Photo/Historic Tacony Revitalization Project

Things are progressing in Tacony, where the Community Development Corporation announced in October the creation of its Historic Tacony Revitalization Project to make improvements along Torresdale Avenue.

Earlier this month, the CDC hired Alexander Balloon as Tacony’s first full-time commercial corridor manager.

“Alex was clearly the most highly qualified applicant,” CDC board member Pete Naccarato said of Balloon.  continue reading »

Upper Holmesburg residents study Holy Family University's early plans for the redevelopment of Liddonfield. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Of the 20 proposals awaiting consideration from the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the one from Holy Family University for the redevelopment of Liddonfield has the support of the Upper Holmesburg community.

If it wasn’t the speeches from Sr. Francesca Onley of HFU, 6th District Councilman Bobby Henon, developer John Parsons, Upper Holmesburg Civic Association President Stan Cywynski or UHCA board member Paul DeFinis, it was the applause and cheers from the 50-plus residents in attendance that proved the neighborhood is ready for a change.

Planning for Liddonfield’s future began early last year when the UHCA started working with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to revitalize the neighborhood according to Philadelphia2035 goals.

“We were very practiced in our process, and that just may be our saving grace,” DeFinis said of his hopes that the effort Upper Holmesburg has made will be enough for the PHA.

With the help of politicians at the city, state and federal levels; a petition 4,000 signatures long; and support from the Holmesburg, Holme Circle, East Torresdale, Tacony and Morrell Park civic associations; the UHCA now waits to hear if the PHA will enter an agreement with Holy Family.

If that’s the case, John Parsons of BSI Construction (Island Green Country Club), outlined what he stressed are conceptual plans his development company has for the Liddonfield property at Torresdale Avenue and Megargee Street. continue reading »

Princeton Avenue was to become a two-way street between Torresdale Avenue and State Road as of 3 p.m. today.

From PennDOT:

A seven-block section of Princeton Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia that currently carries only eastbound traffic will become a two-way street on Monday  when crews open it to westbound traffic between State Road and Torresdale Avenue.

PennDOT said the new westbound lane is scheduled to open by 3 p.m. Monday (Nov. 14). Prior to changing the street to a two-way pattern, crews will restrict eastbound Princeton Avenue to a single lane east of Torresdale Avenue to paint new traffic lines.

Once the new westbound lane is in service, Princeton Avenue will carry one lane of westbound traffic alongside a single eastbound lane. continue reading »

From the Tacony CDC:

More than 50 Tacony residents, businesses, property owners and friends attended the kick-off meeting for the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project Oct. 17, held in the basement meeting room of at the Tacony Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library.

Addressing a standing room only crowd, Pete Naccarato, board president of the Tacony Community Development Corporation, welcomed everyone and shared the history of the Tacony CDC. He highlighted many of the important projects the CDC had completed during the past 10 years. Naccarato urged the audience to become an active part of the commercial corridor revitalization project to begin shortly for Torresdale and Longshore avenues.

He stated, “The Historic Tacony Revitalization Project is a very important priority for the Tacony Community Development Corporation.” continue reading »

From the Tacony CDC:

The Tacony Community Development Corporation announced Thursday it will hold a kick-off meeting for its new effort to revitalize the Torresdale Avenue commercial corridor Oct. 17.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss why the Tacony CDC is launching the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project now and what they hope to achieve in the next few years. Peter Naccarato, the Board President of the Tacony CDC will also discuss the role of the Retail Market Analysis study being conducted now, and the process the organization will undertake to hire a full time employee this fall to manage the commercial district revitalization work. continue reading »

Update - Police have arrested and charged a 27-year-old suspect. Angel Roque is charged with vehicular homicide, among other charges, after he was found out when he tried to report his truck stolen to allegedly cover up his crime. Roque lives in Wissinoming, where the truck was also found.

Police are looking for the driver who struck a woman this morning in Wissinoming, leaving her dead. continue reading »

Tacony Civic Association board member Lou Iatarola reviews zoning matters at the September 2011 meeting.

Lou Iataroloa had less than an hour to zip through a dozen active zoning issues in Tacony at Tuesday’s civic association meeting.

Before 15th District Capt. Frank Bachmayer took the floor at 8 p.m. for his town hall meeting, the association board had an hour to review old business, new business and upcoming meetings.

The zoning issues involved a variety of issues, including illegal duplexes and auto body shops. The rundown Iatarola, a TCA board member, is below. For pending permits and variances, neighbors living within 500 feet of the properties in question will receive a notice prior to the TCA’s meeting and the Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing. continue reading »

A rendering of the New Foundations Charter High School

If things go according to plan, New Foundations High School will be open to students next fall. The new space will across the street from the existing K through 9 building at Rhawn Street and Torresdale Avenue at 4850 Rhawn St. Ninth and 10th graders are currently housed in a temporary spot at Franklin Towne Charter.

Holmesburg residents had one immediate concern at Tuesday night’s civic association meeting: parking. CEO Paul Stadelberger was at the ready, knowing already the congestion around Torresdale and Rhawn near Holmesburg Station would prove a sticking point with neighbors. continue reading »

Two Northeast men have been arrested for a burglary ring that spanned the Northeast and Bensalem.

Ryan Shantz, 30, of Torresdale; and Michael Mager, 31, of Tacony; were arrested and charged with 61 counts of theft from auto and other offense. continue reading »

This is a first for Right NEast/Wrong NEast: the same story appearing twice.

Last month, both CBS3 and the Police Department got a little lost when a Wissinoming store owner fought off a robber. Though the crime happened on the 6000-block of Torresdale Avenue, both originally reported the crime happened in Torresdale. CBS3 correctly reported the neighborhood in a follow-up story.

But not to be outdone, Action News has gone ahead and made the exact same error — just a few weeks later. In its coverage of the arrest of the man wanted in connection with the robbery, Channel 6 says the crime happened in Torresdale: continue reading »