Artists Villa Getting a Little Out of Control

**londoner** · 07-03-2012, 01:18 PM

So...what can be done about this place? it's an absolute eye-sore that only gets worse with age. The graffiti is accumulating at a breakneck pace--and then never removed, the property is wholly neglected, it's completely un-maintained, the sidewalks are crumbling, every tree hole is used as a garbage can.

I know fighting new business owners with their hideous awnings is cool and all, but why no uproar over this place?

**OffenseTaken** · 07-03-2012, 01:45 PM

Do you remember when the NY Times reported that the building had collapsed during Hurricane Irene? We went down there to take a look, and while it had indeed not collapsed, it was easy to see where the Times got that impression. What a ****snack that place is.

Also, is anyone old enough to remember when it wasn't out of control?

**londoner** · 07-03-2012, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by OffenseTaken

Do you remember when the NY Times reported that the building had collapsed during Hurricane Irene? We went down there to take a look, and while it had indeed not collapsed, it was easy to see where the Times got that impression. What a ****snack that place is.

Also, is anyone old enough to remember when it wasn't out of control?

Some of the old birds on the thread can say better, but i'm fairly certain them telling me that this place historically was much worse than what it looks like today. In other words, its current state is a dramatic improvement over what is used to be 10 years ago.

None of that, however, does anything to address the current problem--which grows worse.

**seand** · 07-03-2012, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by londoner

You know I've tried often and it seems gosh durn near impossible to grow a potato chip and Colt 45 tree from seed. Perhaps you need to take a live cutting to propagate this species.

**Lolly** · 07-03-2012, 03:30 PM

I have no idea what or where this is, but if it were on my corner or otherwise in my face on a daily basis, know what I'd do?...

Well, I'm not 100% sure, but I know it would be something more than just complaining here about it.

**Jeez mon** · 07-03-2012, 07:17 PM

There is a small but active group of residents in Artist Village who are trying to make improvements. There are a number of obstacles, however. They have zero resources -- no tools, no supplies, and apparently no support from the apartment management. It felt like a major boost when a neighbor gave them a small supply of paper refuse bags. On one occasion, there was a group of people with ladders and saws, ready to make major progress on the always-overgrown tree near 17th & Fitzwater. But they had no place to put the branches, and they had to stop, for fear of overloading the commercial trash collection space facing Colorado Street. I presume the apartment management is more concerned about keeping its trash collection bills down. Observing from not far away, I have never seen the apartment management do anything to encourage the residents who wanted to make the place more respectable. Considering the small group of people trying to make some improvements, I wouldn't trash the people living there -- I would trash the management corporation.

Here is a link to some info about Artists Village:
Artist Village Apartments Low Income Housing 700 S 17th St Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

**Jayfar** · 07-03-2012, 09:04 PM

Does SOSNA still have any involvement with Artists Village?

http://www.southphillyblocks.org/sos.../projects.html

South by Southwest: how Center City's relentless expansion remade a historic neighborhood | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

This other link, pointed out in Jeez mon's post, gives Regis Development Corp in Gladwyne as the owner, but under financial characteristics specifies "non-profit sponsor."

Artist Village Apartments Low Income Housing 700 S 17th St Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

**Gladys** · 07-03-2012, 09:31 PM

Apparently it is managed by Regis still. Why not give them a call, it's easier to accomplish something by asking them directly. Here's a link. Artist Village Apartments Unit 503 | The Regis Group

**the mule** · 07-04-2012, 12:27 AM

Their tax credit compliance period should have expired by now. It was placed in service in 1996 and it's now over 15 years later. The owners could pay off the soft debt and charge market rate rents if they desired and easily bump up their maintenance budget...

Anyway, you can try complaining to the owner and management company and see if that gets any results, but I wouldn't expect much.

**Jayfar** · 07-04-2012, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by the mule

Their tax credit compliance period should have expired by now. It was placed in service in 1996 and it's now over 15 years later. The owners could pay off the soft debt and charge market rate rents if they desired and easily bump up their maintenance budget...

From the info on their about page, it looks like that is the eventual plan:

About | The Regis Group

--quote--

In the late 1990′s, The Regis Group began changing its focus to the development of market rate rentals and “for sale” housing as well as commercial development.

[snip]

Much of their current work consists of the redevelopment of its existing low income portfolio as the low income restrictions cease and the redevelopment of other properties they own as neighborhoods continue to evolve.

--end quote--

**loveisnoise** · 07-04-2012, 05:33 AM

Are there even any artists left in Artist's Village? There's your first problem. You kick out the people who care and now you're left with despair. Aritst's become graffiti craftspeople, your daughters become whores, and your sons become junkies waiting for you to become old enough to be poisoned for the estate. Humorous fodder that suits geriatrics and menopausals that brought this syhphilis into our beings.

