Will Newbold Be Erased as a Neighborhood by Councilman Johnson?

[ArcticSplash]

Local Politicians Link-Up With Anti-Development Group - Philadelinquency

Kenyatta Johnson says he supports development. But, does he? Earlier this month, this event flyer was circulating around Point Breeze for a rally held this past Saturday:


One among many things that irk anti-development activists in Point Breeze is the neighborhood name of Newbold.

In prominent attendance was local anti-development activist Teresa McCormick as well as local politicians Kenyatta Johnson, State Rep. Jordan Harris and director of South Philly H.O.M.E.S. Claudia Sherrod, who is an affordable housing developer in Point Breeze and whose organization has primary zoning representation in Point Breeze.

What’s the beef and why the event? Well, I think I’ve explained that one quite well.

One angle that’s often forgotten about and was just brought up this weekend is the hatred over the name Newbold. In case you’ve never heard of Newbold, it’s a community that hugs the western side of South Broad Street and continues a few blocks in. Here on the City of Philadelphia’s official map of registered community organizations, Newbold has two RCO’s: Newbold Neighbors Association (website), and Newbold Civic (website).

Interestingly enough, both civic websites heavily feature residents and members picking up trash and cleaning up lots within their respective areas.

Parts of both RCO’s official territories overlap with South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S., which is considered the official zoning voice over the area between Broad Street and Gray’s Ferry.



Newbold Neighbors Association (blue line)

Approximately 40 people were in attendance at the chilly morning rally, mostly infuriated over market-rate development and lack of affordable housing, with carefully-laced references to classism peppered throughout. While the content of the oratory was banal, the overarching message was clear to those in attendance: “We don’t like Newbold and think it must go away.”

Does that mean Kenyatta Johnson wants to see Newbold erased off the City Planning Commission maps and to have both civics decertified? Only time can tell.

Concerned Citizens of Point Breeze, Philadelinquency has learned, has put in an application to become an RCO. This could get interesting.

[Giavella Water]

Just look at the flyer. No whites. That is the true purpose of the march. The Human Relations Commission and Fair housing should look into this. Kenyatta Johnson should be censured.

[seand]

These threads always make me thirsty.
Newbold IPA

[MNG1324]

Eliminating a name isn't going to dampen the demand for new housing near Center City. Unfortunatelly not making buildable lots available from the various City agencies will. I need to research the process for getting tax deliquent properties to sheriff sales. If i put up the money to force a sale do i get the money back as the first lienholder? if that's the case i'll put 100k up to force as many sales as possible. Of course the City might take them all back from me thru eminant domaine.

[Giavella Water]

Eliminating a name isn't going to dampen the demand for new housing near Center City. Unfortunatelly not making buildable lots available from the various City agencies will. I need to research the process for getting tax deliquent properties to sheriff sales. If i put up the money to force a sale do i get the money back as the first lienholder? if that's the case i'll put 100k up to force as many sales as possible. Of course the City might take them all back from me thru eminant domaine.

Even if they pass a law that NO empty lots are to be sold, the bigots can't stop whites from buying homes and renovating them.

These folks and thir political friends are setting themselves up for some mighty expensive lawsuits if only the agencies that are supposed to stand up for the rights of ALL people would step up to he plate.

[hubba1]

Even if they pass a law that NO empty lots are to be sold, the bigots can't stop whites from buying homes and renovating them.

These folks and thir political friends are setting themselves up for some mighty expensive lawsuits if only the agencies that are supposed to stand up for the rights of ALL people would step up to he plate.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again...where I live, 15th and Mifflin area, is NOT nearly the same as 24th and Moore or Point Breeze ave... so they can keep Point Breeze, just let the few blocks West of Broad have Newbold..because it is not Pt Breeze..different mentality-we actually like progress and change in our area.

[thoth]

I'm glad the CCPB are spending their time fixating on the "name" of a neighborhood (as though that were actually anything more than a theoretical, social concept) because it means they'll have less time and capacity to damage actual progress in the neighborhood.

[ArcticSplash]

I've been told that multiple peeps videotaped this thing. Hope it makes its way on Youtube.

You have to wonder---Kenyatta, no matter what... will have to face these people in Newbold in 2015 during the Council primary races. And actually the politicking for it starts in summer of 2015 if not a bit earlier than that.

[2happy4u]

Progress = high tax by Mayor Nutter. more new/nice homes means tax will skyrocket in a few years. The ideology of city hall must change before the city can move forward.

