It's Official - Redevelopment Authority is Insane

[Gladys]

Yes, I purchased 1145, 1147, and 1151 S. 20th from the PRA last week. I already owned 1149 and 1153 S. 20th. Take a look at the April / May Vacant Property Review Committee minutes. The RDA is taking 40 lots in Point Breeze through condemnation for affordable housing. They apparently don't have enough land.

The eminent domain land grab was too sensitive to have published before I settled on the three PRA lots.

I met with Michael Coons (spelling?) and he agreed to remove all privately owned lots from the eminent domain effort before he retired. He honored his word. KJs office blamed Verna and promised it would be killed. They also honored there word...for exactly 29 days. The same lots were resubmitted to the VPRC the next month.

If you read the minutes you will see that City Council was insane enough to vote on the same lots back to back. The first vote gave me the city lots. The second vote took away the lots I already owned. They then claimed they were condemning my lots because I had not put forward any plans to develop the lots. They did not realize that not only did I put forward plans, they were staring at the damn plans and had voted on my plans 5 (maybe 4) minutes before.

Eminent domain is a tremendous power given to government that should only be used in the most critical situations. It should not be used as a weapon or to move forward a political platform. I have never heard of another municipality using eminent domain for scattered site development to help shift the demographics of a community.

WOW! THIS is what should go to the national news. Immoral. A twisting of the law and don't let anyone say that this has nothing to do with race. I had no idea Tiffany and co could get so much support. This is crazy!

[ArcticSplash]

As you guys saw with Mayor Nutter's veto of Finnegans Wake's expansion plans and the immediate unanimous veto override, Councilmanic Privilege basically gives you 10 mayors.

Each mayor is a district council member over a section of Philly. Each district council member has executive powers, because they can send commandments down to Mayoral-controlled departments to execute certain functions in the name of constituent service. But mostly, it's when it comes down to property transactions where this power is manifest---and that is that nothing happens outside of party-to-party private land transactions in the district without the forewarning and approval of the district council member.


As you can see, Nutter is pretty powerless when it comes to that.


The reason why the At-Large members like David Oh do not ever vote against a property transaction is because the 10 district council members can easily lock them out of having any legislative say for the remainder of their term. You look at At-Large members like Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown who is trying to start initiatives of her own; if she so much as dared as cross any of the district council members on any single issue, they can shut her down to the point where all she can do is turn up and collect a paycheck and get a few minutes of time on the microphone.


Philly really has 11 mayors, not 1. It's Nutter and the small group of 10 district council members who collectively hold more power than the mayor.

[Cya]

It's much more direct than that. Only City Council members can put forward properties to go before the VPRC, and City Council members are part of the voting party which grants approval for both acquisition and disposal of properties.

It is the absolute discretion of the City Council member whose district is impacted...who he chooses to listen to or not is his absolute discretion as well.

Help me out here: What's the VPRC? I'm trying to pay attention, but don't assume I- or others- know what these letters mean- and what city service group they represent.

[ArcticSplash]

Help me out here: What's the VPRC? I'm trying to pay attention, but don't assume I- or others- know what these letters mean- and what city service group they represent.

The Vacant Property Review Committee. Here's the part of the City Code which created it and what's its charged with doing:

§16-404. The Vacant Property Review Committee.


(5) The Vacant Property Review Committee, in conjunction with the City Planning Commission, upon making a determination that any property is blighted, and not readily acquirable by donation for reasons as hereinbefore provided in the legislative findings, may certify said blighted property to the Redevelopment Authority for acquisition pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 94 of June 23, 1978, amending the act of May 24, 1945 (P.L. 991, No. 385) known as the "Urban Redevelopment Law," except that:[36]

[Gladys]

The lots the RDA is taking are not owned by the RDA. Some are in poor shape....some are well maintained. Most are adjacent to scattered RDA lots where the owner of the private lot has actively engaged the City to buy the City lots. Little did they know the exact opposite would happen.

That is correct. An agency charged with selling land to developers is actually taking land from market rate developers and giving it to affordable housing developers connected to certain civics.

This is a much better headline.

[Gladys]

The local politicians are at risk of losing their dependent voting demographic as they see it.

As to their ability to redevelop these into affordable housing... well, why do you think its been sitting vacant like that since the 70s? Of course there's no money. They'll sit on it till kingdom come just so that nobody else can move in though, that's the next best thing.

If they would open their eyes, realize that people generally don't vote according to race anymore they would see that all they have to do is be good and wise leaders to get the vote. This is sickening.

[Cya]

As you guys saw with Mayor Nutter's veto of Finnegans Wake's expansion plans and the immediate unanimous veto override, Councilmanic Privilege basically gives you 10 mayors.

Each mayor is a district council member over a section of Philly. Each district council member has executive powers, because they can send commandments down to Mayoral-controlled departments to execute certain functions in the name of constituent service. But mostly, it's when it comes down to property transactions where this power is manifest---and that is that nothing happens outside of party-to-party private land transactions in the district without the forewarning and approval of the district council member.


As you can see, Nutter is pretty powerless when it comes to that.


