Artists Villa Getting a Little Out of Control

[darthsinatra]

I used to live across the street from this monstrosity. Even 15 years ago it was lifeless and the people living in it looked like zombies. Our landlord was The Regis Group. They had an office on site at the Artists' Village and there was a receptionist we used to give our rent checks to. She was a nasty little creature. They were very difficult to deal with, and not very responsive to their tenants. None of what is happening here is surprising to me.

[Coco]

These two buildings were CHOP's former research buildings - there were also row homes facing Fitzwater at 17th Street used/owned by CHOP that were later demolished. These two buildings sat empty for more years than I care to remember and the whole lot deteriorated with fairly large weed trees growing all over the place. We were all delighted when Regis/Ingerman came in to develop this into subsidized apartments (not much else was "a go" back then). The name "Artists' Village" was expressing the hope of (starving) artists living there who would/could enhance our community with their creativity but that never really materialized. The community room was relinquished to make room for the computers supporting the wireless equipment.

[cccomp]

My understanding of the Artist's Village idea was that it was supposed to resemble the set up of similar properties in NYC, subsidized housing costs for artists because their income waxes and wanes unpredictably. This was negotiated instead of building Section 8 housing there, which in turn was said to be a requirement for a zoning change to allow the rest of the block to be leveled and turned into the (rather dreary and suburban) market-rate Coventry Village complex. (The requirement for a certain amount of low income housing was at it is now, an effort to prevent wholesale displacement of the older residents.)

What likely prevented this from working (as it could and still does in Manhattan) is what has been mentioned above - there was a time limit on the requirement, and never any serious thought to make it work long-term, just use the 'artists' to help gentrify because who the hell would buy in Coventry Village if Section 8 was on the corner. I never heard that there was any effort at all to determine who was an "artist" of any sort, nor were the apartments ever actually priced low enough for an actual starving artist of any type (and I can vouch for [I]that[I] first hand.)

This was all before the MLK towers went down, too. The Village building was in fact the Youth Study Center for a while after CHOP left, and then vacant for at least 15 years. 17th and Fitzwater was known as a heroin dealing corner back in the 70's.

In sum, those who point the finger at the developer are more likely to be on target than blaming the actual residents.

[Gladys]

These two buildings were CHOP's former research buildings - there were also row homes facing Fitzwater at 17th Street used/owned by CHOP that were later demolished. These two buildings sat empty for more years than I care to remember and the whole lot deteriorated with fairly large weed trees growing all over the place. We were all delighted when Regis/Ingerman came in to develop this into subsidized apartments (not much else was "a go" back then). The name "Artists' Village" was expressing the hope of (starving) artists living there who would/could enhance our community with their creativity but that never really materialized. The community room was relinquished to make room for the computers supporting the wireless equipment.

if there were such a place i would absolutely apply. I know some who live in a building for artists on 43rd st in ny and it's a great thing!

[londoner]

Zoning notice at artists villa today---looks like they want to subdivide the lot into two parcels, then build a 34 unit apartment complex in the middle? Anyone have further details? Zoning meeting next week.

[NorthPhilly]

Can someone explain the concept of this building? Do they live here rent free? Who pays for it? etc. etc. I don't know anything about it, just looking for more information, thanks.

[fitzer]

Can someone explain the concept of this building? Do they live here rent free? Who pays for it? etc. etc. I don't know anything about it, just looking for more information, thanks.

I've lived next to the darn thing for a few years now, and everything I know about it I learned from this thread.

[thoth]

Zoning notice refers to the existing bldg. Green space will be eliminated.

Artist Village Doubling in Size? | NakedPhilly

[NorthPhilly]

February Zoning Committee Meeting | SOSNA | South of South Neighborhood Association

"700 South 17th Street: Erection of four single-family homes - two facing Colorado St, two facing 17th Street - with rear-access parking off Fitzwater Street."

Where can I find more information about this prior to the zoning meeting? I'm just trying to grasp what this is being used for and how they're able to build 4 houses on the lot. It appears taxes will be going down 54% if this is accurate:
Property Tax Changes | AxisPhilly

[fitzer]

February Zoning Committee Meeting | SOSNA | South of South Neighborhood Association

"700 South 17th Street: Erection of four single-family homes - two facing Colorado St, two facing 17th Street - with rear-access parking off Fitzwater Street."

Where can I find more information about this prior to the zoning meeting? I'm just trying to grasp what this is being used for and how they're able to build 4 houses on the lot. It appears taxes will be going down 54% if this is accurate:
Property Tax Changes | AxisPhilly

Any chance I can appeal someone else's assessment? You can bet that I, who live across the street from them, am thrilled that my property tax will go up by potentially 130%, while theirs go down by 54%.