[ArcticSplash]

Progress = high tax by Mayor Nutter. more new/nice homes means tax will skyrocket in a few years. The ideology of city hall must change before the city can move forward.

I'm hesitant to even start contemplating what Naked AVI will actually do to Point Breeze. The City is not politically stupid and it will ensure that there is a safety net for low fixed income homeowners (ala the Gentrification Protection Plan), otherwise it will be a 2015 bloodbath the likes no one has ever seen at the polling station.

But for those newer post-2000 homeowners, it's a bit murky. You'll have 3 story roofdeck homes with high taxes seated adjacent to original 2 story, low tax properties next door.


That IMMEDIATELY sets a ceiling for Point Breeze property and I argue it will actually light a huge fire under gentrification if market forces dictate that 2 story rehabs are the way to go.

A significantly large chunk of Point Breeze is rental property. About 50% of every block. If slumlords start dumping their properties on to builders, it will take the City a while to recomp the houses and THEN you create a much bigger problem:


Rehabbed 2 stories with similar floorplans and space immediately next door to other original 2 stories. Actuarial science dictates that the valuations of the original 2 stories will then begin to rise because they're being purchased at higher rates for higher amounts and being turned into higher value properties. That will mean a rapid exit of lots of existing renters out of Point Breeze that will be unable to shoulder the rising prevailing rents and aslo unable to purchase market 2 story property because builders are paying over what those houses fetched pre-gentrification. Zero sum game for Kenyatta and lots of people will curse his name when they load up the moving van. That's what I see as what is likely to happen.

The City will be unable to stop private owners from flipping 2 story homes to each other even though it keeps PB designated as a blight zone. For the City to start picking up and start holding on to ready-to-own property it would have to have a large mortgage finance operation to resell the homes itself to a targeted constituency. The only real developer who even remotely comes close to having that kind of facility is Universal Companies and they do not have the capital to underwrite rehab turnovers back to low-income residents at a high rate.

What's more palpable is a repeat of Hawthrone: The City + PHA partner up on a project to obliterate 3 to 6 blocks of Point Breeze for a compound development of mixed-income. That will sit politically well with both newcomers and original PB residents. [Still won't make McCormick happy but she'll be drowned out by everyone else].



If Kenyatta screws the pooch, he could be blamed for rapid gentrification of the neighborhood and do himself in by also eroding his electorate; provided he chooses not to flip sides and start ignoring the increased din of McCormick & Co.

[Giavella Water]

I just hope these developers get together and go to the Human Relations Commission or some such other group that will stop this civil rights violation.

[BarryG]

I'm hesitant to even start contemplating what Naked AVI will actually do to Point Breeze. The City is not politically stupid and it will ensure that there is a safety net for low fixed income homeowners (ala the Gentrification Protection Plan), otherwise it will be a 2015 bloodbath the likes no one has ever seen at the polling station.

But for those newer post-2000 homeowners, it's a bit murky. You'll have 3 story roofdeck homes with high taxes seated adjacent to original 2 story, low tax properties next door.


That IMMEDIATELY sets a ceiling for Point Breeze property and I argue it will actually light a huge fire under gentrification if market forces dictate that 2 story rehabs are the way to go.

A significantly large chunk of Point Breeze is rental property. About 50% of every block. If slumlords start dumping their properties on to builders, it will take the City a while to recomp the houses and THEN you create a much bigger problem:


Rehabbed 2 stories with similar floorplans and space immediately next door to other original 2 stories. Actuarial science dictates that the valuations of the original 2 stories will then begin to rise because they're being purchased at higher rates for higher amounts and being turned into higher value properties. That will mean a rapid exit of lots of existing renters out of Point Breeze that will be unable to shoulder the rising prevailing rents and aslo unable to purchase market 2 story property because builders are paying over what those houses fetched pre-gentrification. Zero sum game for Kenyatta and lots of people will curse his name when they load up the moving van. That's what I see as what is likely to happen.

The City will be unable to stop private owners from flipping 2 story homes to each other even though it keeps PB designated as a blight zone. For the City to start picking up and start holding on to ready-to-own property it would have to have a large mortgage finance operation to resell the homes itself to a targeted constituency. The only real developer who even remotely comes close to having that kind of facility is Universal Companies and they do not have the capital to underwrite rehab turnovers back to low-income residents at a high rate.

What's more palpable is a repeat of Hawthrone: The City + PHA partner up on a project to obliterate 3 to 6 blocks of Point Breeze for a compound development of mixed-income. That will sit politically well with both newcomers and original PB residents. [Still won't make McCormick happy but she'll be drowned out by everyone else].



