Friends of 40th Street Meeting

Meeting Memo No. 36

Friends of 40th Street

30 May 2008

Friends of 40th Street
Meeting Memo No. 36

Date/Place/Time: 30 May 2008/ Community Room – 3901 Market Street /8:00 a.m.

Attendance: Brenda Alexander 3901 Market Street

Marge Arndt American Law Institute (ALI)

Jessi Averill The Partnership CDC (TPCDC)

Ethel Briscoe 3901 Market Street

Steve Bronstein Metropolis Group

Shirley Carter 3901 Market Street

Joyce L. Caulley 3901 Market Street

Nicole Contosta UC Review

Catherine Dekle 3901 Market Street

Yasmin Farrell Elwyn

Andrew Goodman PennPraxis

Lee V. Goode 3901 Market Street

Amos Green Amos Green Optics, The Market

Wendy Green SEPTA

Yvonne Griffin 3901 Market Street

William Hamlin III BH3 Design

Curt Hess University City Science Center

Eleanor Johnson 3901 Market Street

Stafford Knuckle 3901 Market Street

Elizabeth Lambert 3901 Market Street

Kathryn Laws 3901 Market Street

John Leatherberry 333 N. Wiota Street

Scott Maits Community Education Center

Anna Mancusi The Partnership CDC

Jack McElwee SEPTA

Pat Miller SEPTA

Mark Mills Metropolis Group

Ida Morris 3901 Market Street

Nancy Mosley 3901 Market Street

Mike Nagao DP Dough

Pat Nowak 3901 Market Street

Megan Powers The Metropolis Group

Sue Pringle UC Green

Paul Robinson 3901 Market Street

Richard E. Rogers 3901 Market Street

James Seward Powelton Avenue

George Stevens 3856 Lancaster Avenue

Arthur Summers 3901 Market Street

Frances Talley 3901 Market Street

Jean K. Wolf The Woodlands

Matthew Wolfe University City Republican Committee

Geraldine Williams 3901 Market Street

Louis Williams Solution Concepts

Items Discussed:

