Domus) will encourage private housing providers to ask more than they now do for their apartments. My colleagues from other parts of our great city often ask me how I can compete in a market that has some very big (relatively, they're small compared with Trump, Tishman, etc) players like Campus Apartments (who manage a big share of the portfolio owned by the University). My answer is that I couldn't ask for competition I'd rather have. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] 40th Street Inn : Huge Change demands public meetings and open disco...
In a message dated 11/11/2007 1:30:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: 40th Street Inn : Huge Change demands public meetings and open discourse Liz others: I have it from a reliable source that the project developers will make a presentation at the SHCA annual (election) meeting, this Tuesday (the 13th). The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 at the Spruce Hill Christian School, 42nd Baltimore. This was apparently not mentioned in the announcement mailed to members. With respect to statements circulating about whether or not the developers discussed this project in public forums, here's what the same reliable source told me in connection with SHCA: The only meetings with [SHCA] on the hotel proposal were with the zoning committee, and those were part of meetings with many other items on the agenda and were mainly informational any zoning application was awaiting resolution of the project at the Historical Commission level, and [SHCA's Zoning Committee] deferred any further discussion of the proposal until that decision was made. I strongly urge everyone interested in this project -- for, against, neutral, or undecided -- to attend the SHCA meeting on Tuesday. Candidly (most people know I'm no fan of SHCA so my opinion here is admittedly jaded), I suspect that Tom Lussenhop plans to make a superficial presentation like he did at the most recent First Thursday meeting, glossing over the primary community objection to the project (the height of the proposed structure), and take few questions. But a big showing of concerned neighbors -- whether or not they belong to SHCA and/or live or work within the nominal boundaries of Spruce Hill -- will make it necessary to have a healthy open discussion at the risk of being vulnerable to criticism of public meeting claims when the issue comes to the Zoning Board of Adjustments in City Hall. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Who can attend/vote at the SHCA meeting on Tuesday/Campus Inn presentation
Several people have asked me off-list whether they can participate in the SHCA meeting this Tuesday (Spruce Hill Christian School -- 42nd Baltimore -- 7:30 pm), if they're not an SHCA member. I don't recall SHCA ever turning anyone away who wasn't a paid-up member. So, presumably anybody can attend and hear presentations like that supposed to be given by Tom Lussenhop about the proposed 11-story hotel at 40th Pine/Baltimore. I don't know how open the chair (Cindy Roberts) will be to questions or statements raised by non-members, but she's unlikely to attempt to keep non-members from participating in open discussions. Non-members, of course, won't have the privilege of voting or of making motions. This may be important because it's an election meeting. And it also may be important because there may be some incentive to make and vote on motions with respect to SHCA's official position or instructions to its Zoning Committee with respect to the campus inn proposal. Traditionally, SHCA (and most other civic groups in this neighborhood) accept dues and register members at the door, so you can join when you get there. SHCA once had a brouhaha about denying a person a nomination for the Board of Directors based on that person's not being a member -- then refused to take the person's registration on the spot. So there's some question whether you can opt to shell out your $20 during the course of the meeting if you decide then you want to vote on something. If any of the above is in error, perhaps an SHCA officer (hello, any of you out there?) will correct me. Always at your service and ready for dialog. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] Polling place regulations
In a message dated 11/8/2007 5:43:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I recall from my training that a poll worker may not show a voter who to vote for inside the polling place. As a former duly-elected and highly-trained Judge of Elections (just ask Matt Wolfe for an endorsement -- and I'm not a Republican), I can tell you flat out that no poll worker is allowed to do anything like this at all. There are even very strict rules about the limited conditions under which a poll worker can breach the curtain of the voting machine to assist a citizen who needs and asks for help with something -- precisely to avoid any hint of influence. This is a serious breach of ethics and propriety -- not to mention the law -- and should be reported to the City Commissioners' office as well as the Committee of Seventy. Always at your service Judge Krigman (Matt tells me I have that honorific for life, which is why I'm butting into this particular thread) ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Fwd: [Ucneighbors] 1st Thursday update on the 40th St. hotel proposa...
In a message dated 11/2/2007 10:08:02 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I think it's interesting that this wasn't posted to *this* list. Yes... because both Lussenhop and Tony glossed over the part that a number of people on this list find objectionable -- and that the Historical Commission's Architectural Committee and the Preservation Alliance also didn't like. Namely a grossly out-of-proportion 10-story building overshadowing both the property in question and the houses on Baltimore Avenue. Candidly, the design -- amounting to a 10-story wall halfway between Pine and Baltimore, extending west from 40th street -- is an affront even to us Philistines. Al Krigman Left of Mies van der Rohe but right of Eero Saarinen ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Why I'm concerned about police deployment
In a previous posting, I expressed concern about the police deployment with respect to the killing that occurred outside of Koko Bongo on Sunday morning. Having 10 cops there because there had been an altercation the previous week seemed excessive -- and I wonder whether this heavy police presence contributed to the precipitation of the gunfire. The reason for the concern is the email message reproduced below, in which Wendell Lewis brags to the UCD Board of Directors about the control this private special services district exerts over the police activity in the area. I'd like to think that the chain of command for decisions as well as responsibility goes up through the ranks to the Captain at the 18th Precinct and eventually to the Police Commissioner, City Council, and the Mayor. Now, I learn that Messers Ceasar and Gray, and Lt McCurdy, are UCD officers and that UCD rather than the Philadelphia Police Dept will step up Police ... patrols in the area. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman Recipients of the email message (the UCD Board of Directors) were: Craig Carnaroli; Barry Grossbach; David Adelman; Della Clark; Dorothy Welch Berlind; James Tucker; Joe Trainor; Lindsay Johnston; Mark Mendenhall; Maureen Rush; Max Paul; Mike Brooke; Oliver Franklin; Susan Phillips; Tony Bartolomeo; William Schwartz; (police Lt John McCurdy). The text of the massage was: (http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf) This past Wednesday evening a robbery and arrest occurred at 46th and Larchwood. While the incident is troubling, I am pleased to report that an arrest was made by new UCD Officers Ceasar and Gray; both undercover at the time. Lt. McCurdy is trying to get information on the arrest of the second male perpetrator. The details are as follows: Date and Time: Wednesday 10.24.07, 11:00 PM Location: 46th and Larchwood Details: Complainant W/M 66 yrs. was approached by two B/M’s who began punching the complainant to the ground in an attempt to take his belongings. The males fled the scene; a short time later, one male was apprehended and identified by the complainant. The suspect was identified as B/M 17 yrs. The male was charged with robbery and aggravated assault among other charges. Both males were on bikes prior to the robbery. Description on #2 male is B/M in this teen’s wearing dark clothing. The police have been very responsive. UCD will step up Police and Ambassador patrols in the area. Lewis C. Wendell, Executive Director University City District 3940-42 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tel: 215/243-0555 Fax: 215/243-0557 ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] DP: no police misconduct in local gunfight
Shooting at 38th and Chestnut: Evidence points to no police misconduct in local gunfight Katie Karas Philadelphia Police officials are not investigating possible police misconduct in the death of Lamar Bembry because they have evidence showing that Bembry, who was shot and killed by police during a gun battle early Sunday morning at 38th and Chestnut streets, was among one of the shooters on the scene, said Lt. Frank Vanore of Philadelphia Police Public Affairs. Bembry allegedly opened fire while leaving the Koko Bongo nightclub at 38th and Chestnut at about 2:00 a.m. and was shot in the chest by police in the ensuing gunfight. Vanore said ballistic evidence revealed that police officers acted correctly in firing at Bembry. It also showed that there were at least two other shooters who participated in the gunfight, although no weapons from these shooters have been recovered. Philadelphia Police were already on the scene when the shooting began because there had been a few minor instances last week when Koko Bongo let out, Vanore said. Police temporarily detained a few suspects but have not yet charged anyone. They urge anyone with information regarding the shootings to contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-1776. The question still remains... why were all the cops there anyway, who deployed them, and was their very presence a precipitating factor? Enquiring minds want to know Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Three news reports on the shooting at Koko Bongo over the weekend
Channel 6, the DN, and the Inky all covered the trouble at Koko Bongo over the weekend, at which one patron died and one police officer was wounded. For convenience, I put all three reports online together at _www.nonid.blogspot.com_ (http://www.nonid.blogspot.com) ; it's the first item. This occurrence raises a plethora of issues for the community. Here are some to start: 1. If this club is known to be a trouble spot, has there been any effort to have it closed down -- as have other nuisance establishments in the general area? 2. There was apparently a fracas outside this place last week, causing someone (and if so, who... the 18th Police District Command, UCD, The Penn Police, Lt McCurdy of the UC ministation, the local chapter of the TonTon Macoute, other?) to have -- as the DN said -- 10 officers ... assigned to handle crowd control as patrons poured out... the officers attempted to move the crowd ... a small group of individuals refused to budge... When officers persisted, at least one man, Lamarr Bembry [who was subsequently killed by the police], turned and fired. To what, if any, extent was the gunplay the result of the way the police handled the situation (the way those who were there acted to handle crowd control, the arguably oppressive deployment of 10 officers at the place, the fact that two police officers resorted to gunplay with hundreds of people crowded around? 3. The building in which the club is located is owned by the same group of investors who own the former Rite Aid at 43rd Walnut that they're proposing for a state liquor store. What does this say about the ability of a property owner, let alone a commercial lessor, to control what happens outside an establishment? Enquiring minds want (and deserve) to know the full story, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Three news reports on the shooting at Koko Bongo over the weekend
