Holmesburg Junction Station in December 2011. Photo/Shannon McDonald

For many who take the train every day, Holmesburg Junction is their first (and sometimes only) glimpse at the neighborhood.

The aging train station has been a focus of a joint effort by the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association and Philadelphia City Planning Commission as the pair work on neighborhood improvements under the Phila2035 plan.

But while those efforts concentrate on greening, waterway access and an overall more desirable-looking neighborhood anchor, legislators Wednesday will focus on the station’s need for funding to better serve the community. 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 »

The sit of the former Liddonfield Homes in Upper Holmesburg stands to be redeveloped. Image/Google Maps

Upper Holmesburg’s Liddonfield housing project has been torn down, but the site itself (bound by Megargee, Cottage and Tolbut streets and Torresdale Avenue) remains a source of controversy in the neighborhood as residents wait to see what springs up in its place.

This is an important week for two Northeast groups as they focus on the former public housing development’s past and future.

Tonight, the Northeast Philadelphia History Network will host speaker Rosemary Reeves [calendar item]. The former Liddonfield resident will discuss her time spent there and her effort to have a marker placed on the site — whatever it may become — to recognize the positive impact Liddonfield had on many of the people who lived there.

Regardless of the property’s past, the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association doesn’t want to see public housing take priority at Liddonfield in the future. Thursday is the last day Holmesburg and Torresdale residents can submit petitions in support of a redevelopment by Holy Family University. continue reading »

Photo: doublelibra/Flickr

As the city’s recycling collection gets back to normal after the holidays, don’t make the mistake of leaving your Christmas tree curbside.

The city’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program is in full swing and runs through Jan 15. Trees can be dropped off at any Sanitation Convenience Center around Philadelphia. In the Northeast, that’s the location at Ashburner Street and State Road. continue reading »

Upper Holmesburg resident Dan Yencho hopes he can win a Pepsi Refresh Project grant to open a fitness center for teens.

All Dan Yencho needs is a large, warehouse-type space and a little money — say, $50,000.

The Upper Holmesburg resident with a personal training background needs both to open what he calls the Holmesburg Power Company, an after-school fitness center for teens.

“Having a positive place where kids can go can be a great place for the community,” Yencho says.

He’s hoping the Pepsi Refresh Project can help.

No stranger himself to exercise, Yencho was running through his neighborhood over the summer to train for the Spartan Race at Blue Mountain when he bumped into his inspiration.

A teenage girl, running on the same street but in the opposite direction, stopped Yencho to ask him for pointers when she saw his gym sweatshirt. Yencho says he offered her tips, including one to be careful running by herself early in the morning.

What she told him next became a jumping off point. continue reading »

Authorities are looking for more details of an early morning shooting Wednesday in Upper Holmesburg.

According to reports, the man was shot in the chest and arm on the 8800-block of Cottage Street, and was transported to the hospital in unknown condition. An arrest has not been made.

At a February meeting, Upper Holmesburg residents identified areas that need improvements or enhancements.

Four months’ worth of work came together Thursday night at the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association, where the City Planning Commission unveiled its “Neighborhood Goals and Strategies Report” for neighborhood development and improvement.

The report is based on the efforts of the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association, the Planning Commission and neighborhood planning team and the 100-plus residents who attended meetings to share their ideas for the neighborhood.

“It’s just amazing what we did here,” UHCA board zoning officer Paul Definis said.” Definis, along with others, has been involved with deciding what Upper Holmesburg would like to see come out of the Planning Commission’s proposals, which are part of the city’s larger Phila2035 plan. continue reading »

Friday — Two the causes of two Thursday fires are under investigation.

Around 10:30 a.m., a woman was rescued from a fire on the 8900-block of Frankford Avenue. She reportedly suffered severe burns over 60 percent of her body. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 15 minutes.

A ruptured gas line sparked a blaze that night on the 1400-block of Creston Street. PECO, PGW and fire officials were able to stablize the scene and put the fire out. continue reading »

8th District Capt. Deborah Kelly

Forty percent of burglaries in the 8th Police District are unforced.

It was one of many frank, surprising statements District Capt. Deborah Kelly shared with residents at last night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting. Kelly hosts burglary seminars every month, but brought an abbreviated version os the seminar to last night’s meeting.

Burglary, she said, is the third-most common serious crime in the U.S., behind and DUI offenses. Kelly highlighted some of the risks that can make your home burglary-prone and gave tips for prevention. continue reading »

Police are searching for the man who robbed Upper Holmesburg’s Deluxe Pharmacy last month.

On March 23, the suspect showed a pharmacy employee a handgun and demanded drugs with a note. He fled on foot with Vicodin and Oxycodone. continue reading »