For all those that did attend, I am extremely grateful. The members of the Coalition can sit around and speak to each other whenever we want. Having all of your time to listen to what we have worked at as well as your input and support is what we need
to handle the final push. As many people on here and at the forum said: we do need even more people to show up to these events. The way to get this done is through weight of numbers. That is what will ultimately get it accomplished. As they say in the neighborhood, "we have to keep on keepin' on."

Also, thanks for the positive comments on my suit and my speaking. I try to look dapper when I can.

At the end of the night with all being said and done, I do not feel pessimistic at all. I feel optimistic.

Why is that?

Because we had a variety of candidates that came out before our community and pretty much said "the money is there".

Larry Farnese (D for 1st Senatorial) pointed out two bills are on the table to increase funding for such projects (even though I am not exactly thrilled about one of the bills that requires the debt ceiling to be increased for it).

Michael Livingston (R for 2nd Congressional) mentioned a variety of federal funds and grants dealing with food in low income neighborhoods as well as the overall tax policy issues.

Robert Nix (R for 3rd Senatorial) spoke about state programs and funding available as well as other such groceries getting help in other parts of the City.

Jim Kernaghan (R for 195th Representative) confirmed about the funding bills and programs that Larry and Robert mentioned as well as Opportunity Zones that could be placed to lower the tax obligations of a business placed there.

Senator Kitchen (D for 3rd Senatorial) said the money WAS there and if there are any holdups, it is due to politics.

All these candidates told us the money should be there and said or implied the issue is local.

We have been told we have allies in Harrisburg. It gives us greater focus on where we need to concentrate: City Hall, Developers and Operators.

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Now, I do want to make some comments, personally, and not on behalf of the group.

Outside of some inappropriate distractions, the main point of contention was location. 27th or 31st with some people saying they will actually fight the 31st location.

I understand their issues. I can understand the thought that "the new residents get the market" by putting it at 31st. That the greater benefit goes to them.

Personally, from a location perspective, I favor the 27th site. It is more central and covers Fairmount more to get more participation.

On that note, I will say the 27th site is a 99% dead issue. I say this because the owner has repeatedly said he doesn't want to sell the land and he has zero intention of ever building a grocery store there. The only way a grocery is going to go there, outside of unusual circumstances, is if the City eminent domains the property.

From a private property rights perspective, I believe eminent domaining it is wrong.

From a legal perspective I believe it will also fail. It will be hard to justify in court the need for the land when a location 4 blocks down will host the same building.

So, unless the people that are "27th or bust" can convince Blezniak to change his mind, it is done. I have had a developer tell me himself Blezniak turned him down on an offer to build a store.

Personally, I think the community needs to come together on two issues regarding the 27th and 31st sites.

First, we need to realize the goal is the supermarket and put aside the personal gains. I live at 21st. It isn't like 31st is going to be a quick walk for me, but I will get by with it. We need to come together with one voice and say we are ok with whatever location gets the go ahead.

Second, we need to concentrate on good site design and zoning more than anything that is built at the 27th site. What I mean by this is we must refuse t let Darrel Clarke rezone the land for any type of building that does not appropriately fit with the Girard Ave Corridor. This means no suburban style RiteAid. No suburban style fast food joint. No suburban style restaurant.

We need to impose our will and require zoning for the type of building that fits with a commercial corridor that will eventually invite more and more foot traffic. We need 3-4 story building with commercial street level space with living quarters or additional commercial on top. Any building that gets put in needs to be relatively "business agnostic". The problems that we all know from "box stores" is that if they go out of business, no one else is really willing to reuse the space and it requires being torn down and we just end up with a vacant building.

We need the building to be interchangable. One that, if a business doesn't survive, just about any other type of business can be plugged in. That way, the location remains flexible with the changing of the times and markets.

Under those conditions, I would be ok with a Rite aid (I of course would like better, but I don't want to overly restrict the right to do business).

I feel these are the two issues that need to be addressed involving the two locations. Two issues that are well within our ability to handle and well within our rights without overstepping bounds of private property and business.

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And the two previous posts explain exactly why there will never be a grocery store in this neighborhood. All the CDCs , "coalitions", associations is the reason nothing will ever get done. Same reason unions have destroyed most if not all of American industry. People like Adam thinking they are a community "leader" when really they just want what they think is best. You know what is best for most of the residents (you know the ones that have far better things to do then have "community meetings") a known store (Rite-Aid, CVS, WAWA, etc.) somewhere close by where one can buy milk, OJ, bread, cough syrup, cotton balls, a hershey bar, and maybe pick-up a prescription. I believe most could care less what form it comes in (box versue 3-4 story building).

Here's a thought ... if the commnity would get the heck out of the way more corporations and businesses would open! I own several commercial properties ... the minute a community group rears its head I sell and find somewhere else to do business. Same reason I try not to do business with union shops. Not worth the hassel.

Look at the coffee shop at 30th & Girard ... Adam gave her crap for not showing up at one of his groups meetings. First why should anyone need the approval from a non-elected citizens group to open a business? Freedom to do business is paramount. All of these CDCs are the reason nothing gets developed. I am sure Adam you mean well but you are part of the problem not the solution.

