Fairmount Avenue Blight

**esp1977** · 01-11-2012, 10:40 AM

Anyone know the story with some of the huge blighted buildings and properties that grace Fairmount Ave (as you travel east towards Broad)? I'm talking about the Country Fresh Market, Security Elevator Building, etc. A good deal of this property seems to be owned by the Spring Garden Development Corp. with purchase dates back in 2002...nearly a decade ago. Just curious if there is a development plan or why this property is being hung onto. Is it even listed for sale? There's a been a ton of new construction condo development on the 1500 and 1600 block, as soon to be the 1400 block, so I have trouble believing the cause is the economy.

These massive hunks of blight really bring down Fairmount Ave. and it would be nice to see this change.

**LUCas** · 01-11-2012, 10:44 AM

Best bet would be to inquire with the Spring Garden CDC. All you need is psychic powers to find out when and where they meet and who exactly they are. Then you're good to go. Good luck.

**Moonraker** · 01-11-2012, 11:03 AM

Curious words. You need to go back to the days when the closed Hess gas station graced the SE corner of 19th and Fairmount, 1900 Fairmount was a full storefront for the Nicely Tool Company, and there was more scatterd emply lots. Back then it was known as Jobber's Row, where the automotive parts shops, refurbishment shops and machinary houses were plentiful.

Change does not happen over night or over a year. For those who remember, today's Fairmount Avenue if far from blighted. We can look east and north and see blight, the way it was. You see a few newly constructed houses and "your glass is half empty". I spent this morning watching the lift operation of housing modules on N 28th Street, all around are boarded houses and emply lots. That is blight. Those of us who put in the sweat equity of renovation and restoration, went to Silvo Hardware for the tool none of use owned and maybe knew about, shoped at the New (a.k.a Ras) Deal Lumber Company, not a big box store for lumber. shared construction ideas over lunch at Beato's; we see the improvement and the potential not the blight.

Don't look for instant gratification, change can be a 20-30 year process. BTW, the SGCA has meetings, listed on this website. The SG-CDC is another story.

If you used Gas & Electric stoves, microwave & convection ovens are a wonder.
If you used a coal or wood stove, Gas & Electric stoves are a wonder.
If you used an open fire, what the heck are electrons and gas?

**Titus** · 01-11-2012, 11:26 AM

Yeah, it's the CDC properties. I would be surprised, however, if some are not soon developed as they have been selling off parcels recently which have been developed already.

**eldondre** · 01-11-2012, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by esp1977

Anyone know the story with some of the huge blighted buildings and properties that grace Fairmount Ave (as you travel east towards Broad)? I'm talking about the Country Fresh Market, Security Elevator Building, etc. A good deal of this property seems to be owned by the Spring Garden Development Corp. with purchase dates back in 2002...nearly a decade ago. Just curious if there is a development plan or why this property is being hung onto. Is it even listed for sale? There's a been a ton of new construction condo development on the 1500 and 1600 block, as soon to be the 1400 block, so I have trouble believing the cause is the economy.

These massive hunks of blight really bring down Fairmount Ave. and it would be nice to see this change.

here's a thread to the sg cdc, it's unaccountable methods, and it's continuing force for blight in the neighborhood on the taxpayers dime. thankfully vince fumo was imprisoned which cut off the funding spigot and has forced pat freeland and her minions to unload properties to keep operations afloat. while I appreciate that change takes time, it doesn't actually take that much time. putting aside the cdc's apologists, those properties woudl have been renovated during the boom had they been available. the cdc used to own l'aube and they deed restricted the property to prevent any business from putting outdoor seating in back. for years they sat on 17th and mt vernon which was a home for squatters.

**CityMaps** · 01-11-2012, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Change does not happen over night or over a year. For those who remember, today's Fairmount Avenue if far from blighted. We can look east and north and see blight, the way it was.

Fairmount Ave has improved, yes, but many streets (citywide and nationwide) with similar conditions made better choices in the same timeframe...much of it in a relatively short timeframe, too. One or two well-executed projects could have made a huge difference.

Instead, Fairmount Ave either got nothing (see Eldondre's post) or the wrong thing. Look at what happened just a few blocks West: CVS, Sunoco, and the townhomes next to Pete's Famous Pizza are all "nicer" and newer than what was there, but they shouldn't have been allowed to happen WHERE they happened. The former 2 would be better in Cherry Hill, and the latter would be better with ground floor retail. It was a botched transformation.

The decisions that lead to that are the same ones that are keeping the North side of that block from reaching its full potential, and similar to what is happening around 19th.

There is also a disappointing lack of cohesive vision.

**esp1977** · 01-11-2012, 12:53 PM

I imagine it is better than it used to be, but that doesn't make it ok for an unaccountable organization to hold onto these properties for over a decade. I mean, what's the point of that? There is a definitely a wave of development as you approach Broad that would make it sensible for the neighborhood to contribute to the positivity versus holding it back. Maybe they don't own a ton of properties, but the ones they do own take up half a block or more. It seems the time to act is now.