In a message dated 10/29/2007 11:26:58 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: also reported in today's dp (top story on front page), followed by the usual anonymous online comments from people posing as penn parents/alums... http://tinyurl.com/2omp5r I missed that ... but have added it at _www.nonid.blogspot.com_ (http://www.nonid.blogspot.com) for anyone who wants to see all four stories and their different 'takes' on the matter. To Katie Karas' and the DP's credit, they raised the question of whether there would be an investigation of police conduct and noted there were no reports of an argument or fight inside the club before the shooting began... There was really no altercation. The police and private security presence in this neighborhood is overwhelming. Everyone knows (or should know) what Benjamin Franklin said about this: Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. And despite the Safety Ambassadors, the Penn Security people, the Penn Police, what Wendell Lewis refers to as the UCD police, and the regular Philadelphia Police -- we don't seem to be getting much by way of temporary safety. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Officer Wounded, Suspect Killed -- on 38th between Chestnut Ludlow
The item below is from Channel 6 News Notes (from me, not Channel 6): 1. Sandra Van Hankel, the police officer (not a sargeant) who was injured, operates out of the University City Ministation -- so some community residents may know her. 2. The way this was reported -- and I'm making an observation based on the reportage and not going anywhere near an allegation -- leads to questions as to whether the fact that police were on the scene ... because of trouble last week, rather than owing to a call based on anything happening this morning, had a precipitative/causative effect. And, if there's a possibility this was the case, who was responsible for the pre-emptive police presence -- the command at the 18th precinct, someone associated with the ministation, or (I shudder to think) UCD or the Penn Police. Worried about the situation on several fronts, Al Krigman Officer Wounded, Suspect Killed in Gun Battle Bystander in car also wounded By Lauren Wilson UNIVERSITY CITY- October 28, 2007 - A gun battle outside a nightclub left a police officer wounded and a suspect dead early Sunday. More than 30 bullet shells littered the street outside the Koko Bongo club on the University of Pennsylvania's campus early Sunday. Police were on the scene at 38th and Ludlow Streets because of trouble reported last week. When officers spotted several gun-toting suspects, the trouble started again. At the crime scene, there were actually four weapons, so we believe there were four different shooters there shooting at police. Two of the officers fired back at them, said police commissioner Sylvester Johnson. Five to six hundred club goers were present at the time. These club present a challenge to us. There are huge numbers of people who attend these clubs. They drink. They have weapons on them. They have access to weapons. It's a real problem, said Mayor John Street. The injured officer, Sgt. Sandra Van Hankel, was shot in the leg. Indications are the ten-year veteran never fired her weapon. The deceased suspect was identified as Lamarr Bembry, 21, from the 5400 block of Race Street. A man driving past the club was also shot. He suffered wounds to his shoulder and face. He remained at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in stable condition on Sunday afternoon. The shooting has to stop. It really does. It's just senseless, said the victim's fiancé, Maya Johnson. Police said at least one person was taken into custody, but there was no immediate word of any charges. ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Re: Best Places for Breakfast in UC]
In a message dated 10/27/2007 1:03:23 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Pier One is on Baltimore Ave, North side, several doors west of 45th Street (across from the gas station). Yes. And it's an example of a hard-working entrepreneur (Pamala Williams -- to whom you should definitely introduce yourself) who did it on her own, understood how her interests could be meshed with the needs and wants of the folks in the neighborhood, etc ... with no help in wasting money from, well, you know who. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Fw: Reminder: Friends of 40th Street Meeting Tomorrow
From: _PennPraxis_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 12:32 PM Subject: Reminder: Friends of 40th Street Meeting Tomorrow Dear Friends, This is to remind everyone that our monthly meeting for the Friends of 40th Street is tomorrow! Friday, October 26 8:00am - 9:30am Oshiver Community Room, 3901 Market Street We have an amazingly full agenda this month, so I hope everyone can make it! We will try to start promptly to ensure that all speakers have ample time to present. Speakers include: * SEPTA representatives will provide an update on the West Philadelphia El reconstruction project. * Tom Lussenhop will present on the proposed extended-stay hotel at 40th and Pine Streets. * Bob Hoe from Teres Holdings will show renderings of the proposed project at 4011 Chestnut Street and take questions from community members. * Gweny Love will announce some new projects of the 40th Street Community Arts Collective. We will also update the group on new City funding available for improvements to 40th and Market Streets. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Best, Andrew Goodman Friends of 40th Street -- PennPraxis Office 410 Duhring Wing University of Pennsylvania School of Design Philadelphia, PA 19104-6311 Tel: 215-573-8720 Fax: 215-573-9600 ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Breaking news about the Friends of 40th Street Meeting
Breaking news about the Friends of 40th Street Meeting Tom Lussenhop failed to show up to talk about the extended-stay hotel project at 40th between Pine Baltimore.. There may be some hope that the message from the community has gotten through to the anointed. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: FW: [UC] Fw: Reminder: Friends of 40th Street Meeting Tomorrow
In a message dated 10/26/2007 12:41:38 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Penn Praxis sent an e-mail yesterday that Al forwarded to the list today, and it said that the meeting was Friday Oct 26 from 8-9:30am. Karen Mr. Lussenhop and at least one other person told me that the meeting and presentation were scheduled for Monday, not today. We know they have trouble with the truth. Now, it appears, they even have trouble with lies. In dealing with Penn's Real Estate and Community relations people, it would be a mistake to assume some of the competence of the Physics Dept or the Vet School rubs off on everybody associated with the joint. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] local historical designation of 40th and Pine properties
In a message dated 10/24/2007 9:05:41 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: 400 S 40th St 11/1/1973 And this is the property in question. Al K ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Can you pull up something from the DP archives for us?
Laserbeam: Can you pull up something from the DP archives for us? I don't seem to be able to access it and you apparently have a better filing system than I do. In the DP of Feb 17 2006, in an article about the Radian -- which is now being built at 40th Walnut -- they quoted Penn's then-VP Omar Blaik as saying the competition provided by the University-owned housing will help knock down the high rents that students often pay for off-campus living. Of course, I made fun of this absurd statement and the usual suspects accused me of the usual accusations. Today's DP vindicates my commentary with the article below (_http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2007/10/25/News/Radian.Appe al.To.Be.Eclipsed.By.Rent.Costs-3056497.shtml_ (http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2007/10/25/News/Radian.Appeal.To.Be.Ecli psed.By.Rent.Costs-3056497.shtml) if you want to read it in the original). I'd like to get the whole Feb 17 article as so I can add it to the NONID website along with the current item. I'm also thinking about tossing it in their faces at next week's First Thursday Dog and Pony Show and would like to have the actual two articles as a handout. Ultimately always (well, almost always) right about Penn's monomaniacal hegemony in the 'hood Al Krigman -- Radian appeal to be eclipsed by rent costs? By: Cecily Wu Posted: 10/25/07 Last fall, College senior Jesse Benton was searching for housing. He realized he had two options: save money by living further away from campus, or splurge for a spacious apartment closer to school. Benton, like many other Penn students, decided the possible dent in his wallet was more important than added luxury, and he chose to live in an apartment near 42nd and Chestnut streets. His rent? A measly $400 a month. Cheap housing like Benton's won't be found at the new Radian Apartments, located on the 3900 block of Walnut Street, which announced last week that its starting monthly rents for one-to-four bedroom apartments would range from $1,025 (4BR) to $1,350 (1BR) per person. And while real-estate experts say Radian shouldn't have any problems filling its 150 units, the new amenity-filled complex - with a fitness center, WiFi, a game room and a private study room - likely won't be a housing option for low-income undergraduates. The Radian will instead serve as an option for students who want to spend more for the extra perks the building offers, said Rich Lauletta, vice president of sales with the Philadelphia Apartment Company. Urban Studies professor Sidney Wong and Claude Boni, owner of Claude Boni Real Estate in Philadelphia, both added that the Radian may not be targeting the entire Penn population. Maybe they're looking for the top 50 percent [in income], not the bottom 50, Boni said. University officials have long hailed the construction of Radian as a center of its plan to help move students east of 40th Street and increase the number of homeowners in West Philadelphia. But many students say that Radian simply won't be a real option for those concerned about costs. There's no chance I would live there, said College junior Dave Farber. I pay $670 for something with a bunch of friends. College sophomore Johan Tatoy agreed, saying that a lot of lower-income students wouldn't choose to spend more than they have to. Arthur Bye, co-owner of local realtor Urban and Bye Real Estates, said that while issues like rising construction costs and market competition likely account for the high price, the lease that the University offered the developer also likely had an impact on the rent. Penn is not going to lease it without making a good amount of money, and the developer has to factor it in as one of his expenses, he said. Penn Executive Director of Real Estate Ed Datz wrote in an e-mail that every consideration was examined to minimize the potential cost to students. Datz added that the rent proposed by the developer, University Partners, was evaluated, though he did not say if the rent was the lowest being offered out of the five developers considered at the time. The new apartments, combined with the recently-built Hub, located at 40th and Chestnut streets, and the future construction of a new college house on Hill Field, will also ultimately meet the goal of adding about 1,000 new beds for students, Datz said. Officials have also recently implemented the Neighborhood Development and Preservation Fund, where the University purchases West Philadelphia homes and offers them at market-level rates. That initiative has largely been used by graduate students, however, and Facilities spokesman Tony Sorrentino said that no new projects are in the works to provide more affordable housing for undergraduates.