I can see their being able to build 4 small family homes there, but I'm having trouble envisioning that in combination with the rear access parking. I imagine that will also take away several street parking spots, which won't please those who use the Marian Anderson Center regularly.

[NorthPhilly]

Part of the reason I'm interested in this is because someone mentioned the Artists Village as getting tax breaks for offering the low rent housing. I'm just curious how that works because now they're selling off 4 lots for, what I'm assuming, will be huge profits. In addition, as you mention, there will be curb cuts and loss of green space. Yet somehow their taxes are decreasing 54%.

These boards have been dead lately, I'm not seeing much of a response to this. I wonder if this is/will be discussed anywhere else? Fitzer, be sure to go to the zoning committee meeting tomorrow to get more information. I am hoping to be there, but might not make it in time. I'd love to hear back from you on here if you make it to the meeting.

[fitzer]

Part of the reason I'm interested in this is because someone mentioned the Artists Village as getting tax breaks for offering the low rent housing. I'm just curious how that works because now they're selling off 4 lots for, what I'm assuming, will be huge profits. In addition, as you mention, there will be curb cuts and loss of green space. Yet somehow their taxes are decreasing 54%.

These boards have been dead lately, I'm not seeing much of a response to this. I wonder if this is/will be discussed anywhere else? Fitzer, be sure to go to the zoning committee meeting tomorrow to get more information. I am hoping to be there, but might not make it in time. I'd love to hear back from you on here if you make it to the meeting.

I'd go, but unfortunately I have a work commitment that virtually ensures I won't be able to make it for any part of the meeting. I hope someone will be able to shed some light though.

[the mule]

Part of the reason I'm interested in this is because someone mentioned the Artists Village as getting tax breaks for offering the low rent housing. I'm just curious how that works because now they're selling off 4 lots for, what I'm assuming, will be huge profits. In addition, as you mention, there will be curb cuts and loss of green space. Yet somehow their taxes are decreasing 54%.

These boards have been dead lately, I'm not seeing much of a response to this. I wonder if this is/will be discussed anywhere else? Fitzer, be sure to go to the zoning committee meeting tomorrow to get more information. I am hoping to be there, but might not make it in time. I'd love to hear back from you on here if you make it to the meeting.

They probably financed the development with low income housing tax credits (LIHTC) which are much different than tax credits a person gets on their personal return. They're a financing instrument, not a tax break, and the operator still has to pay property taxes. I've noticed a few developments like this getting major decreases under AVI, so this is not unique. Fair? I wouldn't say so either.

[londoner]

No updates on how this went, wasn't this last night?

Does anyone who's active in the 'hood post on this forum anymore?

[phillyfanatic]

No updates on how this went, wasn't this last night?

Does anyone who's active in the 'hood post on this forum anymore?

It was tabled by the Zoning Committee until next month to force the developers to clean up the property. Good work, SOSNA Zoning Committee!

[InYourVacancies]

They probably financed the development with low income housing tax credits (LIHTC) which are much different than tax credits a person gets on their personal return. They're a financing instrument, not a tax break, and the operator still has to pay property taxes. I've noticed a few developments like this getting major decreases under AVI, so this is not unique. Fair? I wouldn't say so either.

This, in addition to the fact that the assessment only takes into account what is currently standing on the property (and in some peoples cases, even out-dated property info). Since nothing is even dug out let alone built, it's still assessed for only the low-income units that are currently there.

[NorthPhilly]

It was tabled by the Zoning Committee until next month to force the developers to clean up the property. Good work, SOSNA Zoning Committee!

Can you explain this? So they didn't even present? They were asked at the meeting to clean up the property; meaning the grass or the rest of the buildings on the property?

[VWPHILLY]

what does cleaning up the property have to presenting their plans???????

[londoner]

what does cleaning up the property have to presenting their plans???????

Who cares--I'm happy they did it. The developer clearly is out of touch with this place and our neighborhood--the buildings, sidewalk, fence, landscaping, lawn are all in deplorable condition and he apparently does not care at all--as long as the money keeps flowing in. This is a polite reminder that it's a real neighborhood, people actually live here, we actually care about our surroundings and coming to us only when its financially beneficial to you, just ain't gonna fly.

Kudos to SOSNA for the wake up call to this out-of-touch squatter.

[NorthPhilly]

But what are they being asked to cleanup? Just the grass they plan to develop into 4 homes or the entire property and existing buildings?