Positive signs on the
Frankford business corridor

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

City Councilman Dan Savage gave a belated Christmas present to Frankford Avenue last week when he cut the powder-blue ribbon officially unveiling "Welcome to Frankford" banner signs two days after Christmas.
"Now these banners will welcome new patrons to Frankford businesses and encourage more entry into Frankford," Savage said.
Savage (D-7th dist.) likened the idea of blank walls in a new house to the blue steel pillars that hold the El up above Frankford Avenue.
"These banners will add a touch of warmth and class to the Frankford Avenue business corridor," Savage said.
So far the metal banners can be seen only along the 4800 block of Frankford Ave., between Harrison and Fillmore streets. They’ll soon extend all the way down to historic Womrath Park.
The look of the signs was discussed and debated for months before the final product was decided upon. In the end, the group settled on the monogram F. The metal signs read "Welcome to Frankford" and "Historic Frankford" in orange and blue.
"Sometimes simple is better," said Frankford activist Terry Tobin, who was part of those debates.
Debbie Klak, president of the Historical Society of Frankford, was excited to see the signs boasting of Frankford’s history for all to see along the avenue.
"Finally something that makes people think history. The word is out there, and we at the historical society are educating people, but this is fabulous. This is a major start," Klak said, pointing out that Frankford Avenue was the route of the victory march to Yorktown during the Revolutionary War.
A historic marker high above the American Pants Company store also boasts of the location of the Jolly Post, a Revolutionary War-era tavern visited by none other than George Washington himself.
A total of 80 banner signs are planned for Frankford Avenue, along with 84 trash receptacles and about 30 trees.
Savage chief of staff Liz McCollum-Nazario also showed off the pigeon spikes that will be mounted atop each sign, preventing the birds from alighting — or, for that matter, doing anything else — upon the new signage.
SEPTA has cleaned the pillars supporting the El, crosswalks have been repainted, and new street signs are also expected to go up shortly.
According to Tracy O’Drain, manager of economic development services for Frankford Community Development Corporation, planters were slated to go in front of the mozaic restaurant that recently closed. Instead they’ll be placed in front of the Third Federal Savings bank building, which is owned by NorthEast Treatment Center.
The Frankford Special Services District will maintain the planters for the first year. Thereafter, NorthEast Treatment has agreed to maintain them.
Also on hand for the unveiling were state Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-2nd dist.) and state Rep. Tony Payton (D-179th dist.)
"Dan has worked very hard," Tartaglione said. "We actually sit down and design how we’ll best spend money for the community."
She expects the banners to be a visible sign for revitalization in Frankford.
"This is going to help. It’s going to take one store at a time. This is going to help generate excitement," Tartaglione said.
According to Savage, Tartaglione’s financial support of the Frankford Special Services District has been vital to its resuscitation. She came through with $10,000 in the summer of 2006 and another $10,000 in the fall of this year. With another $25,000 in grant money earmarked for 2008, that brings Tartaglione’s support up to $45,000.
Payton also came through with $5,000 for the neighborhood improvement district, which 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 was originally approved by city legislation in 1995 to spruce up the business strip, but had virtually collapsed. It was resuscitated last fall with grant money to cover its liabilities and cleaning resumed along Frankford Avenue.
The district 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.
The district was recently re-established by City Council so that the business tax could be collected and should be up and running before Mayor John Street and Savage leave office next Monday. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com