Re: [UC] Secretary of the Interior's standards for rehab
In a message dated 10/24/2007 1:31:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: As I understand it, when the property was purchased in 2004, no one involved knew that the building was on the local register, so they weren't anticipating renovation costs for the Italianate house. And I've been told that they paid roughly $1.8 million for it, and that renovation costs for the house are expected to be over $3 million. So I think we can take restore it as a single family house off of the list of possible options for it. The BRT data base lists the owner as OAP Inc. According to the Penn Almanac (Almanac, Vol. 46, No. 22, February 22, 2000 -- lest I be accused of making this up), University City Associates, Inc. and OAP, Inc., both formerly for-profit subsidiaries of the University have recently been converted to not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporations with Penn as their sole member. So Penn owns it. Surely, the brilliant folks at Penn wouldn't have bought this without knowing little details like it's being on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. They are the Real Estate mavens of the neighborhood, after all. And, knowing this, they certainly would have known that changes so gross (in both senses of the word) would bring people on the neighborhood out to protest. Let's go a step further. Penn seems to have plenty of money to invest in its well-touted partnership with the community. And another step, great liberal (in the classic sense) institutions -- especially those whose charters explicitly or implicitly confer on them the obligation to inculcate in the emerging generation a sense of moral and ethical responsibility -- should be the entities that accept this responsibility themselves. So, having purchased the property, it wouldn't be a stretch to believe they intended to treat it as something of a treasure -- to find some way to utilize it in a way that enhances its original design. Melani's right. It's unlikely that some private individual would spend $1.8 million to buy the property and another $3 million to restore it. Maybe some developer would buy it and create condos with the same sensitivity to outward appearance as seems to be being done with the Isenlohr estate (42nd Pine). But the university itself might think about its place in the world and find a use for it that also preserves or enhances its appearance. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, housing provider, curmudgeon, and all-around crank, ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply
In a message dated 10/22/2007 11:59:09 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: My point was in regards to whether or not it's more beneficial to the process and the community for the developer to know the concerns of the community prior to the meeting. If Penn or it's developer (Lussenhop) wanted to know the concerns of the community -- ostensibly to get inputs and engage in a dialog to reach some kind accommodation -- they/he would have presented some basic ideas then held one or more community forums prior to starting the legal processes into motion. Getting this information the way he did, under the table -- as it were -- is just a way to prepare for objections, not to understand concerns and try to work with people who are worried about the implications as they affect the quality of their lives. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] architectural committee report
In a message dated 10/23/2007 4:43:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: It was asserted that the Spruce Hill Civic Ass. zoning committee held two open and public forums about Penn's plan. Mr Barry Grosbach was present but did not correct this or speak. Some of our neighbors spoke against this and Melani Lamond spoke in favor. Barry isn't a member of this listserv, so maybe we can ask Melani to find out when SHCA zoning committee held the two open and public forums, and how they publicized them. We're apparently not tuned in to the right wavelengths or, surely, someone on this list would have known about them and posted the information. Would you be so kind as to find out and let us know, Melani? Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman PS: Naturally, I was pleased to learn that the PHC's Architectural Committee did not see fit to approve this plan. While this isn't necessarily the last word on the topic -- the Commission doesn't always follow the Architectural Committee's recommendations, it's certainly a vindication the way many of us think about a 10-story block-long building on 40th St between Pine and Baltimore. I'm sure that Penn can come up with some alternate usages of that property that would justify its investment in the site and also evidence that famous partnership with the community of which we hear so much. ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply
In a message dated 10/21/2007 11:49:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hopefully without taking sides in this issue.I'm curious about your concern. Why is it better to surprise the developer with your concerns? It seems to me that providing the developer with time to consider your concerns allows him to more thoughtfully take them into consideration. Oh, c'mon Stephen. It obviously biases the proceedings at the Architectural Committee meeting. Does one side of a court battle tell the other its strategy? If, in fact, someone working for the PHC leaked this information to Lussenhop, it's a breach of conduct and ethics that could justifiably result in immediate job termination. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] West Philly Town Hall Meeting
In addition to the mayoral forum tonite at 4225 Chestnut, there's a West Philly Town Hall Meeting with presumptive-Mayor-elect Michael Nutter and other community leaders at the West Philadelphia YMCA, 5120 Chestnut St, on Wednesday 10/25, 6:50 to 8:30. RSVP to 215-545-9700. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] a good visual perspective on the site at 40th Pine
You can get a good perspective on the site at 40th Pine and its surroundings, then decide for yourself whether you think the proposed 10-story hotel will add to, detract from, or not affect the visual aesthetics of the area Go to _http://maps.live.com/_ (http://maps.live.com/) type in: 40th and Pine St, Philadelphia PA Zoom in as far as you can, then switch to birds eye view Use the curly direction arrows on the left hand side to change the bird's position to get shots facing north, west, etc. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Remember the West Philadelphia Mayoral Forum, Monday evening
Remember to attend the West Philadelphia Mayoral Forum this monday, 7:00 pm at the Intercultural Family Services Inc building, 4225 Chestnut Street. They'd like as many questions submitted in advance as possible. Send them by email to Bob Christian of the University City Review (who will be moderator) -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) If there's an overflow crowd, seating preference will be given to people who call ahead and pre-register. The number is (215) 386-1298 Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Date of PHC's Architectural Committee meeting -- correction
I unintentionally inserted some ambiguity into my posting about the Historical Commission's Architectural Committee meeting with the plans for a 10-story hotel at 40th Pine. Here's the official announcement. This is a good opportunity to help move this lovely addition to our neighborhood forward or to stop this destruction of the area's visual aesthetics in its tracks. Architectural Committee meetings are much less intimidating than what will follow if they vote to let the project go forward, so now's the time to be heard. The Architectural Committee of the Philadelphia Historical Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 23 October 2007 in Room 578, City Hall. ... The meeting is open to the public. If you have any questions, please call the Commission’s staff at 215-686-7660. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Stop the hotel and SHCA
In a message dated 10/18/2007 12:35:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: When Tom Lussenhop brought this proposal to them, their reaction should have been to reject it out of hand. Lussenhop wanted something that would destroy the character of the community forever; what would there be to discuss? An e-mail message that was circulated to a selected list, from Barry Grossbach of SHCA, indicated that the zoning committee had never and/or not yet been approached on this. I think we can take that at face value. Whether there have been informal discussions among those who may be key players in this area is something else. Given the cast of characters, it would be hard to imagine not. At any rate, SHCA's zoning committee meeting on this issue, if it is to happen, should be open to all. Including the deliberations and vote. if it isn't, the credibility of any of its recommendations to the Zoning Board of Adjustments would be easily challenged and discredited. Al K ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] University City tourism video
In a message dated 10/16/2007 11:40:15 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Mine's better. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1474992351211031065 Indeed, it's a whole lot better. Brian has captured the essence of springtime in Clark Park. The UC promo video portrays a false picture of what the neighborhood is like. The difference between home, sweet home and home: there's no place like. IMHO Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] An alternate town watch is being formed
The VSP Foundation is forming a Philadelphia Police Clergy townwatch which will cover a large area of West Philadelphia. For anyone interested , there's a meeting Thursday at 7:00PM, 52nd and Pine. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] STOP the 40th St Hotel Proposal
In a message dated 10/17/2007 12:55:38 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: 40th Street Hotel Proposal a Dangerous Idea Karen Allen, University City Good letter, Karen. And, Mary Goodman's disapproval of the project -- also published in the Review -- is squarely on the mark, too. Many of you may recall that I was strongly opposed to the historic designation of Spruce Hill, so maybe you're wondering why I'm against this hotel project. You may not know that I was a strong advocate of the newer Neighborhood Conservation District ordinance, which has the purpose of preserving the visual aesthetics of a neighborhood while not subjecting property owners to the expensive, time consuming, and -- I believe -- silly detailed strictures of the Historical Commission. The reason you may not know this is that, when I testified in favor of it before City Council, you weren't there. You probably also don't know that I introduced the idea of considering this as an alternative to HD as a motion at the SHCA annual meeting that year (after advising them months in advance that I would make the motion). But then-president, Nancy Roth, said that people didn't know this would be raised or they would have come (it was she who didn't put it on the agenda, of course), so she unilaterally tabled it (Robert's Rules of Order, where are you when we really need you?) and the motion never again saw the light of day. I'm all for visual aesthetics, when defined in a sensible way. What the Historic Designation advocates termed the architectural fabric of the streetscape. I can understand how removing a porch would interrupt this. I can understand how, in an intact and relatively uniform row of row homes or even twins, putting a big bow window where two separate original windows used to be would interrupt this. I don't see how changes such as vinyl windows on the alley-side of twins -- barely visible from the street unless you knew where to stand and look, or something like stucco on the back shed-kitchen of a row home affect the architectural fabric. And I think there's a big difference between a vinyl window, which can always be removed and replaced by something closer to the original, and a change that's irreversible for all practical purposes (like changing the size of a window or door opening. And I certainly think that a 10-story building that looks like it came from an on-the-cheap catalog rather than an imaginative architect, plunked down beside Azalea Court (its sometime name) on the southwest corner of 40th Pine utterly destroys the visual aesthetics of a block with a very pleasing character. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] STOP the 40th St Hotel Proposal?
The proposal for the restoration of the house and the construction of the hotel will be heard by the architectural committee of the Historical Commission on Thursday, Oct 23. This item is scheduled for 12:15 pm in the Historical Commission Conference Room, Rm 578 City Hall. There will be several opportunities for the people in the neighborhood -- for and against -- to be heard. This is a good one at which to present arguments related to the visual aesthetics of the surrounding streets. Another opportunity will present itself when the zoning issue arises -- starting with the SHCA Zoning Committee and progressing through the hearing(s) by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Architectural and zoning issues are not the same. This is the place to raise the former. The Historical Commission can't approve or disapprove the use of the property, but it can stop the construction of anything like the monstrosity pictured in last week's University City Review. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Philadelphia police clergy town watch meeting
The address for the Town Watch Meet I mentioned earlier, is 420 S. 52nd St. (52nd and Osage Ave.) at the Living Waters Christian Center. (a small church.) 7:00pm. Marty Cabry is involved, as is Van Stone (Van is a prime mover in it -- very active in the 50th Street area. This is meant to augment and not displace or upstage other town watches. Al K ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Bad enough that UCD has a Philadelphia Police officer carrying its card
It's bad enough that UCD has (or had, I don't know whether he's been ordered to stop) Lt John McCurdy of the Philadelphia Police Dept carrying its business card... they also have him listed on their website as a UCD Staff member. This is outrageous. I wonder whether the Police Commissioner knows that someone with the elevated rank of lieutenant in his organization reports to Wendell Lewis -- a person with pretensions but no authority whatever, and who is responsible not to the people of Philadelphia or its charter but to Craig Carnoroli of the University of Pennsylvania. If the Commissioner doesn't know this already, he will shortly. Lt (or former Lt) McCurdy owes the residents and business operators of this neighborhood an apology and immediate action to cease and desist this unacceptable identification as a flunky of UCD. He also owes it to himself to recognize the source of his status as a sworn officer of the Philadelphia Police Dept. Al Krigman Staff to reach the administrative staff, dial 215.243.0555 and the appropriate extension Lewis C. Wendell Executive Director, x224 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lori Klein Brennan Director, Marketing Communications, x227 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dexter Bryant Operations Manager, Public Space Maintenance Program, x239 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mark Christman Marketing Communications Specialist, x229 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Vacant Director of Operations, Clean and Safe Programs, x236 Email Gail Fisher Commercial Corridor Manager, x245 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carolyn Hewson Director of Neighborhood Initiatives, x247 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Chris Kingsley Project Administrator, x222 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Maggie Langdon Executive Assistant, x225 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lt. John McCurdy Commanding Officer, UCD / Philadelphia Police Substation, x241 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ann Mintz Director of Fundraising and Development, x226 _Email:_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Michael Reid Operations Manager, Ambassador Program, x233 _Email:_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Laura Snyder Graphic Design Web Development Manager, x230 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Michael Williams Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, x221 _Email_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) : [EMAIL PROTECTED] ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Re: FOCP Nominating Committee slate
In response to several requests, I have received the following as the list of nominees for office at FOCP for the coming year. It was noted that this is current but in a state of flux. Al Krigman President: Frank Chance Vice President: Chris Leswing Treasurer: Bill Moriarty Secretary: Brian Siano Shariff Ali: Director Fran Byers: Director Marty Cabry: Director Nicole Gaddis: Director Matt Grubel: Director Margaret Kasschau: Director Pete Malabar: Director Feel free to contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with any questions. ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] FoCP Fall Membership Meeting Oct. 17
In a message dated 10/14/2007 10:34:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: We need to choose leadership for our beloved park for the next year. It's not an easy task and we want to hear from all Members and all residents in this community. Is there a slate ??? Enquiring minds, etc., Al Krigman urban parks ... [should be] an influence favourable to courtesy, self-control, and temperance ... [and therefore] a gentle but effective school for citizenship -- Frederick Law Olmstead ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] FoCP Fall Membership Meeting Oct. 17
In a message dated 10/14/2007 4:58:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Still pulling it together. Come to the meeting and see who's running. It would be good for everyone to knoe beforehand. Defuse some of the criticism which would otherwise be inevitable. Might also prompt some people to gather the friends so they can run themselves. You know... that openness thing. Always at your service and ready for a diatribe -- er, dialog. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: Re: [UC] Transparency and openness … are the =?WIND...
