Plyfeak has correctly noted that while the question of what stores should be in Roosevelt Mall is not a governmental function, the question of improvements to the streets is a governmental function.

There is also the question of whether or not the Roosevelt Mall area should have a Business Improvement District, something the merchants would have to agree upon because they would have to pay for it.

What do you think about the future of Roosevelt Mall? How should the streets be reconfigured? Is the lighting strong enough? Should there be trees planted? If so where and how many? Should there be more police patrols.

Next year, the area gets a new mayor, a new 7th District Councilman, and at least one new councilman-at-large. This is a good time to start developing some new ideas about the direction of one of the most frequently used shopping centers in the state.

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Improving government for the average citizen


Thanks for electing me Delegate to the Democratic National Convention From the First Congressional District Supporting Barack Obama. Serving as an Obama delegate was a truly inspiring experience.

Mark, what is the status of meeting with Barnes & Noble? Do you have any feelings regarding the likelihood that they will open up in the RM area?

On the 10th are you meeting with the merchants of the RM area, or just the mall itself? If it is with all the merchants of the Cottman Avenue business corridor (Castor to Route 1) perhaps you could mention to them the vigor of Northeast Philadelphians in wanting the RM area cleaned up--referencing the now three separate threads on phillyblog. It might be helpful in convincing some to pursue a business district.

Feel free to private message me.

Banners would be a good idea, along Cottman from Loretto to the Boulevard, to unify the shopping area into one district and give it a positive identity. More trees and benches are always a good idea as well.
I think street sweepers should be used daily, given the amount of shoppers and general traffic in the area.
The bottom line is that street improvements will make the RM area appeal to shoppers from all over the area and also to companies and entrepreneurs. What desirable company will open in the area as it is now? Its not a surprise to me that the old JCPenney remains empty after years. I do not think the area is trash, but walking along Cottman Avenue (especially if you are not from Philly) you have no reason to invest in the area; renovations are needed to change that perception. Finally, extra security is necessary. That's a given. No shopper will put up with a stolen car. No desirable store (like Barnes and Noble) will put up with constant shoplifting, not to mention vandalism.
I don't mean to be negative. I think if our elected officials (Mike Cohen seems to be the exception so far) cared about the biggest shopping center in the lower NE, the RM and the surrounding area could be a great place.

Excellent points!

I understand where you are coming from when you mention crime. I think the area is relatively safe, but with the city's high-crime reputation it is a given that safety will have to be a major issue with an area revitalization.

Mark, with all due respect, will you be stepping to spearhead this project?

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"Things are starting to get interesting right about now"

Scoats - publician, writer, artist.

All comments made by me on his board are given freely and probably worth what you paid for them.

Mark, how about greenlighting some seed money from DCED for a BID?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xCiKCxfYqE

"If we can't learn from our mistakes, what's the point of making them!" ...my friend Richard.

"You are protected by the enormity of your stupidity." Mother to son Victor, in "Notorious"

By the way, that is a badly worded poll.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xCiKCxfYqE

"If we can't learn from our mistakes, what's the point of making them!" ...my friend Richard.

"You are protected by the enormity of your stupidity." Mother to son Victor, in "Notorious"

A business improvement district must first exist before it gets money.

The operational question remains as to whether or not the merchants want to form a business improvement district.

__________________
Improving government for the average citizen


Thanks for electing me Delegate to the Democratic National Convention From the First Congressional District Supporting Barack Obama. Serving as an Obama delegate was a truly inspiring experience.

Don't they already have this? Or at least some company contracted that supposedly provides this service to the mall. One property in the area of the KayBee Toys seems to have some sort of mall staff/maintenance, exactly what they do is another question. And if they do "clean" I think they limit their efforts to mostly the walkway surrounding the stores and not out to the street. Mayfair and Tacony shopping areas both have this and they were gained with the help of the local politicians and the respective CDC's.

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"I'll vote for him if he's the nominee, but I'll continue to think he's a complete phoney." BrooklynCat 3/23
http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/pol...r-race-11.html

That is so lame, right out of the "obnoxious Obama supporter" playbook 3/17
http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/pol...r-race-37.html
RE-ELECT DAVID OH COUNCIL AT LARGE 2011

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't want to appear critical.