What do unions have anything to do w/ this issue?

I think your handle says it all - no real concerns.
your concern is making a buck and then riding off into the sunset.
you don't care about the long term sustainability of your development.

freedom to do business, huh? freedom doesn't come without responsibility.

when a typical drug store sets out on an aggressive expansion campaign and fails, as many Eckerd's did earlier in the decade, you're left w/ a building that is suited only for the original use. and because of that it becomes a blight on the community.

while you may be no worse than some of our elected officials, people like Adam are concerned with the long-term ramifications of development.

and really, as a developer, how much extra effort does that take? the extra money is worth the enhanced rep.

no real concerns. that sums it up nicely.

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My restlessness is my nemesis.

Oddly enough, we have made more progress on getting a store in after community groups got involved as opposed to "staying out of the way" and letting City Hall handle it.

You are completely missing the point.

I am discussing zoning the whole area so that way there isn't this continual back and forth that has to go on between developer and legislator and community. The reason it goes on now is 1) political power and 2) bad zoning.

If we rezone the whole strip of girard correctly, then developers can look at the map, see what they can and can't do and make their decision without having to have 15 community meetings. On that note, I am recommending to push for a "main street type" of zoning for girard ave since it is predominantly a commercial corridor. Something where any business will be able to enter and buildings that aren't tied to a specific business.

It will actually be better for the community and developers in the long run.

Again, in case you overlooked what I wrote, I said even though I would prefer something other than a Rite Aid, as long as it is a building appropriate for that commercial corridor, I won't have an issue.

Also, as for your list of desirables, all that stuff except for prescriptions you can get at a corner bodega, so I am not sure what your point is.

You may need to find out more about what you are talking about. I can't actually recall one meeting where the BSCCA actually turned down a zoning request. About the most heavy handed I recall them being with a developer is requesting the developer who was doing some of the subsidized rentals to change how the porches looked.

And this solidifies that you have no idea what you are talking about. I completely agree a business shouldn't need community approval to open up in a location that is zoned for commercial.

The problem was, Darrell Clarke and L&I wouldn't approve her unless she had community support. When she mentioned that, I reached out to her saying if she shows up to the Civic Association meeting to ask for a letter, she would most likely get one... and without requiring a fee for it as other orgs seem to do. City Hall dictated the rules and I offered her a free pass. She chose to go a different route and the rest is history (and in the press). I gave her no hard time. I actually tried to help her. So, if she is still bitter over the situation she needs to get over it, I am sorry to say. Hell, she didn't even open the shop anyway so obviously community groups weren't the problem.

If the worst that can be said about me is that I gave someone a "hard time" for not getting a free letter of support to help get her business started, well damn I must be doing something right then.


Edit: And for the record, before you continue to blame the BSCCA for developer woes, I would like to point out Darell Clarke zoned that whole strip so it is currently illegal to have a drugstore or a grocery store or doctor offices in 2005. So, you may want to look more at who the problem is.

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i guess your slumlord ass wont be opening a neighborhood store in our neck of the woods

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www.rob-sutherland.com

Councilmen are forced to bow to these special interest groups which is exactly what the BSCAA, BCDC, AABRA, ABCD, 1234 are. Darrel Clarke would not of requested a letter had the organizations not existed in the first place. I am not saying BSCAA is the sole problem but it and organizations like it are PART OF the problem and NOT the solution.

Adam writes he can't actually recall one meeting where the BSCCA actually turned down a zoning request. Why should BSCCA even get requests for zoning? Since when is it a good idea to have zoning decisions made by a small group of unappointed people. Yes the zoning issues go all the way to city hall where it is screwed up but there is no reason any other organization should be involved PERIOD.

Stick to cleaning your block, picking up your dog poop, doing town watches, and holding bake sales. Leave business, zoning, tax law etc to your elected officials or better yet the business people. If you don't like them don't elect them! (I for one did not vote for Clarke) If you don't like the business don't spend your money there. It's all about the dime, if you don't have it get it! And don't boo hoo about freedom comes with responsibility ... bull, if you don't like it then don't vote for your elected officials.

As for your "main street" concept ... get over it, it is not the 1950s anymore. Build what makes money ... is that not the point of capitalism? And unless someone on here is actually going to open a business you can not tell me you know what makes money and what doesn't. And to bring it back to the griocery store ... put your money where your mouth is shut up and get out of the way. I am tired of all these "community groups" making decisions ... you are NOT my elected offical.

Funny how you see "slumlord" as a negative term. If the eskimo buys ice does that make seller the dumb one?

.

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As a new resident to the neighbor and an even newer member of this site - it seems like there are plenty of community organizations out there: some doing the community good and some not so much.

Some local organizations purport to exist to help the neighborhood but clearly have divided it (FESPP), while other organizations don't seem to be helping anything but exist only to protest everything (AABRA). Even an organization like the Brewerytown CDC ended up looking corrupt when they demanded essentially a "bribe" from the coffee shop lady.

It makes sense why some folks are skeptical of community organizations and their acronyms. I certainly am!

How do you really tell the difference between a good solid group that cares about the community and one that has questionable motives?