If Kenyatta screws the pooch, he could be blamed for rapid gentrification of the neighborhood and do himself in by also eroding his electorate; provided he chooses not to flip sides and start ignoring the increased din of McCormick & Co.

This is basically what I was thinking. Gentrification continues no matter what Kenyatta does, meanwhile the pro development folks are alienated and energized. He's screwed from both sides.

[Gladys]

Just look at the flyer. No whites. That is the true purpose of the march. The Human Relations Commission and Fair housing should look into this. Kenyatta Johnson should be censured.

It's not often I say this but i agree completely with you.

Even if they pass a law that NO empty lots are to be sold, the bigots can't stop whites from buying homes and renovating them.

These folks and thir political friends are setting themselves up for some mighty expensive lawsuits if only the agencies that are supposed to stand up for the rights of ALL people would step up to he plate.

I'm glad the CCPB are spending their time fixating on the "name" of a neighborhood (as though that were actually anything more than a theoretical, social concept) because it means they'll have less time and capacity to damage actual progress in the neighborhood.

Exactly, pick up a broom or something and that time would be worth much more.

I just hope these developers get together and go to the Human Relations Commission or some such other group that will stop this civil rights violation.

That would be a great thing to see indeed.

[DaTruf]

Gentrification: the reason my welfare was cut.

Really?

[seand]

Gentrification: the reason my welfare was cut.

Really?

Gentrification means more people are paying more taxes to the city of Philadelphia. Its not "welfare" per se but stopping gentrification, if you do it, just means the city doesn't have money to pay for schools and cops and firefighters and street cleaning and social workers. If anything gentrification pays for the city worker that helps somebody like this actually turn in their forms correctly so they can continue to qualify for their welfare. Ironically.

[JakeL]

Gentrification: the reason my welfare was cut.

Really?

Framing a question by saying, "Do you think gentrification which kicks people out due to rising property values is a good thing or a bad thing?" sets this video up from the start of a lopsided viewpoint. Meanwhile, multiple studies, such as the one reported in this article ('Yuppie Scum' Save the 'Hood - ABC News) find that the rate of longtime residents is lower in gentrifying neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, no one in these videos is asking, "Do you think the three homicides in the neighborhood are a good thing or a bad thing?" If you want to talk about what pushes people out of neighborhoods, let's discuss what actually forces them out, namely violent crime.

[OffenseTaken]

Gentrification means more people are paying more taxes to the city of Philadelphia. Its not "welfare" per se but stopping gentrification, if you do it, just means the city doesn't have money to pay for schools and cops and firefighters and street cleaning and social workers. If anything gentrification pays for the city worker that helps somebody like this actually turn in their forms correctly so they can continue to qualify for their welfare. Ironically.

Thus the appeal of having those expenses paid by revenue coming from outside the city. Then it doesn't matter how unsustainable your community is; it keeps getting sustained, as if by magic.

[seand]

Thus the appeal of having those expenses paid by revenue coming from outside the city. Then it doesn't matter how unsustainable your community is; it keeps getting sustained, as if by magic.

On the other hand, why shouldn't our Main Line bretheren help to sustain some of the cost of keeping our disproportionate share of old and disabled alive?

When the burbs carry as much of the burden for the mentally ill and "affordable housing" as we do proportionally we can talk, but right now its not even close.

[ArcticSplash]

Thus the appeal of having those expenses paid by revenue coming from outside the city. Then it doesn't matter how unsustainable your community is; it keeps getting sustained, as if by magic.

Harrisburg isn't willing to send over new monies--not for quite a while now. So the remaining option is the Feds. Fat chance Congressmen like Brady or Fattah can get funding tagged for large scale low income development sent their way. The NSP program is not a permanent source of funding either. It will expire.

[bootsywannabe]

Clarke and KJ et al have always tried to blame huge increases in real estate tax bills on yuppies.

But it is the City which reassesses the homes of older residents, and forces them to sell in many cases.

We need to draw attention back to Clarke and KJ, who as City Council Members are largely responsible for huge tax increases.

We should support a tax rate of 1%, and assessments based solely on cost basis - what you paid for your home, plus improvements, and maybe a small 1% increase in the assessment each year.

Insisting that everyone should pay the same amount of tax is unfair because cost basis varies widely. And it hands a victory to guys like Clarke and KJ, because now the newbies are arguing for taxing the crap out of everyone in the name of fairness.

We should not be advocating for taxing the crap out of everyone.