Help fight blight @ York & Jasper!

[danroth]

What can you do right now to help correct the blighted, dangerous building at York & Jasper street?

The first thing, requiring almost zero effort, is simply click on "Vote to Fix" on "SeeClickFix":
Structure not secured. Dangerous conditions - Kensington, Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia - Issue #136238 - SeeClickFix
(it will ask for an email address to keep you updated on progress)

The next thing, the most helpful at this time and not requiring a lot of effort, is to file 311 complaints:
Philly311 - Ask A Question

Here's my format:

I am requesting building code enforcement regarding a neglected property posing dangerous conditions and imposing blight on the neighborhood.

*** ISSUE(S) ***

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1817 E YORK ST

PROPERTY CONTACT:
YORK ST DEVELOPMENT LLC,
C/O DARRELL M ZASLOW
ONE OXFORD VALLEY STE 312,
LANGHORNE PA 19047

PHONE CONTACTS:
(215) 750-6500
(215) 332-2706
(215) 752-3707
(610) 356-0820

Where it says "*** ISSUE(S) ***", I put the word "ISSUE" or "ISSUES" and then list one (or sometimes two, if closely related) issues from this list:

1. Brickwork on curtain walls on E YORK ST and E BOSTON ST is failing. Brick dust on pavement. Holes in brickwork.

2. 70+ missing/damaged windows throughout complex

3. Fire tower on E BOSTON ST has collapsed stairs and open entry door. This is unsecured and open to anyone to enter.

4. Aluminum gate along JASPER ST side of complex is not secure, vagrants entering/leaving complex

5. Presence of vagrants / fire hazard

6. Missing roof structure on E YORK side of complex, in danger of collapse

7. Unsecured elevator shafts in complex - death trap

8. Large hole in fume tower on E BOSTON side of complex you can see through this hole into the building. Bricks above hole are shifting. Danger of wall collapse.

9. Missing doors on JASPER ST fire tower. Fire escape decks poss. separating from structure. Poss. collapse hazard.

Thanks to Kenso for pulling together the contact info & the list of violations.

For details on the origin of all this, please see:
The York & Jasper Project | Fishtown.US

[ArcticSplash]

Well, thanks L&I for not doing your jobs.

Two brave Philadelphia Firefighters are dead this morning.

2 firefighters killed in Kensington warehouse inferno | 6abc.com

[save19115]

Well, thanks L&I for not doing your jobs.

Two brave Philadelphia Firefighters are dead this morning.

2 firefighters killed in Kensington warehouse inferno | 6abc.com

No, That can't be right. I saw them on TV. They cited them 3 times over nearly 6 months. What more can anyone do??? The sense of urgency is so utterly utterly lacking. They can't use the internet to find the absentee owners when that is the issue, the bandit sign guys are unfindable unless it is a contributor to Philadelphia Speaks doing the looking, citizen complaints are brushed off and, at best, a citation is written...Until the disater finally strikes.

That building didn't get to be dangerous over night. Where were the inspectors? Where was the sense of a ticking timebomb in the neighborhood.

Tonight I was waiting for my son to get off work when police helicopter and massive lights and sirens descended on Grant Avenue. I nearly fled into his store when I realized it was a motorcade bearing at least one of the firemen. I ran to the street to say a prayer as it passed, for him, his family, and all the firemen.

My father was a Philadelphia Battalion Chief and I remember the pride he took in his job, the long hours he put in, and the care and camaraderie of the fire fighters. I also remember his anger at things that they were sent in to that were unsafe because others didn't do the right thing.

Somebody in this city needs to make doing the right thing an immediate concern, not one that takes a leisurely pace through red tape and paperwork.

God bless the people who act like their jobs matter. God bless the people who act like what happens in their neighborhoods matters. God help those who don't pay attention to the first two.