In a message dated 10/12/2007 7:17:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Tell this to President Bush and Vice President Cheney, too. I'll take them aside at the state dinner next month for the Margrave of Brandenburg. Or, their moles on the UC list may let them know before that. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Transparency and openness … are the backbone of our culture -- but not at Penn
Below is an article from today's DP (the emphasis in one sentence is added). It may help explain why transparency and openness are so painfully absent at UCD -- being a surrogate that marches to the University's beat. Something else that's interesting. note the statement by Anne Klein, 'The rule in any kind of issue that becomes a crisis is that you try to tell as much a you can as often as you can,' ... being open about negative news is usually the best way to defuse a situation because mystery tends to make things worse. Ms Klein is identified as a PR person who handles crisis management for her clients. I believe, but am not sure, that Anne Klein is the mother of Lori Klein Brennan, (the infamous $78,000 UCD flackette), who has not exactly handled that organization's crises in an open way ... with the result that mystery has on several occasions made things worse and opened the door to rampant speculation. Enquiring minds want to know, Al Krigman PS: Lest anyone who can't take a joke accuse me of making some or all of this up, here's the link: _http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2007/10/12/News/Stetson.Departure.Experts.Say.Honesty.The.Best.Po licy.For.Stetson-3028828.shtml_ (http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2007/10/12/News/Stetson.Departure.Experts.Say.Honesty.T he.Best.Policy.For.Stetson-3028828.shtml) Stetson Departure | Experts say honesty the best policy for Stetson In high-level departures, candidness may be in universities' best interests By: Anthony Campisi Posted: 10/12/07 The University's handling of the departure of former Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson may be doing Penn more harm than good, crisis-management experts say. Ever since Stetson announced his resignation at the beginning of the semester, both he and Penn officials have repeatedly refused to give an explanation of the departure. Penn President Amy Gutmann has only said it was in the best interests of both Stetson and the University. But several public-relations experts say that, in cases like this, the best defense against bad publicity is openness and honesty. The rule in any kind of issue that becomes a crisis is that you try to tell as much a you can as often as you can, said Anne Klein, president of Anne Klein Communications Group Inc. Klein, who handles crisis management for her clients, said being open about negative news is usually the best way to defuse a situation because mystery tends to make things worse. The problem is that sometimes [refusal to comment] becomes the story, she said. Scott Barkett, senior vice president of crisis management for public relations firm Dix Eaton, agreed. When something has gone wrong, the quickest and simplest way to get it behind you is to disclose what you know, admit what went wrong and talk about what your next steps are, he said. Barkett also cautioned that organizations that avoid this generally accepted crisis-management tactic expose [themselves] to the possibility of creating a larger story. The upshot of this open approach can be seen in the departure of Marilee Jones, former admissions dean for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. When MIT discovered that Jones had falsified parts of her resume, both she and the school issued statements explaining why she was leaving. Ben Jones, an MIT admissions spokesman, explained the reasoning behind it in a blog post on the MIT admissions Web site. Many are asking why MIT didn't accept Marilee's resignation quietly, he wrote. The answer is simple: Transparency and openness … are the backbone of our culture. People needed to know the specifics to avoid the rampant speculation that would undoubtedly follow otherwise. Contacted by e-mail yesterday, Ben Jones reiterated that rationale. It was in both MIT's and Marilee's best interest to simply tell it like it was, he said. Marilee Jones' resignation became a national story, but as a result of MIT's openness, the school avoided major damage to its reputation. But Klein and Norm Hartman of TMT Worldwide said an agreement might exist between Penn and Stetson that forbid either from giving reasons behind his departure. University officials have not said any such agreement exists when asked why they refuse comment. University spokeswoman Lori Doyle said that the departure of a senior executive is not a crisis, and that it happens regularly at institutions like Penn, though she did not provide any examples of similar situations in which no explanation has been given for resignation. ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] I've been advised offlist that...
I've been advised offlist (noch besser) by ally and adversary alike that my assumption about the relationship between the crisis management expert (Anne Klein) and UCD's flackette was incorrect. Lori Klein Brennan is the daughter of Patti Brennan -- a restaurant PR specialist. mea culpa Eager to correct my rare unintentional errors and exhibit transparency and openness on public matters, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Not exactly an Ode on a Grecian Urn
Because with big plans they're obsessed, The anointed are now quite distressed, By people assorted Who want those plans thwarted And won't by a rant be impressed. -- Sumner A Ingmark ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Streets corridor money draws a Council crowd
In a message dated 10/11/2007 10:07:33 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Here's some good news Thanks, Melani. I missed that article. Do you know how much of the money is coming to our area, and for which corridors in particular? Also, do you know which community-development groups and other nonprofits in West Philadelphia will be getting funding from the program to do the development work? Enquiring minds (mine?) want to know, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident and housing provider par excellance ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] City Avenue - a BID is celebrated
In a message dated 10/11/2007 10:24:57 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Here's an interesting article (from yesterday's Inquirer) on a BID in an area with some similarities to (university involvement), and a lot of differences from (crosses city boundaries, has gigantic commercial spaces), UC. - Melani Lamond Thanks for that, too, Melani. The article didn't indicate things like what types of properties along City Ave would be subject to the surtax, or the rate. It also didn't tell what kind of budget they'd have -- in total or for the specific functions they'd perform. Come to think of it, they didn't say much about the functions, either. Maybe you know some of this and can share it with us. UC residents might be more interested in the Frankford BID, a bill to establish which has now been referred to City Council's Rules Committee. 1. It seems to be a true BID -- in the sense of businesses defined under the law as those engaged in trade and commerce -- in that it covers commercial properties along Frankford Ave from 1529 through 5343, plus some commercial side streets which intersect Frankford Ave, and a few on Kensington Ave, too.. 2. The functions will be what the affected property owners say they want -- just 4-day/week sidewalk litter pickup, twice yearly sidewalks steam cleaning, and some roving safety ambassadors. 3. The total budget is $78,000 per annum -- $20,000 for administration (no room for a $78,000 flackette or a $120,000 executive director), $5,000 for office supplies and postage, $50,000 for a contract with an outside firm to provide the litter ad ambassador squads, and $3,000 for a mandatory audit). 4. It seems to be an offshoot of a Frankford Special Services District, which was originally set up in 1995, so it has a track record for doing the job people want done at a price they're willing to pay. I haven't been able to locate an electronic copy of the proposed ordinance, which includes the plan and a listing of all parties proposed for the tax. But it's Bill No 070540 and is available in hard copy form from the City Council Chief Clerk's office at City Hall. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident and supplier of relevant information to help people think about issues for themselves ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] An independent condemnation of UCD and the NID (compliments of Al Krigman)
Burean-Lucien Blackwell City instead of University City?; Lewis Harris, Jr. By Van Stone SCOOP U.S.A. - Friday, October 5, 2007, page 11 It’s good-and-ready time for poor and low-income people in Philadelphia to stop making excuses about the down conditions of their neighborhoods. Every working family, regardless of income, must become active in preserving their homes and their cultural history. The business owner, landlord and resident in Philly looking for a good example to follow, for saving black communities and average-income-working- white-families living in a city district are in for a big surprise. You can forget about considering the collective that makes up the city district in West Philadelphia known as, University City. In University City, area colleges lead by the University of Penn, and allotted to Drexel University, Lincoln University, etc., in the district, are silently supporting an administrative body that will force second governance over the University City residence. The University City neighbors have a life of their own. Since the early 50’s working blacks and whites together embraced the street slang term University City as a new way to identify commercial properties and residential portfolios, including pedestrian lighting, sidewalk cafes, neighborhood signage, gateways, murals and schools belonging to their historical and cultural diverse West Philly family. A narrow part of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s district, then bounded by the Schuylkill River to the east, Spring Garden Street and Market Street via 40th Street and Powelton Ave. to the north, 50th Street to the west, and Woodland Ave. to the south, today the University of Penn is flexing it’s wealthy arm, uninterrupted and extended deeper and deeper into University City’s Burean-Lucien neighborhoods. If you have a lease you are part of the neighborhood. The University City District (UCD), adjoined to the UPenn, has filed a supportive document with the clerk of the City of Philadelphia to an agreement in writing between the City of Philadelphia and the UCD, acting to govern the University City area. That would mean its residents, landlords and businesses, and students, can not find this new governance unacceptable once the matter is passed. The UCD wants to conduct assessments for folks in University City to pay a separate real estate tax – To UCD. The UCD proposes that the name of the area formally become University City District, officially. The UCD has drafted what it calls a Business Improvement District Plan, or BID, to supplement the current level of voluntary contributions to its 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation. Since the UPenn has the will to start a war on Black Philadelphia Geographies, I propose that those watching this little war waged against at least 35,000 or more unfortunate residents in the University City consider this. Let’s block the way of UPenn by creating a new street slang term for University City in 2007. Here’s why. According to tax reformers a new city real estate method should be prepared by late 2008, which would project fresh assessments out in the summer of 2009 for the 2010 levy year. The City Council and the state Legislature approve tax relief protections such as homestead exemptions and property tax “phase-ins”. And speaking of city council, Councilwoman Blackwell, who is at war with UPenn adjoined with UCD will not approve tax increases to residents and businesses in the University City. UCD’s actions here are just one reason for Councilwoman Blackwell’s declaration of war against UCD. My best effort is and will be thrown in support of Blackwell’s war. VSP is geographically surveying changing the name of Univ. City District to Berean City District or Lucien Blackwell City District. What about giving low-income black and whites and college students a chance by using the compliment district name as one, the Berean-Blackwell City, instead of University City? Berean Institute has never attempted to create its own tax for better quality of education. Neither has the late Lucien Blackwell. But UCD has sought state legislation support for district, city and state tax in Philly for ten years or more. No name for their BID district could mean no district in power to tax working families. Write in or email me ([EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) ) your comments about this. And please check out the VSP Foundation by visiting _www.frontpagenews.us_ (http://www.frontpagenews.us) . ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] An independent condemnation of UCD and the NID (compliments of Al Kr...
