Holme Circle residents float idea for beautification of Circle 7
With repairs to the Holme Avenue Bridge complete, the Holme Circle Civic Association has turned its attention to the rest of the avenue, specifically, the Circle.
Serving three major roads and connecting the pockets of Winchester Park and Ashton, the Circle has seen better days. By PennDOT’s estimate, 40,000 vehicles pass through it everyday, prompting the HCCA to want a better impression form the neighborhood.
Talks of a beautification project began late last year when the bridge reopened, but HCCA members Joe Razler, Elsie Stevens and Mike Gould are now weighing their options for first steps.
“We haven’t set a fixed dollar amount yet to raise,” Gould told members.
The plan, if you can call it that yet, is in the early stages. Gould said the three have been asking around about designs and materials to determine costs, but nothing can be done until City Council approves an ordinance. Ideally, the HCCA wants two signs in the middle of the Circle – on either side of Holme Avenue – to welcome people to the neighborhood. A flag pole and landscaping are also in order.
To cut costs, residents were quick to suggest reaching out to local carpenters, designers and students to conceptualize and build the signs. They also pointed out the potential for for damage.
The Winchester Park sign was on everyone’s minds as they voiced concerns of vandalism and car accidents. The sign on Holmehurst Avenue was the target of vandalism and wayward cars for years before Winchester Park residents agreed to get a studier sign and place it nearer to Winchester Avenue than Rhawn Street.
“We’re not trying to encourage mischief here, but anticipate it,” Gould said. Graffiti on the new bridge likely means vandalism will be an issue on the nearby Circle signs.
HCCA members hope the visibility around the Circle will deter mischief, and Gould is optimistic about the Circle’s potential: “I think [the obstacles] are surmountable.”
Just a suggestion but how about a flashing “Stop” sign on Welsh road by the gas station. I can’t tell you how many times I have almost had an accident caused by people just blowing through that stop sign. Thanks for all you do HCCA.
Thanks, Lynn, for both the suggestion and the compliment. We’ll contact the city to determine how receptive they’ll be to your noteworthy safety idea. By the way, if you live in the vicinity of Holme Circle, please come to the next PSA #1 meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Torresdale Library on Holme Avenue to discuss any police related issues. (P.S.A. stands for Police Service Area).
Elsie – I would like to be a more involved participant in the HCCA but always seem to miss the notices. Any plans for a facebook page or e-mail list or webpage so I can be more on top of things. And thank you for the PSA meeting info. I’m putting it on my calendar.
First let’s start by getting the city to get the lights back on! Its so dark and hard to see people or animals at night with no lights. I think the flagpole idea with flowers and bushes that will bloom for all seasons would ne nice. That way, each season is colorful and something new each month blooms. Signs are just targets for kids to ruin. Its a shame that it happens.
Hi Kristin and thanks for your input. There is a Facebook group page for “Holme Circle”. If you cannot find it, just let me know. The group page contains information about HCCA and PSA meetings and happenings at or near Holme Circle that may be of interest to you. The HCCA meetings are usually the fourth Wednesday of the month unless it falls on or a holiday. The meetings are 7 p.m. at St. Jerome’s School Hall (or if unavailable because of a church event, we meet at St. Jerome’s School Library…directly across from the Hall). Meeting reminders appear in the FB group page and in the NE Times. Next HCCA meeting will be Wednesday, February 22nd. Hope to see you then!
Lisa, I believe you’re referring to the street lights on Holme Avenue, right? This topic came up once again at this past week’s HCCA meeting, and we have our councilpeople working on our behalf to expedite this. The lights were working for a few weeks during the latter part of 2011; however, for some reason, we are once again “in the dark”! It’s really a dangerous situation for both motorists and pedestrians. Stay tuned for updates! Hopefully, because of the constant traffic at the Circle, the kids will be less likely to vandalize a sign at such a visible location. In addition, we’ll be utilizing the latest anti-grafitti materials. Realistically, no guarantees here, but we’ll give it our best effort!
[...] to identify neighborhood problems, concerns and points of potential. Those will include the Holme Circle Beautification Project, neighborhood safety and walkabillity and, in coordination with BSI Constructors, the Stokes [...]