Let’s make
a Deal

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Deal Street neighbors are happy to see four dilapidated old homes come down on their block in Frankford.
"One was abandoned for thirty years or more," said John Shadle.
The Deal Street homes are among 43 unsafe properties to be demolished by Mayor John Street’s Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) this summer at a cost of approximately $826,325. That includes 22 party walls to be treated as part of the demolition package. The average cost per property and party wall treatment is $22,000.
John Foley, a Deal Street resident for 21 years, is more than happy to see the crumbling rattletrap next door is gone.
"It used to be a drug house. They’d sell the dope through [a hole in] the wall," Foley told City Councilman Dan Savage (D-7th dist.) last week.
While some problem properties were reported to Savage’s office by constituents, the councilman and his chief of staff Liz McCollum-Nazario toured Frankford earlier this year identifying possible properties for demolition. Many were vacant and all had outstanding L&I violations.
Savage believes a councilman can’t depend on calls from constituents to address issues in a neighborhood.
"You have to be proactive," he said.
According to its Web site, NTI demolition decisions are targeted and data-driven, aimed at maximizing opportunities for future development of the resulting vacant land. The administration works closely with City Council on NTI demolition activities.
"The benefits are large," Savage said, citing Frankford’s gateway location to Northeast Philadelphia, reduction of blight and crime, as well as neighborhood efforts to restore the business district.
The councilman’s office is reaching out to neighbors for possible uses of the vacant land.
Some neighbors are interested in purchasing the properties adjacent to their homes; others, like Foley, are interested in making it a community garden.
Before this latest round of demolitions, another 24 unsafe properties were taken down as part of a $300,000 NTI investment in the neighborhood in recent years.
Additional NTI dollars will be used for streetscape improvements to Frankford Avenue, including welcome banners, trash cans, planters and the re-striping of Frankford Avenue between Margaret and Unity streets. Savage is planning to meet with SEPTA about hanging the welcome banners on El support pillars, as well as restoring existing lighting under the El.
The Frankford demolition work is expected to continue through September. If you experience any damage, call the city’s risk management unit at 215-683-1700. To report any other concerns, contact the city managing director’s office at 215-686-2140. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com