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NorthernLiberties.org - A Community Bulletin Board - Northern Liberties, Philadelphia
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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 21) |
| Author | Comment |
JM
 IP: 68.81.128.108 Jun 12, 06 - 8:37 AM |
List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
148 West Wildey Street 942 North 2nd Street 948 North 2nd Street 950 North 2nd Street 952 North 2nd Street 954 North 2nd Street 956 North 2nd Street 1148 North 2nd Street (aka 200-206 W. Girard Avenue) 959 North American Street 961 North American Street 963 North American Street 1034 North Bodine Street 208 West Girard Avenue 1028 West Berks Street 1801 Clifton Street 1817 Clifton Street 2620-38 West Girard Avenue (inc. 911-941 North 27th Street) 1917 Harlan Street 1021 W. Montgomery Avenue 1023 W. Montgomery Avenue 1025 W. Montgomery Avenue 1027 W. Montgomery Avenue 1029 W. Montgomery Avenue 1802 North Warnock Street 1804 North Warnock Street 1806 North Warnock Street 1808 North Warnock Street 1810 North Warnock Street 1812 North Warnock Street 1814 North Warnock Street 1816 North Warnock Street 1818 North Warnock Street 1820 North Warnock Street 1822 North Warnock Street 1824 North Warnock Street 1826 North Warnock Street 1828 North Warnock Street 1830 North Warnock Street 1832 North Warnock Street 1834 North Warnock Street 1836 North Warnock Street 1838 North Warnock Street 1840 North Warnock Street 1842 North Warnock Street 1844 North Warnock Street 1846 North Warnock Street 1848 North Warnock Street 1850 North Warnock Street 1852 North Warnock Street 1854 North Warnock Street 1856 North Warnock Street 1801 North 11th Street 1803 North 11th Street 1805 North 11th Street 1807 North 11th Street 1809 North 11th Street 1811 North 11th Street 1813 North 11th Street 1815 North 11th Street 1817 North 11th Street 1819 North 11th Street 1821 North 11th Street 1823 North 11th Street 1825 North 11th Street 1827 North 11th Street 1829 North 11th Street 1831 North 11th Street 1833 North 11th Street 1835 North 11th Street 1837 North 11th Street 1839 North 11th Street 1841 North 11th Street 1843 North 11th Street 1845 North 11th Street 1847 North 11th Street 1849 North 11th Street 1851 North 11th Street 1853 North 11th Street 1855 North 11th Street 1857 North 11th Street 1859 North 11th Street |
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Motown
IP: 64.80.198.10 Jun 12th, 2006 - 9:42 AM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
Where'd you find this list at? |
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JM
IP: 128.91.136.36 Jun 12th, 2006 - 11:14 AM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
Where did I get this list? In another thread I asked if this list was available. The next day it showed up in my email. |
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Mackerel
IP: 68.236.47.230 Jun 12th, 2006 - 4:36 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
WTF?? Isn't that Bodine St address owned by LauraV's bf Greg? The whole thing stinks, but this is a really fishy twist. 
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Paisley Turtle
IP: 70.89.45.42 Jun 12th, 2006 - 5:12 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
what do you mean by "targeted"? Is this a good or bad thing? I don't know enough about this list to know if it would help a N. Libber below poverty level or not. |
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Nick
IP: 151.197.52.253 Jun 13th, 2006 - 4:42 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
Yes, what does this mean for the neighborhood exactly? Does it mean that the city will use that land for building low-income housing? The properties that are listed represent a big chunk of land. |
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Nick
IP: 151.197.52.253 Jun 13th, 2006 - 4:58 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
I just checked the city's website and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority uses its right of eminent domain to claim under-utilized and/or blighted land. It looks like the primary purpose of claiming land like this is to build affordable housing. So my best guess is there will be a great big affordable housing development being built on second street just south of Girard Ave. Again, this just my guess. I hope someone tells me I'm wrong. |
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Paisley Turtle
IP: 70.89.45.42 Jun 13th, 2006 - 6:06 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
And why would you "hope someone tells you that you are wrong about affordable housing being built there?" People who work hard but are not "rich" also deserve housing. Poor people need housing too!!! |
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Nick
IP: 151.197.52.253 Jun 13th, 2006 - 7:10 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
I couldn't agree with you more. People that are hard working and not rich deserve housing as well. And since I'm one of those hard working people that isn't rich, I really value all the hard work that I've put into my home. If a housing project is built accross the street from my house or your house, we can pretty much bet that the hard work and money we have invested in our homes will go out the window because the property value will decline dramatically. That's just a fact. But I think it's a moot point. I didn't realize that the properties listed were the properties in question under Councliman Darrel Clark's proposed bill. I just read the article that explains it and it appears that the tract of land off of Girard Ave. will not be claimed by the Redevelopment Authority. It looks like the current owners of the land will be keeping it for now. |
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K
IP: 151.197.188.26 Jun 13th, 2006 - 8:31 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
7 years ago the neighbors of Northern Liberties put together a program for affordable housing on 2nd street, with the help and blessings of Redevelopment Authority. It was for low income artists and many of us are still living here. Our presence helped to make the neighborhood more atractive (artists are always heralds and pioneers) in a moment when the neighbors were working hard in making of Nor Libs what it is today. For us, it was a great opportunity. I am fine with the idea of Redevelopment Authority building affordable housing, it would balance the area, and I say that owning a condo on 2nd street and a couple of properties near Girard, in Kensington. |
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not PC
IP: 71.226.215.63 Jun 13th, 2006 - 8:59 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
I am so tired of the verbal PC diarrhea. Why does the poor "deserve" housing. Housing in a desirable area is something that one works for, not deserves. I work hard, didn't graduate from college till I was 40 - so I "deserve" to live on Rittenhouse Square, correct? To all of you bleeding hearts that feel the poor (which in America means those that did not struggle to succeed}, you should move in Nicetown (which was actually once nice) and donate the money you have saved to a "stuggling poor" person that wants to live in Nl. |
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K
IP: 151.197.188.26 Jun 13th, 2006 - 9:14 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
I guess we are all tired of each others rethoric, yet since this is an open forum we have to bear to see different opinions and deal with it if not with understanding at least with respect. I must say though that I don't see how poverty can solely be the results of lazyness or stupidity. Opportunity is not always democratic. I think we have to try to think beyond our very own benefit. But, hey that is OK, neither you or me have done any substantial studies about why poverty exists so to talk about something that we don't know in depth is mere especulation and therefore a realm you, and I and everybody else is welcome to step in and express our opinions, especially in a message board. 
