With the help of the City Planning Commission, PHA and Philadelphia Sports Zone, Upper Holmesburg residents identify areas of note and trouble in their neighborhood that could be improved with better planning. Nearly 100 people attended the meeting.

Last night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting drew nearly 100 people, as representatives from the Planning Commission and Public Housing Authority were scheduled to speak.

Ian Litwin, the Commission’s community planner for parts of the Northeast, was the highlighted guest, as the meeting is the first of many to address how Upper Holmesburg fits into the Philadelphia2035 plan.

But five representatives from PHA also stopped by to hear concerns, specifically regarding Liddonfield. The low-income development has been demolished, but residents want to know what’s coming next.

PHA has “no commitments to do anything at the site,” said Michael Johns, head of community planning design at PHA. Johns faced many questions from residents about what’s planned for the Liddonfield property and what will happen in the meantime. continue reading »

Rudolph Muller, 8th District Community Relations Officer

Rudolph Muller was at last night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association to introduce himself as the new 8th District Community Relations Officer to the nearly 100 people in attendance. But he also came with good news: two of three men wanted in connection with the CVS robbery and shootout earlier this week have been caught.

In the video below, Muller details his history as an officer and what brought him to the 8th District. continue reading »

Edward Vassallo of OEM

It is possible to be organized in an emergency. So long as you’ve planned ahead.

At last night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting, Edward Vassallo of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management gave useful tips for how to prepare for an emergency that may call for an evacuation or shelter in place. He cited Tuesday’s explosion in Tacony as the type of event resident need to be ready for. continue reading »

In what neighbors believe is connected to ongoing drug problems in the area, 11 cars were broken into overnight Wednesday on the 8400-block of Walker Street.

Residents of the Upper Holmesburg block are reportedly frustrated with police by the department’s dismissive response, as was the topic of conversation at a recent Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting. continue reading »

Meet Ian Litwin. He works for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and you’ll be seeing his face at neighborhood meetings as he learns how the Northeast operates, what matters to us and how the Planning Commission can help make the region more functional. In the video below, he explains to the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association some of the ideas on tap — some put forth by residents, others championed by the PCC. continue reading »

The Philadelphia Sports Zone, an AC Milan-supported sports complex planned for Upper Holmesburg, has reached out to and will partner with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame. Maggie Fulmer made the announcement at last night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting [video below]. continue reading »

Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Louis Giorla attended last night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting to talk with residents about last month’s escape of Kevin Turner from Curran-Fromhold Correction Facility. Turner went on to rob and murder Lawncrest jeweler William Glatz nine days later. In the video below, Giorla explains how the escape took place and the precautions being taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again. continue reading »

The Mayfair Civic Association announced yesterday its plans to support the development of a sports complex in Upper Holmesburg. continue reading »

The Holmesburg Civic Association Board hosts the October meeting.

The winter months are coming, and with it will come rate increases from PECO.

As an answer to the increase, PECO is promoting its energy saving tips and assistance programs to help keep costs low. Jen Tepel of PECO’s Energy Education Team was at last night’s Holmesburg Civic Association meeting to discuss the increase and ways to combat high energy bills.

continue reading »

On any given day, you’ll find Officer Michelle McMillian patrolling the streets of the Northeast. She’s not a police officer, or a parking authority employee, though she’s been mistaken as both.

McMillian is an officer with SWEEP, the Department of Streets’ Streets & Walkways Education and Enforcement Program. The 30-year city employee was at last night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting to talk about recycling.

“This area is not doing that well,” McMillian told the 20 or so residents in attendance about their trash and recycling habits. She cited some of the main problems she and her colleagues see as they patrol the streets: continue reading »