Image/Philadelphia City Planning Commission

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission has scheduled its second meeting for the Lower Northeast District.

Stakeholders from Frankford, Northwood, Summerdale, Lawncrest, Oxford Circle and part of Castor Gardens first met in early April to identify their neighborhoods’ strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. They gathered around seven large maps of the area to discuss the assets and detractors. continue reading »

Q: I have been renting for a couple months in Northeast Philadelphia and now I want to buy a home here, but I’m from Baltimore and I need to know the area as much as I can before I actually settle down here. I’m thinking I probably don’t want to spend more than $100,000 for a home. What neighborhood do you think I should start in? 

A: Since your target price is under $100,000, you’ll need to get to know the neighborhoods in your price range.

Start checking out the lower Northeast’s 19135, 19136, or 19149 zip codes in Mayfair, Tacony, Holmesburg, Wissinoming and Castor Gardens. While there are deals to be had all over Northeast Philadelphia, these neighborhoods fall in the price category you’re looking. continue reading »

When it rains it pours.

Not only is Philly.com having trouble with its map again, but the reporters are still struggling with using the Castor Gardens’ whole name.

A news brief published March 19 about a car accident on the 1700-block of Cottman Avenue was set in “the City’s Castor section.” continue reading »

Solis-Cohen (A) and Pollock (B) schools are two of Philadelphia's top 12 feeder schools for Masterman High School. Image/Google Maps

Getting into the  Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Center City isn’t easy.

It’s the 45th-best public high school in the country, sends most of its graduates to four-year colleges and attracts students from all over the city. Including Northeast Philadelphia.

As part of an in-depth report on Masterman and its accessibility, the Public School Notebook found the top 12 School District of Philadelphia feeder schools that send students to Masterman’s at the fifth grade level – the easiest way to guarantee a spot in the high school. continue reading »

A Lower Northeast District map marked with residents' opinions of neighborhoods assets and obstacles. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Seven tables, 14 city planners and seven maps marked up in blue, red, black and orange filled a Friends Hospital conference room last night.

They were signs of the first of three community planning meetings for the Lower Northeast District – the Philadelphia City Planning Commission’s distinction for Frankford, Northwood, Summerdale, Lawncrest, Oxford Circle and part of Castor Gardens. The district is one of 18 identified by the commission and is next on tap to develop ideas for future planning and zoning opportunities under the comprehensive Philadelphia2035 plan. continue reading »

NEast Links: Bringing you additional Northeast news

A teenager was fatally shot overnight in Wissinoming. The 18-year-old was pronounced dead at Aria Health-Torresdale, but it’s still unclear if he was shot where he was found on the 5800-block of Frankford Avenue [CBS3].

The Northeast tire-slashing problem has crossed the Boulevard. The tires of nine vehicles on the 1200-block of McKinley Street were slashed over the weekend [CBS3].

One person was arrested early Saturday morning after crashing his car into the Castor Gardens Wawa on the 6400-block of Roosevelt Boulevard. No one in the store was injured, and the driver was charged with DUI [NBC10].

continue reading »

NEast Links: bringing you additional Northeast news

A man was shot early Wednesday morning in Holmesburg, sending him to Aria Health-Torresdale in unknown condition. The shooting happened on the 8000-block of Ditman Street across the street from the Holmesburg Rec Center [CBS3].

Around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, a teenager in Castor Gardens told authorities she’d been sexually assaulted by two males. Police are still investigating the incident that happened on the 1400-block of Fanshawe Street to determine the accuracy of the report [CBS3].

Shortly after, around 4 p.m., a motorcyclist was transported to the hospital following a crash with another vehicle at Levick and Everett streets in Castor Gardens [6ABC].

Q: I wanted to rent a house in Castor Gardens, but the owner turned me down flat because I have had a past eviction. I never got the chance to explain the eviction, but it was not my fault. How can I find a rental that won’t care about the eviction?

A: In this economy and housing atmosphere, rentals are in high demand these days so landlords can afford to be picky about their tenants. Job stability is a concern. A low credit score may be a problem. And any past evictions will definitely be a deterrent in finding a rental. continue reading »

Police have arrested a Northeast man in connection with a series of South Philadelphia robberies.

Poncho Spicer of the 1100-block of Fanshawe Street in Castor Gardens, is charged with robbery and related offenses for stick-ups that took place inside the garage of the Marine Club Condominiums. Spicer, 47, was arrested after the first robbery took place in September but was later released. More robberies took place in December and January.

Spicer will appear in court Feb, 7 and is held on $1.5 million bail.

UPDATE, Jan. 19 — Police have arrested Brandon Shields in connection with multiple bank robberies in the 2nd and 15th districts.

Philadelphia Police and the FBI are looking for a suspect believed to be responsible for robberies on Castor and Frankford avenues.

Most recently, the suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash from the Citizens Bank at 6537 Castor Ave. Jan. 6. In a similar incident Dec. 7, the suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash from the PNC Bank at 6855 Frankford Ave. In both cases, the suspect gave the teller a threatening note and fled on foot.

Surveillance footage from the Frankford Avenue robbery can be seen below. continue reading »