Special services to
return to Frankford

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Business owner Bill Goldshlack tried hard to block re-establishment of the Frankford Special Services District, but, in the end, he just couldn’t pull it off.
In a last-minute push, Goldshlack, who owns the Victor Stores, needed 51 percent of Frankford business owners to oppose the Special Services District — and in particular the taxes that would be assessed by the city to support it.
Goldshlack couldn’t muster that opposition. As a result, Mayor John Street’s endorsement of a bill creating the district is expected to have it up and running before he leaves office in January.
The Frankford Special Services District will encompass 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 district — a tool used for neighborhood improvement — requires owners of business properties to pay a yearly tax, with the collective revenue used to clean the streets and undertake other projects to keep the area safe and attractive.
In years past, when the district was in place, there were Frankford property owners who resisted paying the tax and the services eventually faltered.
The Frankford Special Services District, originally approved by city legislation in 1995 to spruce up the business strip, had virtually collapsed.
It was resuscitated last fall, aided largely by $25,000 in grant money to cover its liabilities, and cleanings resumed along Frankford Avenue.
It was necessary, though, for City Council to officially re-establish the neighborhood-improvement district so that the business tax could be collected.
Liz McCollum-Nazario, a board member for the services district, expects the taxes to help bring back the Safety Ambassadors — a special patrol program — along the business district in the next year or two. More trash cans will soon be installed on Frankford Avenue.
Tracy O’Drain, manager of economic development services for the Frankford Community Development Corp., will handle the billing associated with the improvement district.
City Councilman Daniel Savage (D-7th dist.) said there will be a stronger enforcement effort this time around to go after property owners who balk at paying the tax.
If the merchant leases the business site, the owner is the one who will be on notice.
"It’s the landlord’s (responsibility), not the business owner’s," Savage stressed. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com