What are they waiting for? The right developer to make the right offer? Drumming up a development plan?

**fiveomar** · 01-11-2012, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by CityMaps

Instead, Fairmount Ave either got nothing (see Eldondre's post) or the wrong thing. Look at what happened just a few blocks West: CVS, Sunoco, and the townhomes next to Pete's Famous Pizza are all "nicer" and newer than what was there, but they shouldn't have been allowed to happen WHERE they happened. The former 2 would be better in Cherry Hill, and the latter would be better with ground floor retail. It was a botched transformation.

There is also a disappointing lack of cohesive vision.

Agreed 100%. The Sunoco/CVS/townhomes do not belong there.

**dcss1205** · 01-11-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by esp1977

I imagine it is better than it used to be, but that doesn't make it ok for an unaccountable organization to hold onto these properties for over a decade. I mean, what's the point of that? There is a definitely a wave of development as you approach Broad that would make it sensible for the neighborhood to contribute to the positivity versus holding it back. Maybe they don't own a ton of properties, but the ones they do own take up half a block or more. It seems the time to act is now. What are they waiting for? The right developer to make the right offer? Drumming up a development plan?

Grasshopper! The answer to all these questions is hidden within the 281 posts at http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/fo...rraine-15.html

**eldondre** · 01-11-2012, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by esp1977

I imagine it is better than it used to be, but that doesn't make it ok for an unaccountable organization to hold onto these properties for over a decade. I mean, what's the point of that? There is a definitely a wave of development as you approach Broad that would make it sensible for the neighborhood to contribute to the positivity versus holding it back. Maybe they don't own a ton of properties, but the ones they do own take up half a block or more. It seems the time to act is now.

What are they waiting for? The right developer to make the right offer? Drumming up a development plan?

they own less than they used to but still quite a bit. they own the surface lot across from london, they own mural lot at 19th and fairmount, they own country fresh and security elevator (a building that was collapsing until L&I cited them). they own all the abandoned crap behind those buildings including the buildigns that caught fire. they own the provenance building. they own the vacant lot at 16th and wallace. I forget if they own anything else, I think I listed all of it somewhere in that sgcdc thread. it's frustrating since they not only hold the area back, but they control what goes on in it (since clarke approves nothing without the neighborhood ok). she fought the stadium on east spring garden, she fought the highrise proposals on spring garden...oddly, the money they used to buy all that property was waterfront development money.

cvs belongs there, just not in that format.

**AbortedWalrus** · 01-11-2012, 04:34 PM

In reality, most of the abandoned or unused buildings on Fairmount Ave up to Broad are owned by them. Maybe five years ago you could have said it was just a matter of time, but I don't buy it now. Take a look at the 1400-1500 blocks of Fairmount Ave. Craploads of infill. Almost all empty parcels on those blocks have new construction or proposals for new construction.

**eldondre** · 01-12-2012, 08:25 AM

nice shot of one of sgcdc's beauties here at the end of the article
Calvary Condo Conversion Nearing Completion | NakedPhilly

**esp1977** · 01-12-2012, 09:28 AM

Exactly. Buildings like that made me initiate this thread. That beaut + the other junk on the 1600 block of Melon, too.

It seems to me that the properties in the neighborhood that are privately owned by entities/individuals other than the SGDC are getting developed and at a rather quick pace. I've lived on the eastern end of the neighborhood for 2 1/2 years now and have seen a huge difference. It seems the only properties not getting any attention are the ones owned by the SGDC.

Again, what are they waiting for? Is there a plan and/or a reason why they are sitting on this crap?

Who is the SGDC exactly? Pat Freeland? Is that it? And who made her in charge? If she is, indeed, hanging onto these properties waiting for the right offer or developer, it seems to me that she has a lot of power to dictate what happens in the neighborhood. I know she's an attorney, but I didn't realize she'a an urban planner, as well. Seems strange.

**Titus** · 01-12-2012, 11:24 AM

I'm not here to claim the CDC is wonderful, far from it, but of the projects that are happening on Fairmount Ave, many have been actively supported in various ways by the same CDC. Anyone who walks down the 1600 block of My Vernon is looking at the work the CDC spent a lot of time on working with the PHA doing excellent restoration work and rehabbing numerous buildings. They are in the process of selling off parcels and that process continues though not at the pace that I would like to see.

**eldondre** · 01-12-2012, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by esp1977

Who is the SGDC exactly? Pat Freeland? Is that it? And who made her in charge? If she is, indeed, hanging onto these properties waiting for the right offer or developer, it seems to me that she has a lot of power to dictate what happens in the neighborhood. I know she's an attorney, but I didn't realize she'a an urban planner, as well. Seems strange.

she's a former aide to vince fumo

titus is only partially correct. 1600 mt vernon isn't actually the work of the cdc but it is an example of freeland using her connections for good (getting pha to spend large sums on these properties even while so many others fell into disrepair in other neighborhoods)neighborhood good..the idea that their support led to private development is a little off. of course, and if their support was transparent and predictable there'd be less blight today. luckily the fndc was started before she annexed francisville as well. if you read the other thread, she had some backroom deal to acquire the surface lot from the school district. philadelphia is full of these little tyrants running their neighborhoods like little fiefdoms

**Titus** · 01-12-2012, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by eldondre

she's a former aide to vince fumo

titus is only partially correct. 1600 mt vernon isn't actually the work of the cdc but it is an example of freeland using her connections for good (getting pha to spend large sums on these properties even while so many others fell into disrepair in other neighborhoods)neighborhood good..

