Arnie

Stay alert

It was around this time last year that Chestnut Hill was taken off guard by a violent daylight mugging in Pastorius Park. Local residents interviewed at the time by Local reporter Mike Mishak were understandably shocked to find out that something like that could have happened in such a placid — and well-traveled — environment.

This summer, Chestnut Hill finds itself once again under threat from perpetrators brazen enough to strike during the day and seemingly at random. From Evergreen Avenue down to Mermaid Lane, at least one group of teens has been attacking and robbing unsuspecting pedestrians. The M.O. appears to be the same in each case: an unarmed group of young black males physically assaulting and robbing individuals walking in the afternoon or evening, then scattering at the first sign of intervention or aid.

Police are stepping up patrols on the east side, but residents also need to be vigilant. Avoid walking alone; stay aware of your surroundings and program cell phones with a “hot key” that dials 911. Report any suspicious activity to the police.

As CHCA president Maxine Dornemann said on this page last summer, Hillers need to “rise to the challenge” of keeping our neighborhood safe. This does not mean hiding indoors; it means being smart and watching out for each other. Minding our own business won’t cut it — perpetrators who feel they have a good chance of being seen and caught will themselves become timid. We need to ensure that ownership of our streets stays in the hands of those who respect the law.           

James Sturdivant

Opinion:
College’s proposal the best option for Sugarloaf property

by PHIL & TAMAR STERN

As many in the community are aware, Chestnut Hill College may acquire the Sugarloaf estate, located along Germantown Avenue between Bells Mill Road and the Wissahickon Creek bridge. We are writing as neighbors of the college in support of that purchase, and to alert the community to the potential adverse consequences of development by outside commercial interests.

The college would be an excellent, conscientious steward of the Sugarloaf property. It is a stable institution that has, to date, demonstrated in its planning a respect for the environment on every level — ecological, aesthetic and human use. Faced with growth in its enrollment, it has admirably refrained from building over the Wissahickon flood plain, which is technically feasible but bad for the environment. Its positive involvement in the Germantown Avenue Bridge project is a testament to its understanding of this community and commitment to Chestnut Hill. The college has exhibited respect for the opinions and concerns of its neighbors — having invited neighbors to participate in its discussion of the merits of this real estate proposal on July 11. And from what we have seen of its preliminary ideas for Sugarloaf, it has every intention of continuing its good record.

The sale of Sugarloaf comes at a time when the northern end of Chestnut Hill is already on the verge of rapid change. The impending Woodmere Museum expansion alone will change the rural-residential feeling that one still has at the northwestern gateway to Chestnut Hill. With respect to this development, we must be proactive. Whenever there is growth there is traffic. While traffic potentially means more business in the community, if the traffic is not handled wisely there will be gridlock and accidents — resulting in unhappy neighbors and a deterrent for shoppers. As drivers know, traffic at the Germantown Avenue intersections of Bells Mill and Hillcrest Avenue is already burdened at rush hour and will only increase. Pedestrians know how crossing Germantown, Bells Mill and Hillcrest avenues can be a daunting and even dangerous prospect at many times of the day. The absence of traffic controls in this region sends the message to commuters — “Zoom through as quickly as you like!”

If the Sugarloaf estate is thoughtlessly developed, the area could become even worse for everybody, including commuters, visitors, merchants and residents — a lovely community rendered inaccessible and unpleasant. An apartment complex or an exurban-style development with single-family homes would not only spoil the visual character of the neighborhood — a balance between woodland, arboretum, and older stone structures — but also add stress to an already burdened area.

Imagine this instead: an urban expansion that will encourage the entire community, in addition to the college students, to walk or ride bikes into town, and from town into the Wissahickon. This would enhance the most appealing aspect of our community. In what other city do you find in close proximity shops, a museum, a world-class arboretum and the unspoiled woodlands? Expanding traffic calming measures currently in place on the new bridge would allow our community to enjoy its many resources as well as send a new message to commuters — “Slow down, spend time and enjoy our community.” Chestnut Hill College is the only potential owner of Sugarloaf with the vision, commitment and political clout, combined with neighborhood involvement, to make this idea a reality. We hope that others in the community will take an interest in the college’s plan and support their purchase and responsible development of Sugarloaf.

Phil and Tamar Stern are residents of Chestnut Hill.