The reason why the At-Large members like David Oh do not ever vote against a property transaction is because the 10 district council members can easily lock them out of having any legislative say for the remainder of their term. You look at At-Large members like Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown who is trying to start initiatives of her own; if she so much as dared as cross any of the district council members on any single issue, they can shut her down to the point where all she can do is turn up and collect a paycheck and get a few minutes of time on the microphone.


Philly really has 11 mayors, not 1. It's Nutter and the small group of 10 district council members who collectively hold more power than the mayor.

You are exactly right, AS.
I have long questioned the need and usefulness of At-Large councilpeople. You would think that since these At-Large councilpeople represent the ENTIRE city,-every homeowner, renter, business and voter, they'd practice a more city-wide benefit oversight position. You would think they would be obligated to take a look at the BIG PICTURE, and vote accordingly.
It seems everyone has an agenda.

Which of our councilpeople are on the committee who voted on the approval/denial of these land transactions? Was it a committee? Or a vote of full council?

[Cya]

The Vacant Property Review Committee. Here's the part of the City Code which created it and what's its charged with doing:

§16-404. The Vacant Property Review Committee.


(5) The Vacant Property Review Committee, in conjunction with the City Planning Commission, upon making a determination that any property is blighted, and not readily acquirable by donation for reasons as hereinbefore provided in the legislative findings, may certify said blighted property to the Redevelopment Authority for acquisition pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 94 of June 23, 1978, amending the act of May 24, 1945 (P.L. 991, No. 385) known as the "Urban Redevelopment Law," except that:[36]

Thank you, AS!
Another layer is revealed.
Who is on the "Vacant Property Review Committee"? (VPRC)

[Cya]

The community leans on the Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who then leans on someone at the RDA.

But isn't Councilman Kenyatta Johnson new to city council? These lots in question-- and others-- have been sitting and rotting in squalor condition for years. Who was the district councilperson prior to Kenyatta Johnson?

[Hospitalitygirl]

But isn't Councilman Kenyatta Johnson new to city council? These lots in question-- and others-- have been sitting and rotting in squalor condition for years. Who was the district councilperson prior to Kenyatta Johnson?

It doesnt matter that he's new to Shi++y Council; he's been in politics for years and he is a district councilman which holds more sway than an at-large position.

[Cya]

It doesnt matter that he's new to Shi++y Council; he's been in politics for years and he is a district councilman which holds more sway than an at-large position.

I wonder if this businessman, Orie (?), and the other investors who have tried to purchase RDA lots over the years actually have a discrimination lawsuit in their favor?

The City of Philadelphia ignored applications (Pleas!) by qualified individuals to legally take ownership of land.
Was the city intentionally discriminating against these applicants because they were "investors"? Because they were "white investors"?

[Gladys]

I wonder if this businessman, Orie (?), and the other investors who have tried to purchase RDA lots over the years actually have a discrimination lawsuit in their favor?

The City of Philadelphia ignored applications (Pleas!) by qualified individuals to legally take ownership of land.
Was the city intentionally discriminating against these applicants because they were "investors"? Because they were "white investors"?

ya think? that's fairly obvious but no one want's to go there. it's time the national news became involved. Or someone smart in washington. It is an election year, if the dems wanted a black eye this would give them one.

It's hideous that this discrimination at the city level has gone on for so long and so very blatantly.

[Cya]

ya think? that's fairly obvious but no one want's to go there. it's time the national news became involved. Or someone smart in washington. It is an election year, if the dems wanted a black eye this would give them one.

It's hideous that this discrimination at the city level has gone on for so long and so very blatantly.

You're right. Then, let's agree that this appears to be racial discrimination executed by the City of Philadelphia.

[Gladys]

You're right. Then, let's agree that this appears to be racial discrimination executed by the City of Philadelphia.

Agreed.

[MarketStEl]

If they would open their eyes, realize that people generally don't vote according to race anymore they would see that all they have to do is be good and wise leaders to get the vote. This is sickening.

When has goodness and wisdom had anything to do with how this city is run?

We have had good people in City Hall, but wise?

Our current Mayor is a good person. That and $1.00 will get you a cup of coffee.

Moving back to that attitude I characterized (and fwiw, the conversation concerned something happening in a place far from Point Breeze but within city limits), the "understandable" part is that when you have a group of people who (rightly or wrongly) feel they have gotten the short end of the stick for too long, and that group finds itself in control of something they can exercise power over, they will act to maintain that control. As I said, that doesn't make it right.

[Cro Burnham]

How does this RDA board, consisting of the above mentioned people, come into play?

I don't know about Smyler, but the rest of that Board are all sophisticated, pro-development people, not thuggish Philadelphia politico types. I think most of them serve at the pleasure of the Mayor, so I'm guessing that any voting they may have done about this came via mayoral directive. Sounds like

I think we lay this at Nutter's feet. He's probably knuckling under to pressure from the reanimated Neanderthals known as Philadelphia City Council are responsible for this, based on the explanation of councilmanic prerogative as it relates to RDA properties.