In a message dated 10/9/2007 11:01:06 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, MLamond writes: Where's the link to this publication and article, Al? With a link, we can be sure this isn't a spoof, like your doctored article about Prince Charles coming to Clark Park _http://www.scoopusanewspaper.com/ScoopOctober507816.pdf_ (http://www.scoopusanewspaper.com/ScoopOctober507816.pdf) Your very wish is my command Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Oh, OK, I'll answer Melani's question before she goes completely on tilt
Oh, all right. I don't want Melani to bust a valve letting the steam out of her pici-like little ears. The meeting at which there was a sea of NO-HD buttons, which marked the turning point at which Councilwoman Blackwell ceased to believe that SHCA was the representative voice of the community, was on April 24 2002. Anyone wanting to read the report of the University City Historical Society on it can do so at _http://sprucehill.uchs.net/faqmeeting.htm_ (http://sprucehill.uchs.net/faqmeeting.htm) (this won't talk about the opposition, naturally; the proponents still thought this was a fait accompli and all they had to do was a better job at explaining it to us). By the way, where has the outcry been from Melani and the others who were then ostensibly so worried over the visual aesthetics of the neighborhood, about the 10-story (yes, that's 10 storys) hotel Penn wants to build through its developer-surrogate, Tom Luissenhop, at the southwest corner of 41st Pine. They tried do demonize me for saying it was OK to use vinyl windows in old buildings -- which could be taken out at any time if an owner wanted to put wood back in, but are mystifyingly silent about a building that will totally destroy the scale of the neighborhood and that is only reversible in the loosest sense of the term. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Re: Al's reply, or why many folks gave up on this list - Melani's foot
In a message dated 10/9/2007 12:53:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Al, you keep making references to Melani's foot. Do you have a foot fetish? I've never heard you refer to Liz as heavy handed, err, footed. Craig: Those messages were private -- offlist -- notes to Melani. She chose and chooses to make them public, for reasons known only to her (trying to punish me?) In private, Liz and I have on more than one occasion discussed her admirable Rubenesque qualities. She can confirm or repudiate this if she wishes (or keep silent on the topic), but she knows what I'm doing and why, in these situations. And the reciprocal is also true. But, then, nobody who knows either of us would use the word insecure as a descriptor. Al PS: As old as Ben Franklin? Why, Ben and I played stickball together on Charles Street in Boston before he came to Philadelphia and hired me to join him because he was having an infestation of type lice in his print shop and knew I was the man to save the day. ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Oh, OK, I'll answer --whoops, small mistake (what's a block among friends?)
In a message dated 10/9/2007 3:36:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Damn. I love that building at 41st Pine. I take pictures of it all the time. Penn is also destroying their one patch of green not on Locust walk by building housing on Hill Field at 33rd and Chestnut. Whoops! I meant 40th Pine. (41st Pine is being lovingly rehabbed by Chris O'Donnell and Grace O'Donnell) Sorry for the mistake; however, the question remains as to where are the people who were so eager to preserve the fabric of the street through designation of all Spruce Hill as a historic district, now that it's Penn that wants to rend it. 1. In case you didn't know, that particular building (40th Pine) was individually designated as historic under the protection of the Historical Commission -- but Penn/Luissenhop petitioned to have the designation lifted so they could build their 10-story hotel on that lot. I wonder whether Penn faculty member and Praxis honcho, Harris Steinberg, being on the Historical Commission had any influence on the decision to let 'em do it. 2. I also wonder what ever happened to the gospel according to Gutman that Penn was not going to do any more of this sort of thing in the neighborhood and instead focus on what they were calling the postal lands but has now been renamed Penn Park. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, housing provider, curmudgeon, and all-around crank, ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Frequency distribution of UCD contributors contributions
Based on the listing of contributors in UCD's Spring/Summer Quest. Note: contributions are shown on a logarithmic scale; a linear scale compressed the low-end contributions too much for good visualization purposes. The total number of contributors was 304. A combination of individual residents, businesses, and institutions. I haven't tallied the entire population from which the 304 was drawn. However, 304 is obviously a very small percentage of the whole. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com inline: ole.gif
Re: [UC] Frequency distribution of UCD contributors contributions
Whew ... that histogram didn't come through very well. Here it is as an attached htm file (which any browser can open) Al K ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] try this...
** See what's new at http://www.aol.com inline: Untitled.jpg
Re: [UC] Interesting item about UC Community Stakeholders in today's UCReview
In a message dated 10/5/2007 7:30:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Doesn't this also mean that we also have to remember that non-joiners are not the superior group of citizens either; they don't have the greater right to berate joiners and the groups they join? This is a good point. Writ even larger, it's at the heart of the much broader debate about individual vs group rights -- as in things like affirmative action and discrimination in housing. American society is based on the rights of individuals. My personal belief is that the individual neither gains nor loses rights by being a member of a group. I was afraid that without organizations to help them out, the citizens who take these projects on would, like me, eventually get tired and retire. The crux of the problem I have with many organizations is that they have an effect disproportionate to their actual numbers in the community they purport to serve. When their involvement goes beyond things that affect only themselves, they tend to assume the mantle of the anointed and make decisions that affect others without ascertaining and allowing for what those others need or want. This was the case with SHCA and UCHS and the historic designation issue. And it's at the heart of the widespread opposition to what many think is UCD's social engineering and it's NID initiative. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident and activist but (in general) non-joiner ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: FW: [UC] Interesting item about UC Community Stakeholders in today's UCRe...
In a message dated 10/6/2007 11:06:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: why, yes, we have. and it says so, with emphasis, right on ucd's website: Funding for UCD's programs and services comes exclusively from *voluntary* contributions from University City businesses, institutions, and individuals. But, take a look at the contributor list in the latest issue of The Quest -- UCD's own newsletter. You'll notice two things immediately: 1. The list is relatively short compared with the total number of people in the community. 2. The frequency distribution of amount contributed vs number of donors is what statisticians would say has extremely high skewness. The vast majority of donations are in the two lowest dollar brackets -- far lower than what would be the 12% surtax UCD wants to levy in the NID. And a very small number (how about one) real biggie, and a small cadre of large but not huge donors -- who, on scrutiny, are beholden to the biggie and are donating to keep favor with the powers that be and not out of any sense of community. So the quote above has to be taken with a dose of salt your cardiologist would not recommend. Always at your service dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] West Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum -- poster
At the risk of evoking Chris Hibbard's venom, I put the poster for the Oct 22 West Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum online so a copy would be readily available to everybody. Of course, I committed what the anointed will probably consider the sin of uploading it to my own company website. Here's the link: _http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf/MayoralForum1.pdf_ (http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf/MayoralForum1.pdf) For anyone who would be offended by having to click on anything with my company name in it, I think the following will do the trick too (although I'm not quite sure how to create a 'disguised' link, so it may not work... but at least I tried). _MayoralForum1.pdf_ (http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf/MayoralForum1.pdf) Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, housing provider, curmudgeon, and all-around crank, ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] UC Community Stakeholders -- posted on behalf of Tony West
In a message dated 10/3/2007 10:29:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I have been unable to post on UC-list, although I still receive its emails. --Tony University City Community Stakeholders is a name of convenience for a non-organization. Our sole mission is to prepare a series of public meetings at which substantive issues can be formulated in a way that can lead to substantive recommendations to any other body, having demonstrated a fair degree of non-institutional community input. The preparers of this process represent no groups and propose no opinions at this time, other than to acknowledge a degree of community concern about this subject. If we were to do more, we would be defeating our main objective by prejudging the findings of the meetings. -- Tony West ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Mayoral Forum for West Philadelphia Residents
As a follow-up to the preliminary announcement I sent the UC list a few weeks back, attached is a poster about the Mayoral Forum for West Philadelphia Residents. This will be held at IFSI, 4225 Chestnut St, on Oct 22 at 7:30 pm. Please note: 1. Seating is limited so to ensure admission, call 215-386-1298 to reserve a place for yourself. 2. IFSI is encouraging and will emphasize questions submitted in advance. Info about how and where to submit questions is on the attached poster. This forum is being co-sponsored by a number of local organizations, not including the usual suspects. This is an opportunity not only to ask questions of the two mayoral candidates, but to give them insight into what the real people of the neighborhood think about issues that affect us all. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Interesting item about UC Community Stakeholders in today's UCReview
Today's UCReview ran an informative item about the University City Community Stakeholders, spearheaded by Sharif Ali Tony West. As everybody knows, I agree with their objections to the lack of transparency in the way UCD operates, especially with respect to the proposal to implement a NID in the neighborhood. A petition, started into circulation at the First Thursday meeting orchestrated by Penn's, seems like a good idea. And is, indeed, the poetic irony Sharif notes. I'm assuming that the petition will be distributed further and wider than just this meeting, to get a truly broad sample of area stakeholders. I wonder about one point mentioned in the article. Stakeholders will draft a series of recommendations to present to UCD. Unfortunately, experience has shown that trying to engage UCD in a dialog of any kind is totally fruitless. The three community meetings that group held when it introduced the NID idea are certainly a case in point. One affected party after another rose to object to the proposal -- many making suggestions as to how the concept might be changed to be more acceptable -- but UCD turned a totally deaf ear. I fear that Jeremiah was right (13:23) -- the leopard cannot change his spots. Making recommendations to UCD won't help. And I fear that bringing the recommendations to UCD's overlords at Penn will be useless too, because the University is too enamored of the myths it spins about the wonderful things it's done to save the neighborhood -- with UCD being a key to that supposed remarkable success. The right place for the recommendations to be presented is City Hall. With our District Council member and the new Mayor. So a good opportunity will present itself at the West Philadelphia Mayoral Forum on Oct 22. I'd like to suggest to Sharif and Tony that they consider asking Bob Christian for a special slot on the program to make a brief presentation -- emphasizing the opposition to UCD's NID proposal in the community at large. Personally, of course, I'm convinced that the NID in anything like the form in which it's been presented is dead. But that doesn't mean some sort of SSD couldn't be effective and gain approval. And a well-conceived presentation in front of some of the folks who are and will be political powerhouses in the city after January could help to overcome the strength Penn/UCD wield by virtue of their big bucks. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
In a message dated 10/1/2007 12:11:08 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: why doesn't ucd just go away? Because Wendell Lewis, the Flackette, Carolyn Blackwell-Hewitt, and others have bigger salaries than they ever dreamed were possible and are fighting desperately to hold onto them.. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
In a message dated 10/1/2007 4:32:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: What do you mean we? I don't recall you showing up to volunteer in the Park or helping out with the festivals. Or doing much of anything beyond whingeing about UCD's pernicious influence. Hearing Ray talk about how we can get the job done is like hearing Donald Rumsfeld talk about how effective the U.S. Military is. Sure, we get a lot done... but it's not as if we can thank Ray for any of it. Brian: I think you, too, have missed Ray's point. It's about individual responsibility, not group participation. I didn't move to this neighborhood, nor do I continue to grace it with my presence, because I wanted to belong to a group. The underlying essence of urban life is the inherent benefit of lots of people increasing the likelihood that the things they find important will have enough support to survive. There may be some folks who like to volunteer in the park, for instance, because of the enjoyment they get from the camaraderie, the satisfaction of knowing they helped plant this or that, the recognition they get from having headed up a successful effort, etc. That doesn't make them any better -- or give them any more rights vis-a-vis the appropriate utilization of the facility than the person who brings his dog to the bowl or shoots a few hoops but doesn't volunteer or pay dues to FOCP. Al ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
In a message dated 9/30/2007 12:05:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The market owner provided the space in a small office next to where the Satillite Coffee Shop is now. Anyway, UCD doesn'tt own the buildings at 3940-42 Chestnut Street. The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania own them. Penn provides space at 3940 to UCD for office (and bagel distribution) use, and at 3942 Chestnut to the City of Philadelphia for police ministation use. So there isn't even that tenuous connection between Lt McCurdy and UCD. Rationalization and untenable assumptions by those who want UCD to look like heroes, hoping to rid the neighborhood of slumlords and others of the benighted unwashed masses, aside, this is more over-reaching on the parts of Wendell Lewis' minions to insinuate a private layer of government between the people and the legitimate authority conferred by: 1. The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter 2. The Pennsylvania Constitution 3. The United States Constitution. They're not going to get away with it. In large part because they're not smart enough to do so. And this business with a Philadelphia Police Lieutenant being made to look like a UCD flunkie just so they can advance their agenda, is an example of how bumbling they really are. Always at your service and ready for a diatribe -- er, dialog. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
In a message dated 9/30/2007 3:47:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Are you saying that Penn doesn't charge the UCD or the police ministation any rent, Al? There you go again Melani. Putting words in someone else's mouth so you can then shoot down what you then say is their argument. Very shallow. I didn't say this at all, as is plain to see. Why would you say the above? I thought, with others, we were through with this when you joined the other list and stopped posting here. Well, welcome back. But try to act more decently than the above implies. Always at your service and ready for a dialog (where I get to say what I say, not what someone else says I say) Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
In a message dated 9/30/2007 4:12:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time, MLamond writes: So, what DO you say, Al? Can yo expand on your earlier statement so there's no need to misinterpret it? What did you mean when you wrote: You're not that dense, Melani. I meant what I said... It's not complicated. I provided the people on the useful list with the information that Penn owns the property and provides space to UCD and the Police Dept. No more, no less. If you're so fired up to find out whether either or both pay for the space or get it free or under some other arrangement, do your own research. All you have to do is call Wendell Lewis and ask him, if you're so darn interested in finding out (as opposed to nitpicking or stamping your adorable little foot while the steam comes out of those cute pixie-like ears). Personally, I don't care one way or the other. It's not the least bit important. What's important is the fact that UCD does not provide the Police Dept with the space -- which was the false assumption someone made that I was correcting. Always at your service and ready for a dialog. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: Landlord meeting [was: Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia...
