What is the Callowhill Reading Viaduct Neighborhood Improvement District?

[kamakiri]

On Friday , I received notice of a proposed city ordinance sponsored by DiCicco that will allow the board of directors of Callowhill Reading Viaduct Improvement District to tax residents with between Vine Street and Spring Garden Street and 8th Street to Broad Street. Looks like Paul Levy will get the contract to sweep the streets. I don't understand how the city can create a non profit organization with the power to tax residents for city services that are provided by the Department of Streets. How can they get away with taxing us?

[Titus]

On Friday , I received notice of a proposed city ordinance sponsored by DiCicco that will allow the board of directors of Callowhill Reading Viaduct Improvement District to tax residents with between Vine Street and Spring Garden Street and 8th Street to Broad Street. Looks like Paul Levy will get the contract to sweep the streets. I don't understand how the city can create a non profit organization with the power to tax residents for city services that are provided by the Department of Streets. How can they get away with taxing us?

Don't know about whether the "can" do this, but the Streets Dept isn't all that it might be.

[Pitboss]

On Friday , I received notice of a proposed city ordinance sponsored by DiCicco that will allow the board of directors of Callowhill Reading Viaduct Improvement District to tax residents with between Vine Street and Spring Garden Street and 8th Street to Broad Street. Looks like Paul Levy will get the contract to sweep the streets. I don't understand how the city can create a non profit organization with the power to tax residents for city services that are provided by the Department of Streets. How can they get away with taxing us?

Maybe the residents could have formed together to submit a bid to clean their own neighborhood.

[phillyaggie]

sounds like the creation of a new TIF district?

[kamakiri]

Yes, maybe they want to tax condo and home owners to make the neighborhood inviting for the big name developers that will sit on the board.

[phillyaggie]

Yes, maybe they want to tax condo and home owners to make the neighborhood inviting for the big name developers that will sit on the board.

ermm and if those "big name developers" want any money from the updates, they will have to invest their own money in some development in the neighborhood. And like any investment, it comes with risks. If you think it is risk free, I suggest you cobble up your own big money and buy up land or buildings in this area to renovate and then make off with the loot, as it were.

[Titus]

Yes, maybe they want to tax condo and home owners to make the neighborhood inviting for the big name developers that will sit on the board.

Your neighborhood could sure use some "big name developers" or any other kind, frankly. While I've been in some good looking condos there, the streets are an appalling mess. Be grateful there is hope on the horizon.

[desolate]

Sounds like your getting railroaded by a bunch of NYC investors who are follwing the "use teh High Line move".

They move in as "concerned citizens"

Then form this board.

Then steal or redirect lots of public funding to them.

Then sell and profit.

[eldondre]

Sounds like your getting railroaded by a bunch of NYC investors who are follwing the "use teh High Line move".

They move in as "concerned citizens"

Then form this board.

Then steal or redirect lots of public funding to them.

Then sell and profit.

as opposed to nti which funneled profits to connected.demolition comlankes and.saddled taxpayers with hundreds of millions in lt debt and the city with more property it couldnt sell.

[kamakiri]

Check out the boundaries of the district. They excluded 401 and 511 North Broad as well as the buildings with Cafe Lift and the Packard. I'm sure your right about the out of town investors; one does not have to be a resident of Pennsylvania to sit on the board of directors. The biggest property owners East of Broad will not be taxes. The fix is in.

[desolate]

as opposed to nti which funneled profits to connected.demolition comlankes and.saddled taxpayers with hundreds of millions in lt debt and the city with more property it couldnt sell.

cool. let's let them screw us again. NTi's over. Just like the station on broad and the stadiums.

[Pitboss]

cool. let's let them screw us again. NTi's over. Just like the station on broad and the stadiums.

Is that area represented by any elected "officials" such as Chinka Fattah or Vince Who?

[kamakiri]

It's Frank DiCicco's retirement gift to us. A Neighborhood Improvement District with a mission to reclaim the Reading Viaduct as a dog park by day and by night, I leave it to your imagination. A NID means that progressive neighbors can tax and levy special assessments on long time residents and voiceless communities.

[gren]

It's Frank DiCicco's retirement gift to us. A Neighborhood Improvement District with a mission to reclaim the Reading Viaduct as a dog park by day and by night, I leave it to your imagination. A NID means that progressive neighbors can tax and levy special assessments on long time residents and voiceless communities.

I wouldn't say progressives. These are projects people think will make Philly into a nicer city and help real estate values, etc. It's people fighting for their interests? Just like low-income housing advocates are fighting for their interests. I think a successful project would be good for Philly. I don't know if it's worth the money.