The hooker laughs at the junkie
The junkie laughs at the john
the john laughs at the preacher
The preacher helps the junkie get clean needles at their thoughtful clinic, and the beat goes on.

**loveisnoise** · 07-04-2012, 05:35 AM

I've got an itch that can't be scratched from artist's village. Do you think a trip to fogo de chowdown will cake my hole tight without repercussions from STDs? I just don't understand. I've always said, why should i where condoms when I go to Haiti for vacation- I mean, what's the chance of me being there again?!?!

**londoner** · 07-04-2012, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jeez mon

There is a small but active group of residents in Artist Village who are trying to make improvements. There are a number of obstacles, however. They have zero resources -- no tools, no supplies, and apparently no support from the apartment management. It felt like a major boost when a neighbor gave them a small supply of paper refuse bags. On one occasion, there was a group of people with ladders and saws, ready to make major progress on the always-overgrown tree near 17th & Fitzwater. But they had no place to put the branches, and they had to stop, for fear of overloading the commercial trash collection space facing Colorado Street. I presume the apartment management is more concerned about keeping its trash collection bills down. Observing from not far away, I have never seen the apartment management do anything to encourage the residents who wanted to make the place more respectable. Considering the small group of people trying to make some improvements, I wouldn't trash the people living there -- I would trash the management corporation.

Here is a link to some info about Artists Village:
Artist Village Apartments Low Income Housing 700 S 17th St Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pulling weeds and picking up trash is really cheap. No excuses...there has to be at least 50 residents of this property...and it appears that about 50 of them don't give a **** about it.

**bobl** · 07-05-2012, 11:48 AM

The Artist's Village used to be empty shells inhabited by homeless and druggies, but the Village has served it's purpose and should be sold or turned commercial at this point. One would think that "artists" in subsidized housing would be more concerned about the areas appearance.

**Jayfar** · 07-05-2012, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by bobl

The Artist's Village used to be empty shells inhabited by homeless and druggies, but the Village has served it's purpose and should be sold or turned commercial at this point. One would think that "artists" in subsidized housing would be more concerned about the areas appearance.

I don't think there were ever any actual artists in Artists Village. As best I can figure it was just a standard idiotic marketing name someone pulled out of their arse. And by other accounts (see Jeez mon's post upthread), including on one of the apartment rental review sites, the management actively discouraged residents' attempts to do cleanups.

**londoner** · 07-05-2012, 12:46 PM

This dude Gary Reisner does not seem excellent Beware Gary Reisner – The Regis Group – Courtyard Associates!

It's tough to find any info on him or his company (Regis Development) which makes the whole thing seem even shadier.

Is this not something SOSNA can do, make a call to Regis and ask him to get his **** together? I can't imagine there not being hundreds of code violations in that building. What's with the huge, thick, bundle of wires protruding out the southern side of the building--that doesn't look safe.

Edit: Sorry Jayfar, i didn't see that you found the company's web-site upthread.

**Jeez mon** · 07-05-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by londoner

Is this not something SOSNA can do, make a call to Regis and ask him to get his **** together?

I believe that SOSNA may be in the process of contacting a number of neighborhood landlord entities regarding property maintenance issues. I wouldn't be surprised to see Artists Village and the Regis Group on a list of neighborhood properties needing attention.

By the way, the huge bundles of wires at the SE corner of the building are for the cell phone relay station on the roof of the property. It is my understanding that about 7 years ago, the managment company took over a first-floor room that was intended for common use by residents, and converted it into a revenue-generating cell tower.

**BarryG** · 07-05-2012, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Jeez mon

I believe that SOSNA may be in the process of contacting a number of neighborhood landlord entities regarding property maintenance issues. I wouldn't be surprised to see Artists Village and the Regis Group on a list of neighborhood properties needing attention.

By the way, the huge bundles of wires at the SE corner of the building are for the cell phone relay station on the roof of the property. It is my understanding that about 7 years ago, the managment company took over a first-floor room that was intended for common use by residents, and converted it into a revenue-generating cell tower.

A revenue generating cell phone tower in low-income housing that is exempt from property taxes... hmm....

**bobl** · 07-05-2012, 03:15 PM

The conversion of the buildings were originally funded on the predicate that they would be low cost housing for artists. I believe there was some private foundation money involved. There are several buildings like this for artists around the city. The original conversion was needed and welcomed, but it is now time for conversion to a market based complex.

**the mule** · 07-05-2012, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by BarryG

A revenue generating cell phone tower in low-income housing that is exempt from property taxes... hmm....

This is fairly common on subsidized housing buildings with any kind of height, it's easy revenue enhancement. There is no prohibition against this and I would wager that the large majority of subsidized housing is owned by for-profit companies who of course expect some return on their investment. They also do in fact pay property taxes - $22,938.62 a year.

As for the condition of the complex, they're still responsible for the upkeep of the place and are supposed to have inspectors ensuring that it's in compliance.