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lj
IP: 68.238.190.12 Jun 14th, 2006 - 12:39 AM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
As far as I understand it the city has been using eminent domain to take land from low income people and place it in the hands of private developers. This is an unfortunate twist on the original purpose of eminent domain, which was to take "blighted" land and make it public. The city is responsible for providing "just compensation" to previous owners, which now results in something like $12,000 or so in a place where private developers will then build brand new condos. Now the big money stakeholders are using eminent domain to their benefit, moving low income people from one place to another and in some cases forcing people out who have lived in one home for many, many years and compensating them with next to nothing. Two sources for those who are interested: All for the Taking local documentary http://www.berkeleymedia.com/catalog/berkeleymedia/films/american_studies/all_for_the_taking_21stcentury_urban_renewal Root Shock : How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America, and What We Can Do About It book by Mindy Fullilove |
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CC
IP: 147.31.4.44 Jun 14th, 2006 - 8:26 AM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
Yeah, well that public housing project for "poor people" that exists between 7th and 8th Sts. and Spring Garden and Fairmount, really spruces up the neighborhood. Nothing like 12 year-olds screaming at their infants as their baby's daddy shoot dice in the courtyard to get that really homey feeling. Oh wait, I forgot, you hipcocrites never get that far West. You live in your tiny little cicle between 2nd and 3rd Sts. and complain bitterly about late garbage pick up, roads being blocked for a few hours and other "serious" issues. For those that support this kind of building, I would LOVE to see the looks on your faces if public housing was built in your vicinity. 
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DAVID
IP: 207.59.232.66 Jun 14th, 2006 - 9:29 AM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
The blighted areas I have read about became that way when big ship builders, and industrial businesses prompted the building of affordable housing for its many middle wage workers in areas with close proximity to work, then when those businesses closed the doors the people who lived in those homes had no work and did what they had to do, some left (read about the "white flight")some found other means to surrive in either case it wasn't the low income people that caused the area to become blighted it was a lack of work to support the population in the area that caused that change. It sounds to me like the new development in your area is nothing like the development that led to the blighted areas the city is taking back now and I hope I'm right that nothing like what happened ( what 50 years ago?) happens again. And CC your right about how uncomfortable it would be to see activities such as you described taking place in any neighborhood but is that going to happen with the new development taking place now? |
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K
IP: 151.197.188.26 Jun 14th, 2006 - 10:49 AM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
We have never complained about late garbage pick up or blocked roads or any of that sort CC. I have lived in a city all my life, Philly is actually the smallest I have ever lived in and know well what it means to be a city dweller. I don't mind public housing near my condo, if the area is to continue developing variety will help to keep prices affordable. The condos in the market are way overpriced, they are almost taking advantage of the buyer who may think the price is justified, I am afraid it may not. I read that Philadelphia real state is 16% overpriced so... |
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CC
IP: 147.31.154.179 Jun 14th, 2006 - 11:05 AM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
Uh huh. Right K. I know you're the real deal urban dweller who isn't scared off by little things like open drug markets, rampant and blatent child abuse, frequent robberies/muggings. Anyway, I'll tell you where you find some affordable condos. A place called Liberties West. Want to know why they are so affordable? B/c they reside directly next to the public housing to which I previously referred. My friend just bought a place in there. It's a nice location - very safe and uplifting. Whoever is actually in favor of public housing coming to their neighborhood(the urestricted kind I mean) is out of his/her freakin' mind! |
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K
IP: 151.197.188.26 Jun 14th, 2006 - 11:24 AM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
Thanks for the tip! I am not looking for a place right now but will keep it in mind. I do have though a couple of houses in Kensington and neighbors that live in section 8 at multi-family small buildings. I have never had problems with them though (my studio is in one of the properties and therefore I am there every day) old gentlemen hang out under a tree during the summer and kids play in the sidewalk, mothers seems older than 12 and always keeping an eye on their children. Of course I have seen abuse but even in the neighborhood "least expected" I guess that ill behavior is not only a poverty phenomenon, could it be? who knows. My tenants never had a problem either, their car and motocycle have never been stolen or the window crashed. We have not have robberies. anyways, thanks for the tip, and keep yourself safe. |
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CC
IP: 147.31.4.44 Jun 14th, 2006 - 11:44 AM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