  1. Harris Steinberg (HStein) welcomed everyone to this month’s meeting. He acknowledged the Friends of 40th Street group fourth anniversary.
  1. Harris Sokoloff (HSok) gave an update on the Friends of 40th Street Steering Committee’s progress since it started meeting again this year. At last meeting in May, the Committee separated into small working groups to discuss topics relating to advocacy, communication and participation and what capacity the Friends group can build on regarding these topics. HSok also announced that there is an open invitation to Friends group attendees to join if interested.
  2. Richard Rogers (RR) mentioned that at the Committee meetings it is agreed that the Friends do not advocate for a specific cause beyond the 40th Street Planning Principles, but the meetings are a forum for speakers to come and speak as the group represents a neutral, “safe space” for those to make presentations. Anyone is invited to join this discussion.
  1. Next, SEPTA’s two representatives were introduced: Wendy Green (WG) and Jack McElwee (JM). A handout was passed around providing facts on roof replacement projects for two local trolley stations: 36th and Ludlow Streets and the 40th and Woodland Avenue portal. JM explained that SEPTA will be removing the existing roof portals at these two locations and replacing them. Also, there will be façade repair of the brick structure and replacement of the older Yew trees with Dogwood trees at both locations. Dumpsters will be placed on location and loading areas will be designated. The dumpsters may interfere with the flower beds that are situated at the 40th and Woodland Avenue portal, which have been maintained by the community groups in the area. For the in-depth repairs needed for the structure, trolley service will be closed from 10pm-5am through those stations.
  1. George Stevens (GS) asked about track maintenance, particularly along Lancaster Avenue and 40th Street. It was answered that SEPTA maintains 18 feet away from track, and that SEPTA’s next big priority is Woodland Avenue. If there is an issue with maintenance with a pot hole, for example, a service call should be made to SEPTA in order to address the complaint. HSok asked how someone would track a service call/complaint they made. Perhaps a customer service number should be given to the customer making a complaint. JM stated that when he receives those calls, he personally responses to customer complaints. WG also noted that SEPTA is in the process of re-vamping its customer service system to improve responsiveness.
  2. Ida Morris (IM) asked that SEPTA not forget about Filbert Street and its tracks needing maintenance.
  1. GS also asked about the status of the 40th Street El stop and its accessibility needs. JM replied that it is in SEPTA’s five-year capital plan to design how to install elevators as long as SEPTA receives the necessary funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the state.
  2. Those funds will only be for design and planning, while additional funds will be needed for construction and operation.
  1. John Leatherberry (JL) brought up his concern that some bus drivers do not pull to curb when stop at their stops. JL wanted the SEPTA representatives present at today’s meeting to take this back as a concern to address. JM suggested that when this happens, the number on the front of the bus should be reported to SEPTA in order for them to take action. WG noted that such problems will be examined under the new customer service system, and will be reported to the Assistant General Manager of Customer Service.
  1. Kathy Laws (KL) continued on JL’s concern by recounting an incident with a rude and profane bus driver. Though she noted that many drivers are courteous, she did take down the bus driver’s bus number in order to make a complaint. KL also told about a time she took the subway and had a difficult time getting onto the train because there was too much of a gap between the train and the platform for her motorized chair.
  2. JM stated that there are ramps available on each platform to assist those in wheelchairs and motorized chairs. However, it is unclear who is available to bring the ramp for someone’s assistance. JM said that the train conductor is usually the person to get the ramp.
  3. JM also mentioned that someone can call SEPTA to have a representative walk them through a route to take for their trip.
  1. Scott Maits (SM) requested that SEPTA perhaps provide clearly designated pedestrian walkways at the portal on 40th and Woodland Avenue to avoid loosing connectivity. He noted that there used to be a through-street to connect to Woodland Avenue, and that this should be brought back for pedestrian safety.
  1. Andrew Goodman (AG) asked what the timeline is for the portal project: JM replied by saying that the roof work would begin in July and run until the end of 2008. From September 2008 until the end of the year the green line trolley will be shut down Monday through Thursday from 10:00 p.m. until 5: 00 a.m. Editor’s Note: Since this meeting, Wendy Green informed us that the roof replacement work will not begin until September 2008.
  1. HStein noted that the Market Street Streetscape project is in its design phase, and encouraged Curt Hess (CH) of the Science Center to figure out how to make SEPTA a part of this process to look into ways to accelerate the installation of elevators and improve the overall general accessibility to the 40th Street El Stop station. HStein requested perhaps for SEPTA to offer these improvements in two years instead of five. CH noted that if successful, the streetscaping project will be complete by Fall 2009.
  2. WG said that SEPTA will keep in contact to hear on the Market Street Streetscape project timelines.
  1. Next, Mark Mills from the Metropolis Group introduced Mike Nagao (MN) business owner of DP Dough, a small business set to open on 40th Street near the Chestnut Street intersection at 33 South 40th Street. S&M Grocery is currently located there, however, they will be moving across the street. MN stated that DP Dough is a small franchise and that it is known as a “fast-paced” restaurant. Construction for the building will begin in June. The restaurant will be wheelchair accessible. The façade will have its paint stripped from the brick and new windows will be installed. The existing structure will be maintained. The restaurant will offer take-out, dine-in and delivery. It plans to open late summer.
  1. JL was asked to speak on any updates that the West Powelton Concerned Citizens may have to inform the group. JL informed the group that there are plans for a 5-story office building to be built at the lot on 41st and Powelton Avenue. The building will be no higher than 35 feet. It will be a “green” building with a green roof, solar panels and more. JL said he will try to bring the architect to the next Friends meeting.
  2. Also, JL said the apartment buildings at 300 North 40th Street and 500 North Bud Street are under rehab. JL stated that while it is good to see new development, his concern is that the neighborhood’s senior population may feel some negative affect with higher taxes to pay out of their limited/fixed income.
  3. JL explained that Saunders Park and Mantua are other neighborhoods also moving forward like West Powelton. JL is excited about Market Street Streetscape project improvements; however, he requested that the project should not forget about the north side of 40th Street.
  4. Lastly, JL updated the Friends group on the 16th Police District’s enrollment of new “beat” officers along Lancaster Avenue and Market Street. Also, there are plans to soon install cameras around the 40th and Market Street and the Lancaster Avenue area.
  5. West Powelton Concerned Citizens meetings are usually the last Monday of the month at the Greater Faith Baptist Church on Baring and Preston Streets from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
  1. Captain Joe Fischer (Capt) was the last speaker. He apologized for his absence in the last two months. The Capt reported that fortunately crime is at a low. His officers have been noticing more youth coming to hang out at 40th and Market Streets because of the area being considered safe. Saturday nights are the nights when Capt loads up the area with officers just to keep the area safe. They are strongly enforcing the curfew time.
  2. Someone commented that people do not congregate at 40th and Market Streets like they do at 40th and Chestnut or Walnut Streets.
  3. Capt Fischer closed by saying that the South Street Bridge is anticipated to close for the fall as many engineers state that the bridge would not last another winter without collapsing. Detours will be announced soon, though traffic will likely increase over the course of this 20-month project.
  1. Scott Maits noted that he is working on the East Coast Greenway project, since there is an opportunity for it to come through University City. It is currently being studied to use Chestnut Street, Walnut Street, and 40th Street southbound to Baltimore Avenue. Off-road routes through Penn’s campus are also being discussed. This would be a great opportunity to showcase the neighborhood and its assets, such as The Woodlands property. For more information, check out www.eastcoastgreenway.org.

Submitted by:

Jessi Averill

The Partnership CDC

Cc: Those in Attendance

Friends of 40th Street

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