Actually, even _more_ context is needed, because the Belgian Block issue
is, frankly, nowhere near as important as another.
The section of water runoff/sewer under Chester Avenue, between 43rd and
45th streets, is in serious need of repair. It's clogged, routinely
floods, and a great deal of the damage to the street above is directly
attributable to the problems underground. SEPTA has not address this
important problem _at all_: they'll be repairing track on a stretch of
road that's prone to floods and erosion. (Also, in their construction
proposal, there doesn't seem to be any provision to prevent construction
spilloff into the Bowl.)
The area hasn't been repaired because of the jurisdictional conflict:
the road's a state road, so SEPTA handles that, but the water runoff is
handled by the Philadelphia Water Dept., I believe. And there's also
coordination needed with Streets, and Rec's in this too, as there's an
impact on Clark Park. (The FoCP is also concerned about the pedestrian
crossings and how well it'll all integrate with the water and path
issues of our Park A project.)
So while SEPTA hasn't consulted properly with the city on this project,
we can take this opportunity to urge cooperation between state and city
agencies, and get the sewer and street and trolley tracks repaired as
they should be repaired. So, if you're going to write a letter to a city
representative, I would _strongly_ urge everyone all to focus on the
most important issue: getting SEPTA on board towards fixing the sewer
line so the street doesn't flood and collapse. We're going to need a LOT
of help on this issue.
You can talk about Belgian Block all you want, but this is the main issue.
UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN wrote:
additional context:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: SEPTA Chester Avenue Track Project
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:48:57 -0400
From: B Andersen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CC: pfsni list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
[EMAIL PROTECTED],
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dear Ms. Jones,
I strongly urge you to force SEPTA to comply with the permit
requirements for this project and to preserve as much of the Belgian
block paving between the tracks as possible as required by the
Philadelphia Historical Commission. SEPTA has dealt with my
neighborhood in a most cavalier and inconsiderate manner by notifying
us at the last hour and acting as if nothing can stand in the way of
their plan for this project.
Sincerely,
Bruce Andersen
1108 S 46th St Apt 201
Philadelphia, PA 19143-3732
> -------- End Original Message --------
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
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>
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