It's Official - Redevelopment Authority is Insane

[carloss]

Make that international.

Ori Feibush: Real estate developer spent $20,000 to transform vacant lot to garden told he was trespassing | Mail Online

Un. Be. Lievable.

Truth be told, the Daily Mail is basically Britain's version of a national tabloid, so it's only less sensationalistic than the N.Y Post by a few notches. Still...it takes some pretty mad connections and PR skills to get this much publicity over an empty lot this fast.

I hope Chrystie is enjoying the media s**tstorm that he is cluelessly continuing to exacerbate.

[Gladys]

It's clear its the city government that is at fault, too bad but if that's what it takes to make them sit up straight well go for it.

Some of the comments are priceless.

JLS1950C
9:25 PM EDT
Sep 18, 2012
Ben Franklin would and the Continental Congress delegates would ALL be horrified.

CRAZYOLDMARINE
9:14 PM EDT
Sep 18, 2012
Goverment at its best Their just #### because they could not charge the TAX PAYERS money ,so they could pocket it themselves

lqrand
9:00 PM EDT
Sep 18, 2012
Exactly why they call it filthadelphia, and I got that word from a friend who lives there. So that's what the residence call the place. How flipping stupid are the jerks opposing this man spending his own money to clean up your mess.

******

God forbid a citizen tries to help!! Filthadelphia beuracracy!

******

Wow ! A pox upon your house Philadelphia. You are the perfect example of why State Government always gets involved in things that should be handled by the municipality. And to the major . . . . . . Your shame can never be mitigated for missing this completely.

******

The city is trippin!!! They couldnt or wouldnt take the time to clean this eyesore...but he took his OWN money and did it? Man, please...THANK THE MAN...dont punish him for it!!!!! If only the city politicians were truly as dedicated to the city...SMH...

******

No good deed goes unpunished. Somebody's ego got bruised and now with this report they look like the incompetent government workers they really are. Big fish, little pond, and someone peed in it.

******

This is CLASSIC red tape. They're EMPARRASSED that all it took was an ordinary citizen to make a blighted and neglected lot into a outdoor venue for patrons. They would rather haggle over whose property it is. That is EXACTLY why certain areas of the city (and I don't even live in Philly - but visit there and am originally from NYC) same red-tape...different city. Swallow your pride city officials and get the other lots cleaned up...you might even want to consult Feibush on those projects. He could even SAVE you some money.

[annie]

Controller blasts city for dispute over Point Breeze lot

The city disputes Feibush's claims that tried to buy the lot and maintains that Feibush was told not to intervene there. Mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald said that a letter Feibush sent Tuesday to the authority was his first official declaration of interest in purchasing the property.

"Today he took - finally - the first step toward throwing his hat in the ring for that property," said mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald, adding that three other parties had already asked about buying the property before Feibush made improvements there.

McDonald says Feibush has purchased other city-owned properties in the past, knows the correct procedures regarding making improvements to them and chose to ignore the process this time around.

[Gladys]

I'm sure Ori can produce records. He seems pretty meticulous about that.

[ofeibush]

Tuesday was my first request? Game on.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ori Feibush <ori@ocfrealty.com>
Date: Mon, May 21, 2012 at 11:56 AM
Subject: Re: 1138-42 S. 20th
To: Steve Cobb <Steve.Cobb@phila.gov>
Cc: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Thank you Steve. I submitted a 3rd request for the lot through the RDA's website so there may be multiple requests from us for the same parcel. Vito Canuso, also submitted one on our behalf last year. I would not press the subject if not for what transpired with the 20th Street lots last month....worried things got lost in the shuffle over at the RDA.

Regards,

Ori


On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 10:11 AM, Steve Cobb <Steve.Cobb@phila.gov> wrote:
Ori - I will look into this and get back to you.

Best,

Steven A. Cobb, Esq.

Director of Legislation

Office of City Councilman
Kenyatta Johnson
City Hall, Room 580
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 686-3412
(215) 686-1932 Fax

[annie]

I'm sure Ori can produce records. He seems pretty meticulous about that.

Oh I'm sure. That part of the article was more interesting than Butkovitz coming out to oppose something Johnson's behind.

[Cro Burnham]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 10:11 AM, Steve Cobb <Steve.Cobb@phila.gov> wrote:
Ori - I will look into this and get back to you.

Best,

Steven A. Cobb, Esq.

Director of Legislation

Office of City Councilman
Kenyatta Johnson
City Hall, Room 580
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 686-3412
(215) 686-1932 Fax

Apparently your "look into this" achieved jack squat, Mr. Cobb Esq. Hey, adding "Esq" to the back of your name sure sounds cool, even if you are a fcuk up!

Congratulations on further contributing to Philadelphia's deep and storied legacy as a squalid prison gang bang of corruption, underachievement, brain dead politicians and their pathetic little dusty-kneed lackies. You and your boss should be proud of the work you don't do!

There's a reason Barack Obama came from Chicago and not Philadelphia. Chicago is a place where doing big things is expected. Philly is a place where being small and stupid is rewarded. You've come to the right place, son.

Congratulations, Councilman KJ and staff, for following in a deep tradition of playing to the lowest common denominator! May your Philadelphia political careers be long, rich in DROP payments, and lacking in any distinction whatsoever: all true marks of success in a city known for great turn of the century success stories such as MOVE, ABSCAM, the Street "Brothers", Vince Fumo, Rick Mariano, the Black Israelites, the Carpenter's Union, Queen Arlene, Carl Greene, SEPTA tokens, and that ever bird-sh!t-encrusted subway entrance at Two Penn Center.

