Bridesburg, Next Fishtown? Waterfront Homes In BRIDESBURG?? - PhillyBlog

Cappa · #1 (**permalink**) 03-28-2005, 12:37 AM

Hello Fellow Philadelphians,

I am new here. I hope I put this in the right place on the forums. By the way, This is a great forum and I am glad to be here.

I was wondering as I have been hearing much talk about river front homes in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia. So is it true? I also heard that some of them are already sold as they sold the blue prints like they were doing with some of the Wildwood NJ future condo's. I also heard about river front homes in tacony via these forums so which is it, Bridesburg - Tacony or both? I grew up in Port Richmond (Mercer Street, which I am not to fond of) & Fishtown (Hewson Street, I love F-Town) until I was 17 then moved to West Mayfair (Unruh Avenue Off Frankford Ave, Blah). I watched West Mayfair change a lot. It is nothing like it use to be when I first arrived 7 years ago. Sadly & beings I reside here I can say this "In My Opinion" West Mayfair, It took a turn for the worst. One of Phillys most wanted supposedly hung down the street at my local 7/11. I am now 25 and on my way back down closer to the city to the neighborhood I always was fond of, Bridesburg (Riverside of 95 Near Lefevre St on livingston), Not to far from Daddy O's BAR). I just always loved Bridesburg, It feels like a safe place to live and is a very tight community. I get the same feeling there as I do down F-Town & Wildwood Nj, 2 of the best places on earth as crazy as it sounds, HaHa. Even if the river front homes were not coming to Bridesburg I would still be on my way down there but the riverfront homes & riverside stores would be a plus, right? I actually was looking for 8 months before I found a place I could afford in bridesburg. The few houses that were for sale were sky high prices and still are. I was looking on www.Hallwatch.org where you can look at how much a particular property was bought for and the few that were for sale were sold for just a dollar meaning they kept it in the family which keeps a neighborhood secure or still lived there and just refinanced. The other few that were being sold to outsiders was because investors got there hands on them a few years back. For instance one guy bought a house for 25 thousand dollars just 17 months before on thompson and buckius & unloaded it for over 110 thousand dollars. I also seen a home sell for 250 thousand on that same block. This is why I ask, does anyone know what all the hype is in Bridesburg or is it just happening everywhere? IS BRIDESBURG THE NEXT FISHTOWN? I figure bridesburg is only a 10 minute ride into town as 95 is right smack there as well as a few bus routes like the 25 come thru and river front homes, Stores, how nice? Not to mention the northeast is a popular spot for bars and nightlife just as downtown is for many things, what is in between all of this? BRIDESBURG is. It is right in between both the great northeast and downtown, 10 minutes away in either direction via 95 or harbison/aramingo. A hop, skip and a jump to either the NE or DOWNTOWN. I looked at a porchfront home on Orthodox Street & Miller near the 95 around 1 month ago and they were asking 120. The house looked like ben franklin lived there meaning no carpets holes in every wall with the old plaster falling down off the ceilings, everything needed to be not just updated but "fixed" (replaced) including the electrical, yard steps & basically every single room in the house from top to bottom. This house sold 2 days after being up (Probably the couple whom looked at it before me) for I am guessing close to if not the full 120. Unbelievable. As much as I think the prices have went up in bridesburg & Ftown I do not mind paying it. I would pay it for F-town just the same. I always thought you can not outrun the "rift raft" but you can outprice them. The way I look at it is the money I am spending to live there which some would call outrageous is not only a investment but a secure place to raise my child with a potential for high cash in values as time passes by (Not hat I would want to move). We all know there is Rift Raft out there but if they can not afford the homes in your area (Northern Libertys, Ftown & Bridesburg) you can keep them out. So like I always QUOTED Location, Location, Location.

Best Regards,
Cappa

BTW: I seen a few post concerning cancer rates and pollution in the bridesburg section. There is pollution from factorys all over the city, is there not? Like I once heard if Ben Franklin was alive today he would sufficate from the air we breath. "So I guess Living in the city is do or die" Ha. Everything is a gamble from real estate to breathing air in a certain neighborhoods all over the globe, smoking, being a soldier in Iraq - etc. Choices, Choices, Choices. My modo is I would rather take my chances with the cancer then grow up in a run down part of the city.

I look forward to all of your responses.

Malloy · #2 (**permalink**) 03-28-2005, 12:52 AM

Sayer: I told ya man....hahaha

Is that KHov/Westrum development going to happen at the former Coke plan in Bridesburg?

btw, isnt Bridesburg 99% white? Every Dec 25, I spend a few hours at my friend's parents home in Bridesburg. Good times.

Malloy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-28-2005, 12:58 AM

http://www.cml.upenn.edu/nbase/nbPro...tail.asp?NHD=4

In '00 -97% white.

gap27 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-28-2005, 01:11 AM

97%???

Thats one of the craziest things I've ever heard. Is Bridesburg in a time machine or something? Pardon my shock...I just find it bizarre that such homogenous neighborhoods actually exist in Philadelphia.

Cappa · #5 (**permalink**) 03-28-2005, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gap27

97%???

Thats one of the craziest things I've ever heard. Is Bridesburg in a time machine or something? Pardon my shock...I just find it bizarre that such homogenous neighborhoods actually exist in Philadelphia.