Those are some gentle-sounding section 8 residences. Sounds like you lucked out. No wonder you don't mind living among that scene. That would be cool with me too. Alright, enough of this argument. Just be careful what you wish for. |
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Matt Ruben
IP: 68.80.184.136 Jun 14th, 2006 - 12:01 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
The Land Some of the properties on the RDA list in question were to be conveyed to Temple University, and apparently Temple was/is planning to build research labls or similar buildings on those properties. At last week's City Council session, Councilman Clarke said that some of the residents of the current properties (in North Philly, presumably the 11th St ones) had residents who were going to be bought out and moved to new housing that (I think) is already ready for them. The controversy sprang up because of the set of properties on the RDA list that were here in the eastern half of NL, and also in Councilman DiCicco's district. These properties were slated to be conveyed to Bart Blatstein (when I say "Bart Blatstein" I mean Tower Investments, Northern Liberties Development LP, or one of his other corporations - I refer to him by name because I don't know which of his corporations was slated to take possession of the land). The Outcome Last Thursday, after conferring with Councilman DiCicco and Temple, Councilman Clarke put the RDA bill on hold. When Council resumes session in September, the bill will be reintroduced, minus the NL parcels. The RDA and Eminent Domain Whatever one feels about affordable housing, the taking of land from private individuals to give it to a private developer for market-rate development not only violates the spirit of eminent domain, it's also directly counter to the stated purpose of the Model Cities program under which the RDA was seeking to get the land in question. And it's also prohibited by new legislation being passed by City Council (as we speak, if I'm not mistaken). Moreover, some of the parcels are owned by other developers. One has already been through NLNA zoning and is slated to be turned into rather expensive market-rate condos with a commercial first floor. Another is sitting vacant, but is owned by a developer who is very active with other, nearby projects and will likely get going on this property in the near future - very similar to the situation with Mr. Blatstein, who owns several vacant, unoccupied and/or undeveloped properties in NL, which I'm sure he will get to when he finishes work on his active projects. My point is that there is nothing "blighted" about the area or the parcels in NL that were on the RDA list. Had it gone through, it would've been very hard to argue that it was anything other than a land grab, taking land from people intending to create market-rate developments and giving it to someone else who intended to do the same thing. The only difference would have been which person or entity reaped the financial reward. This kind of land transfer has nothing to do with the purpose or goals of eminent domain or the RDA. If a private developer wants to obtain land from another private developer or from a homeowner, he is free to make an offer and the owner is free to sell - or not sell. End of story. Affordable Housing Finally, as for affordable housing, I believe a little perspective is in order. Section 8 rental housing is one form of affordable housing. There are other mechanisms for affordable rentals, and there are also many types of affordable housing for homeownership, not rental. The problems people hear about come from Section 8 specifically, and more specifically from large tracts of Section 8 being built in concentrated locations. Scatter-site housing, mixed-income housing, and affordable housing for ownership have had tremendous success nationwide. It's also worth noting that virtually every bit of new affordable housing for ownership that's built in Philadelphia requires prospective owners to finance a mortgage of $100,000-150,000 or more. The overwhelming majority of NL residents who bought homes here prior to 2001 paid much less than that for their homes, and I can say for myself that I couldn't afford to buy a home here at the prices that existed six months after I moved in, let alone today. Moreover, a home buyer who today purchases a $125,000 "affordable" home will have a mortgage payment about the same as a "market rate" buyer who bought a home for $200,000 in, say, 2003, when interest rates were much lower. So the definition of affordability is relative - as is one's perceptions of who lives in affordable housing. Best, Matt --- Matt Ruben Member, Board of Directors Northern Liberties Neighbors Association 733 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123 215-627-NLNA; www.nlna.org matt.ruben@nlna.org |
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Paisley Turtle
IP: 70.89.45.42 Jun 14th, 2006 - 12:24 PM |
Re: List of Properties Targeted by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
Dear Matt, Once again you champion for those of us who HAVE worked hard, who HAVE sacrified and stuggled, but just can't seem to get our heads above water, let alone be able to buy a home in this neighborhood. You have educated yourself pertaining to the facts and still maintain your compassion and empathy. Thanks again Matt. After reading some of these replies I don't WANT to buy a home in NL, even if I could afford to do so. I don't want to live where there are so many hypocrites. I hope to be able to buy a home soon and I will look for a neighborhood where people are appreciated for their hard work and struggle, not ridiculed for it. At least the conversation was started. Some of us are actually afraid to speak up because of retribution from our landlords, etc. Keep up the good work Matt. Wherever your career takes you please count on me to help. |
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