In a message dated 9/29/2007 12:12:09 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Your minutes and Al's posts don't disclose whether Al or anyone else asked the Lt. why he was using a UCD card. Did anyone actually ask him or better yet, criticize him directly? Yes, I did. Both. But, after the meeting, in private, since the point was relevant to his personal conduct and not to the meeting or to the safety and security issues he formally addressed (doing so in the role of a Philadelphia police officer and not as a UCD staff member). * I asked him (lame answer -- the Police Dept doesn't give us any of our own). * And I criticized his use of the cards to his face. In doing so, I pointed out the implication and advised him to cease using them on his own because I was going to lodge a formal complaint with the city (through Councilwoman Blackwell), and were she to take action, he'd come off cleaner if he could say he didn't realize the implications and stopped using them as soon as the issue was pointed out to him by one of the solid citizens. Enquiring minds want to know... and now they do. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
In a message dated 9/28/2007 8:58:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I know why AL is making this fuss Apparently, Melani has transferred her telepathic reception powers to you. I'll have to get out the lead-lined helmet I put away when I thought Melani had deserted us bagel-and-schmerkase types for the tea-and-crumpets set over at sweetbarkingcheese.com. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Belgian Blocks on Chester Ave
In a message dated 9/28/2007 11:56:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Loree Jones is not in the Streets Department. She's the Managing Director. And would someone explain why people are e-mailing her, as if she can tell SEPTA what to do? Because there was a post from SHCA suggesting that people email her and oppose SEPTA. I was merely endorsing that post but noting that people who supported SEPTA's position (which I do) could email her, too. And I thought I was doing both sides a favor by giving the correct email address (the original announcement had omitted the dot between loree and Jones. Also, you're right about her not being in the Streets Dept (she's Managing Director); I misread the SHCA post in that regard. Al K PS: It's still timely and a good idea for people to chime in on both sides. If nothing else, it will show someone in authority that this is a controversial issue, perhaps worthy of a hearing where alternate considerations can be discussed, rather than what may or may not be arbitrary and pre-emptive action. So, again, it's [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
In a message dated 9/29/2007 9:42:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Yeah, Al. THANKS for exhuming Melani and company on our public forum. We were doing just fine while they were over at UCBurghars . They’re back with a vengeance! Well, Wilma, they are annoying, what with their negativism toward open discussion, personal attacks, nonsequitors, and so on. And the solid citizens have enjoyed the respit from their mean-spiritedness toward others with legitimate viewpoints, however acrimoniously expressed, with which we may not have concurred,. However, they are part of the community so we shouldn't say things that make them feel unwelcome. You know, diversity and all; it doesn't just mean race, religion, and national origin but includes the anointed as well as the benighted and so forth. Besides that, I wouldn't want to sentence even my most outspoken and misguided critics to the benzoic sulfinide induced boredom of sweetbarkingcheese.com. Anyway, the three meaningless personal attacks on me yesterday gave me a good laugh, as they should you. Al ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
In a message dated 9/29/2007 3:58:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The most disturbing part, to me, is the UCD phone number and extension on the card. The police substation has its own phone number but UCD and Lt. McCurdy are suggesting we call *UCD* for law enforcement issues. That's just creepy. I notice UCD isn't inserting themselves in the SEPTA/Chester Ave./Belgian Block controversy, though. Like getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar? Or, the bagel and muffin box? Always at your service and ready for a diatribe -- er, dialog. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Belgian Blocks on Chester Ave
Dear Ms Jones: As a resident and business owner in West Philadelphia, I urge you to ignore the wailing of the people who value a few stretches of Belgian blocks -- many in a condition that the Historical Commission classifies as of low integrity anyway -- over the needs of the people of West Philadelphia. The blocks are hazards to safety when driving, as well as causes of damage to the springs and shock absorbers of automobiles that pass over them. More than this, as you know, SEPTA is in dire financial straits and owes it to the people who depend on public transit to upgrade its infrastructure in a manner that will minimize long-term maintenance costs. Preserving a stretch or two of Belgian blocks that is hardly a tourist attraction or a destination for middle-school field trips, notwithstanding Historical Commission designation as something (nobody ever heard of) called a Historic Pavement Thematic District, is too high a price to pay for the people who use the roads and -- especially -- the West Philadelphia trolleys. Alan Krigman KRF Management 211 S 45th St, Phila PA 19104 215-349-6500, fax 215-349-6502 on-line bulletin board: _www.iconworldwide.com/krf/news_ (http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf/news) website: _www.iconworldwide.com/krf_ (http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf) ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Belgian Blocks on Chester Ave
If anyone wants to email Ms Jones at the Streets Dept (supporting SEPTA or the Belgian Block preservation effort), the link posted in the original announcement was wrong. It should be [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, housing provider, curmudgeon, and all-around crank, ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Belgian Blocks on Chester Ave
In a message dated 9/28/2007 4:12:39 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Just keep a perspective on the source. We could keep a perspective on the source of your personal attacks -- which have nothing to do with the topic, of course -- if you'd have the decency to sign them, Mr or Ms email Chibbard, whoever you are. Or, does pobox.upenn.edu say it all? Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] suitable for framing -- alternate method of delivery
I posted a message with a good (scanned) attached copy of the infamous business card showing Lt John McCurdy of the Philadelphia Police Dept to be a flunky of UCD.The post didn't seem to get through. And, no, I won't assume it was a plot by the anointed to censor my contributions to the common weal. If anyone wants a copy emailed to them close-up-and-personal, so you can print it out in a form suitable for framing, or maybe use it as wallpaper on your computer, email me off-list and I'll reply with it. In the meantime, if anyone knows whether Lt John McCurdy has to salute Wendell Lewis, or if a hi, howzitgoing is enough, please advise. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny PS: This offer is not available in stores. ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
In a message dated 9/26/2007 7:20:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: According to Google, Lieutenant John McCurdy has been a distinguished Police Officer for 22 years and a Lieutenant. Nothing to be sneered at to be sure. The point I was making was that this Philadelphia police officer was identifying himself with a standard-issue UCD business card. Fostering the notion that UCD has responsibility for the police powers of a bona fide government agency. His use of these cards, rather than City of Philadelphia identification, is poor judgement on his part -- a distinguished officer though he may be. I seriously doubt that the Police Commissioner will take this lightly. UCD's providing of these cards to him is one more step -- admittedly small, but a step nevertheless -- in that organization's attempts to create a level of authority in the neighborhood between the citizens and their duly constituted government. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Who do sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police report to?
