Savage pushes for Frankford
to be Special again

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

City Councilman Dan Savage (D-7th dist.) was instrumental in two pieces of business before City Council last week that will have a major impact on his home turf.
The Rules Committee, of which Savage is a member, held a hearing to officially re-establish the Frankford Special Services District. Savage also introduced legislation to amend the city’s zoning code, thus allowing creation of a classification to permit transit-oriented development.
The Frankford Special Services District encompasses both sides of Frankford Avenue, from Torresdale Avenue to Bridge Street, and certain side streets that include parts of Kensington Avenue and Foulkrod, Gillingham, Griscom, Margaret, Meadow, Orthodox, Paul, Pratt, Darrah and Unity streets.
The Frankford Special Services District, originally approved by city legislation in 1995 to spruce up the business strip, had virtually collapsed.
The neighborhood improvement district calls for business owners to be levied a yearly tax to help clean the streets and keep the area safe and attractive. In years past, though, some business owners didn’t pay their tax and the district was unable to provide services.
The Special Services District was resuscitated last fall, received grant money to cover its liabilities and had begun cleaning Frankford Avenue again. It was necessary, though, to have City Council officially re-establish the neighborhood improvement district to collect the business tax.
Savage initiated action in City Council to re-establish the district in June.
The transit-oriented development is a growing trend across the country. It aims to achieve compact, walkable communities with a mix of residential and commercial properties near transit hubs.
"It is consistent with this city’s goal of becoming greener, and improving the economic living conditions of our neighborhoods," Savage told City Council colleagues.
The ordinance would require new buildings to be constructed within five feet of the sidewalk, with a two-story minimum, and those exceeding 50,000 square feet would require certification by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a national benchmark for so-called "green" buildings that fulfill environmental standards. Parking lots will not be permitted along the principal street frontage. However, existing uses will be excluded from the change.
"Specifically, the design and zoning changes provided for in this bill will give Frankford Avenue, a vital business corridor in my district and parts of Councilman (Frank) DiCicco’s and Councilwoman (Joan) Krajewski’s districts, a pedestrian-friendly environment," Savage said to his colleagues during remarks on the Council floor.
According to Savage, who has only until the conclusion of his City Council term come the new year to see his legislation through, he is on track to make sure the groundwork is laid to have these projects completed before the winner of next week’s election succeeds him. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com