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Issue

Royal Theater Reconstruction Begins

Royal Theater Reconstruction Begins

Universal Companies has begun the long-awaited renovations to the Royal Theater. In November of 2002, contractors began cleaning the building's facade and are repointing the brickwork. Plans for additional work have not been released, although Universal Companies has promised to keep the association apprised of developments.

For more information on this ongoing development project, click here.

BUSINESSES ARRIVE ON SOUTH STREET

As development continues, new businessess are opening their doors along our corridor, and more taking an interest in the area.

Over the last year, the following new establishments have joined our neighborhood:

Gourmet Vegetarian to Go, 1505 South

Mind of the Past, 1535 South

Pieces, 1735 South

Parisien Bakery, 1737 South

Spatial Anomoly Gallery, 1944 South

Words and Whimsy, 1904 South

Others business openings are planned in 2003, including a new bank branch, a coffeshop on the 1500 block of South, and El Rey del Sol, a Mexican restaurant on the corner of 15th and South.

Holiday Treelighting Celebration

SSWBA and the Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation (PCDC) celebrated the kickoff of the holiday season with a treelighting ceremony on November 22, 2002, at the corner of 16th and South. A number of Streetscape improvements and neighborhood revitalization along the South Street West corridor were spotlighted. The lot, which currently serves as a community garden, was decorated by SSWBA members.

Featured speakers at the event include City Council President Anna Verna, the representative for the South Street West district, Councilwoman at Large Blondell Reynolds Brown, Councilman Darrly Clark, State Representative Jewel Williams, and State Representative Ron Waters.

Awards and official thanks were given to those city agencies, council representatives, and organizations who have supported development on South Street West, including City Council President Anna Verna, the Mayor's Office, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, and the Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation, as well as comments by local business owners, residents, and representatives from community organizations.

Contact Miss Jessie Frisby, SSWBA President, for more information at: 215-735-0458.

PCDC Implements Uniform Façade Treatment Grant Program

Funded by the City and administered by PCDC, this program provides funds to improve the façades of businesses or properties along targeted commercial corridors. Next year, up-front grants for improvements will be available for façade improvement along South Street West. A total of $200,000 will be available in FY 2002, with an anticipated $2,000 spent per 15 square feet of frontage.

The funding supports improvements such as new signs, awnings, pointing, windows, repainted brick, and other cosmetic features. PCDC will canvass the neighborhood in early 2002 to inspect buildings, determine with owners which improvements can be made, and provide applications. TOP

For more information, contact Gerald Marshall, Commercial Area Specialist, at 215-790-2376.
Be sure to meet with Gerry when he drops by!

Zoning Concerns in Our Corridor

Oppose Non-Commercial Zoning Changes!

SSWBA and SOSNA are opposed to any zoning requests that would change a C-2 Commercial/Residential property on South Street into a Residential property that does not include a commercial unit on the first floor.

SSWBA, SOSNA, and CCRA succesfully lobbied developers on the 1700 block of South to reverse plans to construct residential units on the first floor of their new buildings.

Another proposed development at 1739 South would shift the openings of four newly constructed buildings from South to 17th, creating a blank wall facade on South Street. The new construction would have residential units only. SOSNA and SSWBA oppose this development as it is currently proposed. Alan Mandel of SOSNA attended a Zoning Hearing on this lot, and will report about the outcome in future editions.

As with other organizations in our area, we have been working diligently to transform this corridor into a viable commercial district that provides goods and services to residents and attracts patrons from all areas of the City.

We believe that, if the remaining storefronts on South Street West (whether or not they are currently occupied by operating businesses) are converted into residential units, the continuity of the corridor will be further eroded, making it less attractive for merchants of all kinds to establish their businesses here, or for existing businesses to grow. TOP

Join us in fighting non-commercial rezoning requests by contacting the Philadelphia Zoning Board:

Philadelphia Zoning Board
Municipal Building
1401 J.F.K. Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102

You can also write to our City Council Representative, Anna Verna, to voice your objections to zoning requests:

The Honorable Anna C. Verna
City Council President
Room 494 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107

South Street Bridge Reconstruction Project

The City of Philadelphia Department of Streets is preparing to reconstruct the South Street Bridge. The project is awaiting preliminary design approval from PennDoT, including numerous environmental investigations and preparation of type, size, and location plans for the bridge.

The City has initiated the contract for the final design of the project and hoped to begin work on that phase by the end of 2001. The City promises that the project will address most of the concerns of the adjoining neighborhood and become an architectural landmark for the City. The construction of the new bridge is set for late 2004. SSWBA will work to keep business owners and residents apprised of the schedule as it develops. TOP