One would think that sworn officers of the Philadelphia Police Department, regardless of where they went in the morning to report for work, operated through the Department's highly structured and ostensible chain of command. I discovered this morning that this may not be the case. Or, at least, that the people at UCD and the police officer who has a desk at the UCD administrative building, don't necessarily think so. I attended a meeting at which Lieutenant John McCurdy made a short presentation, then handed out business cards so people would know how to contact him. Only, they weren't Philadelphia Police Department business cards. In fact, they weren't City of Philadelphia business cards in any form. They were (you guessed it) standard UCD business cards with lt. john mccurdy/city of philadelphia police department (all in lower case, as shown) where the name and position of a UCD employee would normally go. This is a serious, if symbolic problem. Especially given that many people in this area think UCD has already usurped too many powers that it should not have, given it's accountability only to its primary patrons. And use of this business card by a sworn City of Philadelphia police officer with extraordinary powers obfuscates the fact that the chain of command and responsibility goes right up through the ranks at 55th Pine through the Police Commissioner, City Council, and the Mayor -- without a nod to anybodyat UCD. It is totally unacceptable. Lt McCurdy is probably guilty of nothing more than extremely poor judgement. Wendell Lewis and the others who make the decisions at UCD are more likely guilty of at least trying to obfuscate their actual role in the neighborhood, and perhaps of making yet another subtle power grab. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident and housing provider ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] another window break-in
In a message dated 9/23/2007 12:40:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I want to find a source for the style of security bars that mounts on the inside and has a locking system that is simple for the occupant to open in the case of a fire but impossible for a thief to operate from the outside. Anybody know what I'm taking bout? Most of the inexpensive (relatively speaking, of course) horizontally extensible bars you can get at places like Monarch Hdw, Home Depot, etc now have: * screw holes on two faces of the frames so you can attach from the side them in the window opening (below the upper sash -- protecting the lower when it's opening and preventing the upper from being opened) or front-to-back inside the building on the window frame molding. * a means to unhook the bars from the inside on one side, and swing them open (ability to open bars on bedroom windows is required by the Philadelphia Fire Code for rental properties); the hooking mechanism is reasonably safe from someone reaching in and unhooking it from the outside, but you can always add some kind of lock -- just keep the key nearby. * If you use these inside on the window frame molding, consider getting two for each opening, one for the top and one for the bottom sash. You might also consider getting dummy TV cameras -- the models with battery-operated flashing LEDs can be especially effective in alleys. They're quite realistic -- and small (the real ones are very small, nowadays, too. You can get them on the internet -- find suppliers with a quick Google search. Always at your service and ready for a diatribe -- er, dialog. Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] more on 'anchor institutions' to Mom Pop
In a message dated 9/20/2007 4:40:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: but whatever was meant, I think we can all agree that the 'mom and pops' that are 'on campus' are ultimately (with few exceptions) all dependent on some kind of permit/leasing arrangement with penn? and so any 'mixing in' goal that's going on is really just 'more of the same'? A month or so ago, in an item in the DP that was reproduced on this list, statements were made by the wonderful folks in the Penn Real Estate Dept to the effect that there would be no space for local entrepreneurs -- more or less a synonym for the mom-and-pop operations being discussed here -- at Domus (or was it the Radian) because they were setting the bar on rents too high. Of course, to show that none of these people had been near Planet Earth for a while, they quoted figures greatly exaggerating the actual rents charged by mom-and-pop property owners for commercial space. So, while they implied that the Penn-property rents were about twice those available in the 'hood, they were actually four to six times as high. Earth, calling Craig Carnoroli. Come in please. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident and housing provider ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Zoning notice is up on Locust St side of former stores at 45th St SE corner
A zoning notice has been posted on the Locust Street side of what used to be three stores on the SE corner of 45th Locust. Not much detail. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, involved with properties on the adjacent blocks of 45th St ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] West Phila Mayoral Forum -- save the date -- Oct 22
I sent this yesterday but it seems to have gone missing in Cyberspace -- so please excuse the duplication if you end up getting it twice. Inter-Cultural Family Services (IFSI) will host a Mayoral Candidate Forum on October 22 at 7:30 pm. This will be exclusively for residents of West Philadelphia. Moderator will be Bob Christian, editor publisher of the University City Review. Michael Nutter and Al Taubenberger have both accepted invitations to participate. I am happy to announce (the $76,000 flackette would have pretended -- and reported -- I said delighted to announce) that this will not be run under the heavy hand of folks sent by the 800-lb gorilla up the street who bring you the pre-framed debates everybody has learned to loathe because they divert attention from the issues everybody really cares about. Save the date. More later. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, housing provider, and source of great information. PS: Sweetbarkingcheesers may copy this announcement to their little listserv -- with or without the sarcasm. ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] West Phila Mayoral Forum -- save the date -- Oct 22
Inter-Cultural Family Services (IFSI) will host a Mayoral Candidate Forum on October 22 at 7:30 pm. This will be exclusively for residents of West Philadelphia. Moderator will be Bob Christian, editor publisher of the University City Review. Michael Nutter and Al Taubenberger have both accepted invitations to participate. I am happy to announce (the $76,000 flackette would have pretended -- and reported -- I said delighted to announce) that this will not be run under the heavy hand of folks sent by the 800-lb gorilla up the street who bring you the pre-framed debates everybody has learned to loathe because they divert attention from the issues everybody really cares about. Save the date. More later. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, housing provider, and source of great information. PS: Sweetbarkingcheesers may copy this announcement to their little listserv -- with or without the sarcasm. ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] Yet more help from Hollywood (was stickups on 43rd 45th streets)
In a message dated 9/9/2007 7:09:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: On UCNeighbors, people do make provocative posts at times. But nobody ever posts complaints or gripes or snipes of any sort at any of the querulous souls who keep haunting UC-list, posting complaints and gripes and snipes about individuals who are no longer here. Apparently, they've all read and hold as gospel All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum. (Of course, Fulghum and I didn't go to the same kindergarten). Al Krigman So far left of Robert Fulghum I'm coming back the other way ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] yes, Virginia, there IS a marketing scheme
In a message dated 9/6/2007 3:53:08 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Vice President of Public Safety Maureen Rush said the branding effort has an positive effect on crime, as well; Does this means what the plain English interpretation says it means, or what Ms Rush would like to believe she meant when she said it. she believes the repainted signs let potential criminals know they are entering a protected neighborhood. If they know it, they sure aren't using that knowledge to modify their behavior. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [UC] A peasant's plea
In a message dated 9/6/2007 5:40:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Professor of Urban Design and City Planning Michael Larice said branding University City and Penn's campus using signs works to both mark territorial boundaries and influence people's perception of the area. Reminds me... In around 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany asked his cousin, Albert I of Belgium, if German troops could cross Belgium on their way to Paris. Albert refused, responding that Belgium is a country, not a road. Of course, Germany was the 800-lb gorilla of Europe and did it anyway. The message apparently hasn't reached the sanctum sanctorum of College Hall that University City is a neighborhood, not a brand. Of course, Penn is the 800-lb gorilla in these parts and will probably try to do what it wants, anyway. We can only work toward the goal that, like its predecessor, our 800-lb gorilla will fail in its ultimate quest to improve us right out of its way. Hopefully, the conflict will be much more rational and less bloody. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, housing provider, curmudgeon, and all-around crank, ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [UC] Yet more help from Hollywood (was stickups on 43rd 45th streets)
In a message dated 9/4/2007 9:48:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: What irritates me is there is yet another movie coming from Hollywood that glorifies the violence. What irritates me are the people who walked away from the real University City listserv to join the tea and crumpets set at sweetbarkingcheese.com, then cross-post to both lists. What's the sense of it. You either want to be part of the action on the UC list or you think you're too good for the world and stroke each other's egos at sweetbarkingcheese. Take your pick. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, housing provider, curmudgeon, and all-around crank, ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] Yet more help from Hollywood (was stickups on 43rd...
In a message dated 9/5/2007 8:59:53 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: You have to admit one thing: violence can be pretty frickin' glorious. Hey, if you're gonna talk dirty, keep it on sweetbarkingcheese.com and don't be cross-posting it here. We were supposed to be getting rid of that sort of thing when the ersatz tea-and-crumpets crowd picked up their croquet mallets and planted their wickets on their own lawn. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[UC] Interesting news item #1
No wonder Brandywine Realty Trust is so cozy with Penn. Look what they got in return for agreeing to build Cira Center South in cooperation with the University. Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny Brandywine/Penn Plan $775M Cira Centre South, By Marita Thomas, _Globe Street, August 31_ (http://www.globest.com/news/983_983/philadelphia/163680-1.html) PHILADELPHIA-Brandywine Realty Trust and the University of Pennsylvania have unveiled plans for Cira Centre South, a mixed-use complex on 14 acres at 30th Street between Walnut and Market streets and redevelopment of the 862,000-sf US Postal Service building. Designed by New Haven, CT-based Pelli Clarke Pelli, which designed Brandywine’s Cira Centre office building at 30th Street Station, the project calls for construction of two towers that will combine office, residential, hotel and retail space in addition to the rehabbed postal facility. Brandywine has acquired the main post office building from the university for $28 million. In addition, it has signed a 90-year ground lease with Penn for the post office truck terminal annex, which now occupies a full block. That will be demolished to make way for the Cira Centre South mixed-use components. These properties are one block from the existing Cira Centre, which is north of 30th Street Station. Redevelopment of the five-story postal service building and construction of a 733,000-sf, 2,400-vehicle parking garage represents the opening phase of the project. The building will be converted into offices for 5,000 employees of the Internal Revenue Service. The US General Services Administration has signed a 20-year lease, beginning in 2010, for the entire building. The renovation will preserve the building’s facade, lobby and designation as a national historic site. The redevelopment cost is estimated at $265 million, prior to any historic tax credits, which may be applicable. The new garage, half of which will be reserved for the IRS, is expected to cost $110 million. This phase is scheduled for completion in 2010. During redevelopment, the US Postal Service will continue to occupy portions of the building under three short-term leases for 220,000 sf through fourth-quarter 2008. Plans for Cira Centre South new construction are preliminary and “subject to market conditions.” Initially they call for two towers. One, on Walnut Street, is projected for as many as 50 stories, containing up to 500,000 sf of office space, a 225-room hotel with conference and ballroom space, and a 50-unit residential condo aggregating 125,000 sf. A tower on the Chestnut Street side of the parcel is projected to stand up to 30 stories high and contain approximately 225 residential rental units in a total of 300,000 sf, with 20,000 sf of street and lobby retail. Jerry Sweeney, Brandywine’s CEO, tells GlobeSt.com that the towers are estimated to cost in the range of $400 million, depending on the final interior configurations, “which will depend on market and financial conditions.” They are initially scheduled to follow phase one and be completed in 2012. Penn has agreed to lease 100,000 sf in the office tower for a 20-year term. Like Cira Centre, the Cira Centre South complex is a designated Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone, which provides a 15-year abatement on city and state taxes through 2018. For Penn, Cira Centre South represents the opening stage of its previously announced master plan, called Penn Connects, designed to expand athletic fields, offices and open space that connects University City and Center City. “ This marks a milestone for both our institution and the Philadelphia region,” says Amy Gutmann, president of the university, in a statement. “It will improve the urban infrastructure and character of University City, bridge the divide between the campus and Center City and create a vital new center of commerce for the region.” For Radner-based Brandywine, the project completes CEO Jerry Sweeney’s initial vision for Cira Centre, the award-winning tower, which was completed in 2005. “As a fully leased redevelopment, the new IRS facility accelerates the continuing renaissance of University City, enhances the value of our existing Cira Centre office project and acts as a catalyst for future activity in the surrounding area, including our proposed mixed-use development,” adds CEO Jerry Sweeney, in a statement. ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[UC] Interesting news item #2