Based on the latest happenings at 20th and Point Breeze, I have complete faith that you too will achieve this special Philly kind of success.

Keep up the uselessness, and steer clear of pu$$yish personal reflections on the what it means to live a life of meaning! That'll just take your eye off the real prize: DROP and a wasted life.

[ArcticSplash]

Now it's in the London tabloids:

Ori Feibush: Real estate developer spent $20,000 to transform vacant lot to garden told he was trespassing | Mail Online

[annie]

Apparently your "look into this" achieved jack squat, Mr. Cobb Esq. Hey, adding "Esq" to the back of your name sure sounds cool, even if you are a fcuk up!

Congratulations on further contributing to Philadelphia's deep and storied legacy as a squalid prison gang bang of corruption, underachievement, brain dead politicians and their pathetic little dusty-kneed lackies. You and your boss should be proud of the work you don't do!

There's a reason Barack Obama came from Chicago and not Philadelphia. Chicago is a place where doing big things is expected. Philly is a place where being small and stupid is rewarded. You've come to the right place, son.

Congratulations, Councilman KJ and staff, for following in a deep tradition of playing to the lowest common denominator! May your Philadelphia political careers be long, rich in DROP payments, and lacking in any distinction whatsoever: all true marks of success in a city known for great turn of the century success stories such as MOVE, ABSCAM, the Street "Brothers", Vince Fumo, Rick Mariano, the Black Israelites, the Carpenter's Union, Queen Arlene, Carl Greene, SEPTA tokens, and that ever bird-sh!t-encrusted subway entrance at Two Penn Center.

Based on the latest happenings at 20th and Point Breeze, I have complete faith that you too will achieve this special Philly kind of success.

Keep up the uselessness, and steer clear of pu$$yish personal reflections on the what it means to live a life of meaning! That'll just take your eye off the real prize: DROP and a wasted life.

To be fair to Cobb, it's not like he can get very far if his boss doesn't want the lot sold.

[ArcticSplash]

I just sent a very strong message to the Mayor's press office to drop the "he only contacted us last week" crap. CC'd some of Council who sit on the L&I committee (who also cover PRA topics) and the press.

Come on it's not like we don't know the real reason why the PRA is doing this. Does the City really want to force it to the surface? It's not going to make the City look any better.

City of Philadelphia Loses Face Over RDA Lot - Philadelinquency

[Eames]

While I am not a card carrying Republican, this whole story gives massive credence to their position that if you want something done right, don't let government get involved - leave it to the private sector. City owns lot for 32 years and kept it a dump. Private citizen decides to clean it up and its a beautiful space in a matter of weeks. City tries to fine citizen.

[Hospitalitygirl]

While I am not a card carrying Republican, this whole story gives massive credence to their position that if you want something done right, don't let government get involved - leave it to the private sector. City owns lot for 32 years and kept it a dump. Private citizen decides to clean it up and its a beautiful space in a matter of weeks. City tries to fine citizen.

It really does make you think that we need to do things significantly differently here.

[Spicoli]

I just sent a very strong message to the Mayor's press office to drop the "he only contacted us last week" crap. CC'd some of Council who sit on the L&I committee (who also cover PRA topics) and the press.

Come on it's not like we don't know the real reason why the PRA is doing this. Does the City really want to force it to the surface? It's not going to make the City look any better.

City of Philadelphia Loses Face Over RDA Lot - Philadelinquency

Good post.

Though I wonder why more heat isn't coming down on Kenyatta surrounding this. Since its sounding like he's the little bird who chirped to the RDA when Ori made the improvements. There is no way the RDA would've noticed this going unless someone with a big political stick hit them over the head with it.

[ArcticSplash]

Good post.

Though I wonder why more heat isn't coming down on Kenyatta surrounding this. Since its sounding like he's the little bird who chirped to the RDA when Ori made the improvements. There is no way the RDA would've noticed this going unless someone with a big political stick hit them over the head with it.

I think the heat on Kenyatta is only starting to surface.

In about an hour I will be getting my hands on some more documents.


It won't make Kenyatta look any better than he does already.

[ArcticSplash]

The story's now hit FARK.

Fox News is also gonna pick it up.

[Spicoli]

I think the heat on Kenyatta is only starting to surface.

In about an hour I will be getting my hands on some more documents.


It won't make Kenyatta look any better than he does already.

Good. Skewer him. Maybe, just maybe these guys will start to realize they are there to serve a district.....not own a fiefdom in the the kingdom.

[PBResident]

Just got interviewed by CBS (or CW?) while walking past the garden. Not sure when the story is airing.

[Cro Burnham]

To be fair to Cobb, it's not like he can get very far if his boss doesn't want the lot sold.

I totally agree. What it means is that if Cobb is an wise person, he'll start looking for a new job and a new boss ASAP. Who with any self respect would work for that kind of boss but a lackey or someone with very little respect?

[seand]

I totally agree. What it means is that if Cobb is an wise person, he'll start looking for a new job and a new boss ASAP. Who with any self respect would work for that kind of boss but a lackey or someone with very little respect?

Somebody who realizes that once in place, district council people are very rarely, if ever voted out in Philadelphia. Janey Blackwell burns through a steady stream of legislative aides as well, but they all stay around just long enough to securely locate their next job, even as they grow increasingly unable to stomach putting a nice face on the boss's bad old ways.

[PBResident]

The Embarrassing Cluelessness of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority | NakedPhilly