Yes, I guess that part is true.

Riverside Bridesburg has so many different homes from singles to twins, masonary to sticks. Small to large & almost all have Gigantic yards. Every home is built by a different builder it seems. You can easily get stuck in there while driving if you do not know where you are going. It is like they just built houses whereever they felt like, sort of like F-Town with its streets going every which degree unlike port richmond with its straight forward approach. It is kind of unique. I dig it.

Geno · #6 (**permalink**) 03-28-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gap27

97%???

Thats one of the craziest things I've ever heard. Is Bridesburg in a time machine or something? Pardon my shock...I just find it bizarre that such homogenous neighborhoods actually exist in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has quite a few neighborhoods that are over 90% one race. Most of them are black neighborhoods.

Geno · #7 (**permalink**) 03-28-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cappa

Hello Fellow Philadelphians,

I am new here. I hope I put this in the right place on the forums. By the way, This is a great forum and I am glad to be here.

Welcome to the blog cappa. Feel free to post Bridesburg stuff in the NE forum.

Geno · #8 (**permalink**) 03-30-2005, 11:12 PM

This article about Tacony mentions the riverfront development.

Quote:

Avenue back on track

By Elizabeth Stieber
Times Staff Writer

With the trolley tracks gone, a group of Tacony citizens wants to pave the way for more improvements along Torresdale Avenue.
"We want to create an environment that is inviting to potential businesses. (The tracks) had a less than desirable image, but now that they’re gone we can start to see the beginnings of a business strip," said Anthony Naccarato, president of the Tacony Civic Association.
His organization is one of four Tacony groups — the Community Development Corporation, the business association and the historical society as well — that have joined together to form the Tacony Revitalization Committee, which is aimed at bolstering Torresdale Avenue’s image as a business district and a potential central artery for potential Delaware riverfront homeowners.
Tacony CDC is spearheading this new group. The Philadelphia Department of Streets, the City Planning Commission and the office of City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski (D-6th dist.) will also be involved in the planning.
Additionally, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-13th dist.) has committed $1.25 million to the Major Artery Revitalization Committee for street improvements to Torresdale Avenue between Harbison and Cottman avenues. The funding is part of the $52 million her district received from the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users bill.
Schwartz will talk to community leaders and local elected officials to decide where the money can be spent, said Rachel Leed, an aide to the congresswoman.
The new committee will also explore other federal, state and local funding options.
While Torresdale Avenue has seen better days, the housing and commercial development along the Delaware River in the neighborhood is still in its beginning stages.
But the Tacony Revitalization Committee hopes that the improvements will make Torresdale Avenue "inviting for businesses and shoppers," Naccarato said.
"Hopefully, if we build it, they will come," he said, quoting the infamous line from the film Field of Dreams.
Cope Linder Architects, a Center City firm that specializes in streetscape design, will begin studying the avenue in the next few weeks, and it is expected to take six to 12 weeks to complete.
According to Bob Keppel, a Cope Linder partner, the firm will look at four specific areas along Torresdale Avenue: lighting, paving, landscaping and signage.
The firm was also asked to share its input on facade improvements for storefronts "that would provide encouragement and give guidance to what might be appropriate," Keppel said.
Keppel has driven along Torresdale Avenue. He said the thoroughfare needs touch-ups that would make drivers slow down and take in the community.
"Over time, it has become more of a highway than a street that represents the center of the community," Keppel said. "The appearance represents too much of that of a highway function."
The goal is to "restore the comforts and convenience to pedestrians and make it a more pleasant place to shop," he said.
Although the firm has no specific suggestions for Torresdale Avenue yet, the architects will look into improving the lighting and the curb alignment, which would be more conducive to pedestrians.
Also, they will pay particular attention to the intersection at Longshore Avenue, which Keppel described as the "focus of the community."
Longshore Avenue feeds directly down to the Delaware River, where the redevelopment will be taking place.
In the past, Cope Linder has helped revamp other central community spots, including the Italian Market in South Philadelphia and Market Street East in Center City.
Most recently, the firm was responsible for the highly touted lighting along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The Tacony Revitalization Committee will hold a public meeting about the future of Torresdale Avenue once Cope Linder completes its study. ••
Reporter Elizabeth Stieber can be reached at 215-354-3036 or estieber@phillynews.com

Malloy · #9 (**permalink**) 03-30-2005, 11:14 PM

This is great news, thanks for the link.

ACE · #10 (**permalink**) 04-01-2005, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gap27

97%???

Thats one of the craziest things I've ever heard. Is Bridesburg in a time machine or something? Pardon my shock...I just find it bizarre that such homogenous neighborhoods actually exist in Philadelphia.

Unfortunately it is crazy. I wish it wasn't so though. A number of the people there are fifth generation. I'd love it if my neighborhood had such crazy stats.

Capa, Livingston Street is a wonderful little street. My girlfriend lives on Livingston. You can sit out on the porch, and read the paper. The best part is you don't have to put up one of those iron cages, and lock yourself in.

Prsently we are neighbors. If you see how much our neighborhood has changed in seven years imagine growing up here, and looking at it after thirty. Best wishes on your move. I believe you will love it there in Bridesburg.

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