The whole real estate purchasing market has been turned on its head. Huge numbers of investment properties are now for rent rather than for sale. Below is a news item indicating that a big condo project on Venice Island (in the Schuykill across from Manayunk) is being converted to rentals. This project was very contentious in Manayunk -- and got zoning approval partly based on the owner-occupant argument. Will this be Penn's next move with the conversion of the Isenlohr mansion (42nd Pine) to condos. The anointed at SHCA gave their blessing to this project -- switching their stand from the usual opposition to high density housing to approval owing to owner occupancy. What will happen if Penn decides it can't find any small families to buy their condos and wants to make it rental? Stay tuned to this channel. Alan Krigman KRF Management 211 S 45th St, Phila PA 19104 215-349-6500, fax 215-349-6500 on-line bulletin board: _www.iconworldwide.com/krf/news_ (http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf/news) website: _www.iconworldwide.com/krf_ (http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf) Dranoff Shifts Venice Loft Condos to Rental, By Marita Thomas, _Globe Street, August 31_ (http://www.globest.com/news/983_983/philadelphia/163652-1.html?type=pf) PHILADELPHIA-Venice Lofts, a multifamily complex on Venice Island between the Schuylkill River and Manayunk Canal that broke ground as a condo project in mid-2005, has been converted to rental apartments. In late 2006, the developer, locally based Dranoff Properties, decided that rather than sell into a declining market, it would lease the complex’s 128 units. “People, especially young people, are a little frozen now, says Carl Dranoff, owner. The condo market is unsettled, and they’re exploring their options. In addition, there are people who are unable to sell houses in the suburbs. There is pent-up demand for rentals, and that market is strong. “We’re owner/operators, and we have the financial capacity to sustain an investment. We’re leaders, not followers with a history of being ahead of the pack, and we’re nimble,” he says. “We made a very thoughtful, deliberative decision, and we didn’t want a fragmented community, so we returned condo deposits and actually have retained some of those buyers as renters. “Owners and renters often have different needs, and a fragmented community doesn’t fit with our luxury brand of properties,” he continues. Dranoff has developed numerous multifamily projects here, both rental and condo. Of Venice Lofts, which is located in the Manayunk neighborhood, he boasts, “there is no more superior product outside Center City.” The project cost, initially estimated at $45 million, rose to $50 million with added amenities. Dranoff tells GlobeSt.com that renting at Venice Lofts is pacing at about 15 units a month and 50% of the units are now leased. Rent rates range from $1,600 to $3,200 a month. The previous selling prices were listed from the upper $300,000s to the $700,000s. The 3.3-acre gated community is within walking distance of the neighborhood’ s Main Street of upscale shops and restaurants. The complex includes 38 townhouses in three converted textile mill buildings and 90 units in a new mid-rise. Units have nine-foot ceilings and high-end finishes and fixtures, and the complex includes parking, a fitness center, clubhouse and catering kitchen. Dranoff’s rental properties in University City and the Symphony House condo tower on the Avenue of the Arts in Center City substantiate his claim to be ahead of the pack. Symphony House just opened more than 85% pre-sold. Of the city’s current condo market, Dranoff says, “it’s cooling off. While it’s not as robust as in 2005, it’s holding up very well in comparison with other parts of the country.” In addition to the early timing of Symphony House, he also says, “we established numerous procedures to prohibit investor buying. It is the investor segment of the market that has fallen out.” Several planned condo projects have recently been put on hold and some developers have put land and plans up for sale. As GlobeSt.com previously reported, Opus East is another developer that shifted gears. Instead of building a 39-story, 292-unit condo at 1919 Market St., it is developing a 14-story, 257-unit residential rental property. ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[UC] Anyone have an Epson Stylus 777?
This important posting is for subscribers to [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:UnivCity@list.purple.com) only. Subscribers to [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) are requested to play by the honor system (or, at least, not risk being exposed to spewed filth or mean-spirited rants) and not read what follows: The Second Mile Center (book electronics store) has a box of about a dozen color ink cartridges for this printer at $1.21 each. They run over $30 each, retail (I'm not sure of the exact price). If you have this printer, this should be hard to pass up. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident, housing provider, curmudgeon, and all-around crank, ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [UC] New anti-UCD stickers
In a message dated 9/1/2007 4:30:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, fcarro [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: _http://www.flickr.com/photos/highstrungloner/1296397649/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/highstrungloner/1296397649/) Nice. But I have two questions. Perhaps you're sleek, edgy, and flexible enough to have the answers.When Penn builds those center-city-scale buildings on the property it bought from the post office, will our lovely, historic Victorian streetcar suburb still be left of center? And, will our funky vibes be stilled? Al Krigman Who'll still be left of Ivan Grozny ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] Re: LOUD rock concert IN 43rd St.
In a message dated 9/1/2007 8:14:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Don't know what advice to offer you, Ms. Mayer, other than to call Amy. Don't you have some pull at the President's office? You could threaten to camp on the sidewalk in front of her mansion and play loud Joni Mitchell records or bebop jazz till all hours of the night. Indignantly, Ross Bender I view a block party on a three-day weekend that coincides with the start of a school year differently than Ann does (and, admittedly, it's not within funky-vibe distance of where I'm sitting). However, I wouldn't insult her for expressing her annoyance as she has. Maybe that's the way they do things over at the [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) rude neighbor list. If this is indeed the case, you should have just posted there rather than cross-posted and polluted the civil discourse over here, under what seems to be the tacit assumption that everybody wants to read your belittling attack on both a rather nice long-time neighbor and the president of one of the great research universities of the world. We of the Proprietary Party, grounded in the principles of William Penn as we are, respect one another's opinion whether or not we agree. Al Krigman Holier than Cardinal Richelieu ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[UC] More on the tax reassessment from Philadelphia Forward (from Al Krigman)
After our last message, many members of the Constituency for Change responded, incredulous that Real Estate Taxation is truly so unfair, but the numbers just do not lie and our true examples drove the point home. Some asked for more examples and I am happy to oblige. Trust me, this is not hard to do. The system is a mess and anyone can find examples of inequity that makes the city's move to increase assessments and tax bills without fixing the system akin to fraud. Here, again, is the problem in a nutshell: looking recent Real Estate Transactions, two very different homes were recently sold for two very different prices, but look at the tax bills -- the more valuable home is paying much less in taxes. 936 S. 2nd Street Street (19147) $415,000 -- Purchase Price ($90,300 BRT Value) -- $2,387.97 Annual Tax Bill A 3-Story Row Home in Queen Village 7100 Wissahickon Avenue (19119) $150,000 -- Purchase Price ($251,700 BRT Value) -- $6,656.16 Annual Tax Bill A Detached 3-Story Home with detached garage West Mount Airy Every day that we do not correct this system is a fraud perpetuated against city property owners. The trouble is, I get emails like this... Our house's assessment went up by $3,000 and our tax bill increased by about $85. (We bought it for $20K more than the assessment, as anybody who can read the record of sale could find out.) ...from owners of properties who think they are getting a good deal and are fearful that if they appeal, they might pay more -- but they don't realize that OTHERS ARE GETTING AN EVEN BETTER DEAL. All property owners should appeal their assessments -- no matter how undervalued your house is, SOMEONE is getting a better deal than you and that is not right. To review appeal proceedures, visit -- _http://brtweb.phila.gov/brt.apps/OnlineApps/appeal_home.aspx._ (http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=406165181url_num=9url=http://brtweb.phila.gov/brt.apps/OnlineApps/ap peal_home.aspx)Appealers should cite nonuniformity as the reason for appeal -- homes with similar values are paying different tax bills -- as the reason for the appeal. As we move toward the October 1st appeal deadline, Philadelphia Forward will be working to educate Philadelphians about the problems with the current system and how they can appeal their assessments. As a service, we will supply homeowners with data and examples of homes that are dramatically underassessed -- paying taxes on 10 percent of their recent purchase price -- to substantiate their appeal claim of nonuniformity.Philadelphia Forward created an interactive web resource on its website to illustrate that similar homes in different parts of the city are taxed DIFFERENTLY -- and that some are paying too much while others aren't paying their fair share. You can access all the information here -- _http://www.philadelphiaforward.org/reassessment_ (http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=406165181url_num=10url=http://www.philadelphiaforward.org/reassessment) For more information about the Tax Reform Commission's conclusions about the unfairness of the current system and recommendations to fix what is wrong to make Real Estate Taxation fair and understandable, visit -- _http://www.philadelphiaforward.org/citywide_reassessment_ (http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=406165181url_num=11url=http://www.philadelphiaforward.org/ci tywide_reassessment) (http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=406165181url_num=12url=http://www.philadelphiaforward.org/citywide_reassessment) (http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=406165181url_num=13url=http://www.cafepress .com/philaforward.133453085) (http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=406165181url_num=14url=https://secure.democracyinaction.org/philaforward .133453085) Brett Mandel, Philadelphia Forward Executive Director WORST BLOCK IN CITY PAYS HIGHER EFFECTIVE TAX RATE THAN RITTENHOUSE SQUARE TOWN HOUSE Last week's Philadelphia Weekly offered a cover story about a particularly sorry neighborhood block. But, as troubled as the 3200 Block of Hurley Street is, residents are still saddled with a higher effective tax rate than a tony Rittenhouse Square town house. Here's the lead: Hurley Street?a tiny West Kensington side street between C and D just north of Allegheny, where residents park their cars halfway on the sidewalk?is so narrow you can stand on one side and spit onto to the other. The margin of error on streets this size is razor thin, and drivers here tend not to take much care. A lot of cars on Hurley get clipped, which is why so many are missing side mirrors. There's no reason to drive down Hurley unless you're here to cop a bag of wet, weed or Xanies. But then most of the buyers are locals on foot looking for nickels and dimes. Hurley Street, say cops who work North
[UC] Re: A Real Successful Blog, Huh? - Re: University City DIstrict August eNews
In a message dated 8/26/2007 6:28:56 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Craigsolve writes: Visit breakmyroutine.com to blog about your fave University City hotspots breakmyroutine, a new campaign is aimed at attracting visitors to University City and to increase awareness of University City’s unique dining, entertainment and nightlife hotspots while challenging you to do something different - to break your normal routine. Experience shops, restaurants, cultural and music venues, outdoor faves, and nightlife hotspots and blog about your favorite hangouts. BreakMyRoutine suggests that you discover new spots, share your faves and share the love. For more information, visit _www.breakmyroutine.com_ (http://www.breakmyroutine.com/) Reminds me of those commercials where Johnny T of Arkansas says that he tried Dr Wendelovsky's ointment as directed for 30 days and now gets off the porch and goes back to the barnyard every day to slaughter chickens with his strapping young sons. There's promotion and shameless self-promotion and the kinds of things produced by the $76,000 flackette (she got a raise). Alan Krigman KRF Management 211 S 45th St, Phila PA 19104 215-349-6500, fax 215-349-6500 on-line bulletin board: _www.iconworldwide.com/krf/news_ (http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf/news) website: _www.iconworldwide.com/krf_ (http://www.iconworldwide.com/krf) ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