I had low expectations for Kenyatta from the beginning, now they have been validated. To think that we could have a worse dimwit than Verna for that district. I guess we do now.

The VPRC process has been desperately corrupt for at least 30 years. It's one of those many dysfunctional city institutions that everyone always talks about the need to jettison, but never get round to because reptile-brained council people, voted for by flatworm-brained constituents, will never let it happen. When you have so little natural talent as these council folk, you have to scavenge for any moldy, maggot-infested shard of crust you can. It's always about maintaining the same or larger proportion of the proverbial shrinking pie rather than settling for an equal or smaller proportion of a growing pie.

This is obvious in Point Breeze, a god-forsaken place most of which more closely resembles Detroit than the majority of Philly. Over the decades, the pie here has shrunk from maybe a decent-size Entemann's down to the stale half-gnawed mucous-covered remains of a Kandykake with all the chocolate and peanut butter licked off.

[Gladys]

When has goodness and wisdom had anything to do with how this city is run?

We have had good people in City Hall, but wise?

Our current Mayor is a good person. That and $1.00 will get you a cup of coffee.

I know. I live in foolish hope, but hope all the same.

I had low expectations for Kenyatta from the beginning, now they have been validated. To think that we could have a worse dimwit than Verna for that district. I guess we do now.

It's enough to make me finally want to register democrat just to vote in the primary and have some say. It's sickening that I am forced to do that just to have a say in who runs my district. I have never registered with any party, and was hoping never to do it. But this stuff is not to be tolerated. It all may backfire for him if there are enough people like me who are ticked off. If he was a good representative, or turns around and becomes one, i'd vote for him but so far he just seems to be stuck in the muck of racist philly power plays. It's truly a shame, as we have all seen when you have to spend all your time just shoring up your base nothing good ever moves forward. So far he is not representing his entire district, if he stays in the past he will loose next round. If he evolves he could win.

I am a proponent of affordable housing done right. The question is, is that possible in this case? Recent examples appear to say otherwise.

I like Nutter, it's refreshing to see an intelligent, articulate, non-thug, well educated man in the office. Sometimes I wonder if the office isn't just a figurehead position for the most part.

[Spicoli]

It's much more direct than that. Only City Council members can put forward properties to go before the VPRC, and City Council members are part of the voting party which grants approval for both acquisition and disposal of properties.

It is the absolute discretion of the City Council member whose district is impacted...who he chooses to listen to or not is his absolute discretion as well.

I won't even pretend to tell you how to run your business, and my guess is that you're already thinking this, but I'd suggest you try to find a good challenger to Kenyatta when he runs again (is it a two year term?). Kenyatta barely won his initial term. Like others have already stated, many (inlcuding me), had low expectations for him....and it seems he's not even coming close to meeting even that low bar set for him.

Anyone who pays attention at all to development in SWCC knows that Ori works his a$$ off in the area for development. Also, he also has an eye towards improving the neighborhood and not just make a buck. Its also his livelihood, so no one should fault him for wanting to make money off the neighborhood. Its that the tradeoff has been a benefit to the community.

If you can find a good dynaminc, pro-development candidate to run against Kenyatta and figure out a way to support and rally the community support for this candidate, we could get that idiot out of there.

If Kenyatta had won hs election by a landslide, I'd admit it would be a tall order. However, I think he won by less than 100 votes, so his seat is by no means secure.

I think our political system in our city sucks....but if it ain't changing anytime soon...use it to get your guy in there.

[MarketStEl]

This is obvious in Point Breeze, a god-forsaken place most of which more closely resembles Detroit than the majority of Philly. Over the decades, the pie here has shrunk from maybe a decent-size Entemann's down to the stale half-gnawed mucous-covered remains of a Kandykake with all the chocolate and peanut butter licked off.

Wanna write for the RE Blog?

[MarketStEl]

From what I understand, Philadelphia has a "strong mayor" form of government, which means that the mayor actually wields executive power (as opposed to a council-manager government, in which the mayor is usually a figurehead or simply the chair of the municipal legislature and administrative power rests in the hands of an appointed city manager; this is the form of government my hometown of Kansas City, Mo., has).

"Strong mayor," it appears, does not mean the mayor always gets his way. Nor should it: the municipal legislature is supposed to represent the interests of the city's various neighborhoods (with at-large representatives representing the interest of the whole, along with the mayor, presumably) and should have a voice in how the city is run. But we only get a government as good as we elect. I won't go into details on the demographics, but to point you in one direction, I at once represent a plurality and a minority of this city's population.

Edited to add: If I could suggest one possible reform, it would be to adopt the method for electing the city council that obtains in my hometown. The city is (or was when I lived there; the number may have increased since then, but I doubt it) divided into six districts, each of which has two councilmembers, one elected by the voters who live in the district and the other elected by the entire city electorate. (The mayor is the tie-breaking vote on the council. There would have to be some modification of this for our situation, perhaps one seat elected citywide and not tied to a specific district.) This, IMO, would strengthen the hand of the at-large representatives and maybe even eliminate that "councilmanic prerogative" business.