Developers partner to rehab historic Mt. Airy site by MICHAEL MISHAK Two Philadelphia-area developers have partnered to purchase and renovate the Mt. Airy site at the heart of last year’s preservation controversy. Nolen Companies, of Manayunk, and Visionary Development Company, of Wallingford, Pa., are drafting plans to convert two historic buildings on West Johnson Street into market-rate apartments, said principals of both firms in interviews last week.
While the developers are designing a series of preliminary plans to present to the community at an Aug. 16 meeting, James A. Nolen IV, of Nolen Cos., said one of the buildings, the former Presser Home for Retired Musicians, would house about 50 units, while the other, the former Nugent Baptist Home, would house about 30. Apartments will be one-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio, he said.
Both buildings were designated historic by the Philadelphia Historical Commission last fall after three area community groups formed a coalition to oppose the plans of another prospective buyer.
Mt. Airyite running on Green Party ticket by MICHAEL J. MISHAK The field just got crowded. Making the July 25 deadline, the Green Party of Philadelphia filed nomination papers last week to run Mt. Airy resident Marlene Santoyo, a retired public school teacher and longtime activist, in the race to fill the vacant state House seat left by Sen. LeAnna Washington.
Billing herself as “the people’s candidate,” Santoyo, 67, begins a frantic door-to-door campaign this week to counter the name recognition her two major party opponents, Democrat Cherelle Parker and Republican Robert Rossman, already enjoy in much of the district. A special election is set for Sept. 13.
In a twist to her candidacy, Santoyo, a lifelong registered Democrat and Democratic committeeperson, was recruited by Green Party officials last month. Long an outspoken critic on issues like nuclear testing and the Iraq war, she has traveled in Green circles for some time. Her views, she said, had been “very Green” even before the political party’s founding in the United States.
At issue: Hill’s role in state road project By AMY BRISSON Speeding, smashed cars and short cuts were all on the table at last week’s meeting of the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s traffic, transportation and parking committee at Hiram Lodge. The discussion focused on what the community could do to address traffic problems using funds and resources from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Germantown Avenue improvement project .
The meeting began with Winston Road resident John Follo passing around grim pictures of his totaled car, which had been hit while parked on Winston last October by a drunk driver who was probably going 50 or 60 miles per hour. The next week, his parked rental car was destroyed by a speeding driver in the very same spot.
“I would consider it an out of control situation,” said Follo, explaining that there have been three more accidents within 30 yards of his house since October.
Committee chair Bob Previdi, who led the meeting, explained that traffic has been much busier on Winston, Willow Grove Avenue and Mermaid Lane because the recent closure of Cresheim Valley Drive taught drivers a new short-cut for passing through Chestnut Hill on their way in or out of the city.
Council to tackle ‘stop and go’ biz By MICHAEL J. MISHAK A new state law gives City Council veto power over liquor licensees who opt to sell takeout beer and malt liquor. The law, signed by Gov. Rendell last month, requires the city’s 2,400 liquor license holders to apply for a special takeout permit starting Sept. 6. The permits must receive Council approval.
Under the new law, the body can only reject an application if it finds that the permit “would adversely affect the welfare, health, peace and morals of the city or its residents.” Vendors whose applications are denied can appeal to Common Pleas Court.
Council, whose next session begins Sept. 15, has just 45 days to review takeout permit applications, a timetable that has prompted Council President Anna Verna to suggest the body only hold hearings in cases where protests are filed.