Google is your friend:
PHA, Spring Garden CDC Open 58 Affordable Homes in Historic District -- PHILADELPHIA, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

It's fashionable here in SG and elsewhere to bash Freeland and the CDC and I do my share, but this was one project they were deeply involved in that has benefitted the community. They have done others. That said, the CDC leaves a lot to be desired.

**The Count** · 01-12-2012, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Curious words. You need to go back to the days when the closed Hess gas station graced the SE corner of 19th and Fairmount, 1900 Fairmount was a full storefront for the Nicely Tool Company, and there was more scatterd emply lots. Back then it was known as Jobber's Row, where the automotive parts shops, refurbishment shops and machinary houses were plentiful.

Change does not happen over night or over a year. For those who remember, today's Fairmount Avenue if far from blighted. We can look east and north and see blight, the way it was. You see a few newly constructed houses and "your glass is half empty". I spent this morning watching the lift operation of housing modules on N 28th Street, all around are boarded houses and emply lots. That is blight. Those of us who put in the sweat equity of renovation and restoration, went to Silvo Hardware for the tool none of use owned and maybe knew about, shoped at the New (a.k.a Ras) Deal Lumber Company, not a big box store for lumber. shared construction ideas over lunch at Beato's; we see the improvement and the potential not the blight.

Don't look for instant gratification, change can be a 20-30 year process. BTW, the SGCA has meetings, listed on this website. The SG-CDC is another story.

If you used Gas & Electric stoves, microwave & convection ovens are a wonder.
If you used a coal or wood stove, Gas & Electric stoves are a wonder.
If you used an open fire, what the heck are electrons and gas?

Who cares from which hardware store you bought your paintbrushes, Fairmount has looked like crap for a long time and still does.

**eldondre** · 01-12-2012, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Titus

Google is your friend:
PHA, Spring Garden CDC Open 58 Affordable Homes in Historic District -- PHILADELPHIA, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

It's fashionable here in SG and elsewhere to bash Freeland and the CDC and I do my share, but this was one project they were deeply involved in that has benefitted the community. They have done others. That said, the CDC leaves a lot to be desired.

its not fashionable its just good sense sorry to burst your bubble. yeah great...while homes in other neighborhoods remained blighted and even worsened. funny then that shes responsible for so much blight and her buddy is responsible for destroying the divine lorraine

**phillyfanatic** · 01-13-2012, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by Titus

Google is your friend:
PHA, Spring Garden CDC Open 58 Affordable Homes in Historic District -- PHILADELPHIA, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

It's fashionable here in SG and elsewhere to bash Freeland and the CDC and I do my share, but this was one project they were deeply involved in that has benefitted the community. They have done others. That said, the CDC leaves a lot to be desired.

Those PHA houses were renovated at tremendous expense during the free-spending Carl Green days -- the facades had to be rehabbed to historic preservation standards which is very costly. Many of the shells and lots should have been sold off to private developers -- PHA could have pocketed that money and developed more housing at lesser expense in other areas. This was a bad deal for the taxpayers and for Fairmount. Pat Freeland, Fumo, Carl Greene -- they liked getting their pictures taken at ribbon-cuttings while spending Other People's Money.

**esp1977** · 01-13-2012, 02:28 PM

I have no intention of embarassing or villifying anyone (Ms. Freeland) by this post. We're all invested in the neighborhood, so I like to think everyone is operating in a way that is in the best interest of Spring Garden and the surrounding neighborhoods. I just hope Ms. Freeland or whomever "they" are at the CDC is/are listening to the neighbors and taking popular opinion into account. I also realize rehabbing the entire neighborhood isn't something that happens overnight. Heck, this neighborhood has really made some impressive headway when you compare it to how it was in the 80's and 90's, right?

I think it was a good thing that the PHA properties were cleaned up. It needed to be done and hopefully will be maintained, otherwise, yes, what a waste of money. I would have rather them be sold to private developers, but rehab is the second best thing, I guess. In conjunction, though, the Spring Garden Dev. Corp. needs to turn the mirror on itself and clean up some of its own properties. That's what's holding the neighborhood back, in my opinion. They're eyesores and are filthy.

The lack of transparency is troubling. If anyone from the CDC reads this thread, please comment! If there's no plan at the moment, say it. The fact that the neighborhood has been hanging on to decrepit properties for nearly a decade - without a plan (it seems) - is concerning and I'm just trying to understand why.