Short dumping in industrial areas of Holmesburg and Tacony has community leaders worried about quality of life issues and fires. Photo/Steven Mitchell

This is the second in a two-part series about quality of life issues in Tacony and Holmesburg, and the neighborhoods’ approach to growing stronger together. You can read the first part here.

Short dumping is a problem all over Philadelphia, and in some Northeast neighborhoods, the issue is weighing down the community.

Short dumping is the illegal act of disposing trash and debris on a street or vacant lot. Industrial areas — like those along Torresdale Avenue and State Road in Holmesburg and Tacony — tend to be dark at night, which allows for people to come and dump their trash and other items in this area.

The railroad tracks at James Street and Bleigh Avenue is a particular hotspot for short dumping. There, you’ll see trash and other debris, as well as abandoned tires. continue reading »

Tacony business owner Mark Whited is part of the community effort to revitalize the Torresdale Avenue business corridor. Photo/Raymond Boyd

This is the first in a two-part series about quality of life issues in Tacony and Holmesburg, and the neighborhoods’ approach to growing stronger together.

With similar missions but different approaches, Tacony and Holmesburg are seeking a better future for their residents. Tacony is taking a business-first approach, while Holmesburg is looking to take advantage of its history.

Both neighborhoods understand that they must work in collaboration to make their goals a reality as they try to stand as pillars of Northeast Philadelphia. continue reading »

The Bridge Repair Unit of the Philadelphia Streets Department repairs part of the Pennypack Creek Bridge that was damaged in a car crash. Photo courtesy of Rich Frizell/Holmesburg Civic Association

Repairs are underway on Frankford Avenue for a wall along the Pennypack Creek Bridge that sustained damage during a weekend car crash.

Not quite six months after the installation of a historical marker for the bridge, a traffic accident sent the hard-earned plaque to the ground and damaged the nearby stone wall. continue reading »

Bank robbery suspect. Surveillance image/Philadelphia Police

Philadelphia Police and the FBI are on the hunt for a man suspected of robbing two Northeast banks March 20.

At 10:08 a.m., a man entered the Bank of America at 6425 Rising Sun Ave. and gave the teller a threatening note. He fled without cash, but at 10:43 a.m., entered the Citizens Bank at 7327 Frankford Ave. and was able to get an undisclosed amount of cash. He fled south on Frankford Avenue. continue reading »

Former Holmesburg Civic Association President Fred Moore worked for more than a decade to get historical recognition for the Pennypack Creek Bridge. Photo/Jessica Lopez

Update May 9, 2013 ConRail has agreed to allow the Holmesburg Civic Association paint the bridge, and will waive the fees, registration and insurance.

The Pennypack Creek Bridge that connects Holmesburg with Upper Holmesburg has been cleaned up and remains under surveillance by town watch and police.

But as Holmesburg works to maintain the part of the park around it, the train trestle that crosses over Frankford Avenue is still an eyesore. continue reading »

Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, led last week’s panel on methadone clinics. Photo/Tiffany Goforth

Beverly Haberle, executive director of The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc., opened the Frankford Civic Association meeting Thursday by addressing an issue that has residents of several Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods up in arms.

On Jan. 30, Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, held a hearing at the Mayfair Community Center discussing methadone clinics, their impact on neighborhoods and access to treatment. With zoning approval for two Holmesburg clinics pending, no one is quite done talking about the issue. continue reading »

Rep. Kevin Boyle first discussed regulations for narcotics treatment facilities in October 2011. Photo/Bill Achuff

Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, has reintroduced legislation to strengthen regulations for methadone clinics.

Boyle first announced attempts to regulate narcotics treatment facilities in October 2011. The most recent legislation addresses issues that came to light in July 2011 when The Healing Way Inc. received a permit to open a methadone clinic in Holmesburg without discussing the facility with neighbors. continue reading »

Part of the Tacony Town Watch patrols has become reporting suspected prostitution to police. Photo/Jessica Lopez

Fourteen years ago, Joe Nicoletti made the decision to come back to his roots in Tacony where family settled in the 1890s from Italy. Nicoletti wanted to start a family with his wife and grow old together.

“Someone told me the neighborhood isn’t what it used to be so I decided to get involved,” Nicoletti said. “You’d be surprised what you don’t know is happening in your neighborhood after one in the morning.”

On a recent Friday evening, Nicoletti and five other citizens met in a designated parking lot along Frankford Avenue. The Tacony Town Watch members discussed their concern over the recent racially driven graffiti on the Tacony Train Station before dividing themselves into three teams of two and setting off in their cars to their respective patrol areas.

“The Northeast is being plagued with a hodgepodge of issues, and that includes narcotics and prostitution,” Nicoletti said. continue reading »

A July 2011 rally against a Holmesburg methadone clinic was the first of many efforts by the neighborhood to keep the business off Frankford Avenue. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Holmesburg Civic Association President Rich Frizell attended Wednesday’s hearing The Healing Way’s appeal to operate a methadone clinic at 7900 Frankford Ave.

During the city hearing, the state took action, as well. Sen. Mike Stack announced Wednesday a new law to “raise the bar” on methadone treatment. The law calls for a review of overdose deaths related to methadone use. continue reading »

A July 2011 rally against a Holmesburg methadone clinic was the first of many efforts by the neighborhood to keep the business off Frankford Avenue. Photo/Shannon McDonald

The long-awaited court day over the fate of the methadone clinic at 7900 Frankford Ave. in Holmesburg has arrived.

Wednesday, The Healing Way and the Mayfair and Holmesburg civic associations will be in Common Pleas Court as the clinic operator appeals the decision to prevent the clinic from opening. The Healing Way obtained on over-the-counter permit in 2011 to open the clinic, but the Philadelphia Zoning Board overturned that decision in March following opposition from the community. continue reading »