The Lawncrest Community Association last week approved a proposed conversion of an old hospital building into a 20-unit apartment complex.
The site is the long-closed Oxford Hospital, at 623–27 Unruh St.
The spaces will be a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments and studios/efficiencies. Each unit will have a parking spot. Outside surveillance cameras will be registered with the 2nd Police District. The project will take eight months to complete.
The owner has a July 10 hearing in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
In other news from the June 5 meeting:
• City Councilman Bobby Henon does not represent anything within the LCA boundaries, but he was on hand to discuss his Bad Neighbor Initiative.
The initiative focuses on property maintenance issues such as trash, dog waste, weeds and broken windows. It also includes nuisance tenants, unlicensed owners and owners who owe property taxes.
“Bad neighbors deserve a bad neighbor initiative,” Henon said. “I’m trying to shame people into doing the right thing. I’m trying to change behavior.”
The councilman, a Democrat from the 6th Councilman District, believes poorly maintained properties decrease housing values by 20 percent. He is working with the city to use fines and enforcement action against violators.
Budget cuts have hurt the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
“L&I needs more inspectors,” Henon said.
For more information, call 215–686–3444 or go to www.bobbyhenon.com/badneighbor
On another matter, Henon said he is working with the Department of Streets to change a policy that prohibits people from putting out their trash until 7 p.m. the night before collection. Some people are pushing for an earlier time because it’s dark at 7 p.m. in the fall and winter.
• The 97th annual Lawncrest 4th of July Celebration is approaching. The rain date is Saturday, July 7.
The theme is A Community United.
A parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Rising Sun and Longshore avenues and proceed south to the Lawncrest Recreation Center at Comly Street. The grand marshals will be current and former teachers and nuns at St. William School.
Activities will take place at the rec center.
There will be an American flag-raising ceremony, a flea market/craft show, car show, children’s rides, food court, live bands, magic show, drill teams and fireworks at dusk.
Vendors looking to participate in the flea market/craft show can call 267–467–0034 or 215–287–7056.
Donations can be sent to Lawncrest 4th of July Committee, P.O. Box 24656, Philadelphia, PA 19111.
For more information, e-mail lawncrestjuly4th@hotmail.com or check out the Lawncrest 4th of July page on Facebook.
• Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, said there have been five purse-snatchings since March 25 in the district. The latest occurred June 2 on the 7000 block of Lynford St.
In that incident, the suspect threw the victim to the ground. He is described as a black man with a dark complexion, 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 220 to 230 pounds. He was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.
In each crime, he was driving a dark-colored Buick Rendezvous.
• The zoning board approved a businessman’s proposal to convert a long-vacant property on the 500 block of Levick St. into a tax preparation office. The property is zoned residential.
The LCA approved the bid at its May meeting with provisos that the property remain owner-occupied and a single-family dwelling, and must not have any off-street parking.
• Lawncrest Library, at 6098 Rising Sun Ave. (at Benner Street), is offering a variety of summer programs.
Lil’ Filmmakers is a six-week course that will teach writing, acting and video. The class meets on the following Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m.: June 19 and 26 and July 10, 17, 24 and 31.
The summer reading program will kick off on Monday, June 25 at 11 a.m. with Sing and Move Along with Pete.
A comic drawing workshop will take place on Wednesday, July 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
A teen writing workshop will be held on Wednesday, July 25 at 2 p.m.
Call 215–685–0549.
• The Philadelphia Protestant Home Women’s Auxiliary will sponsor a chicken dinner on Thursday, June 21, from 3:30 to 7 p.m., at the home, at 6500 Tabor Ave.
The meal will include mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry stuffing, cole slaw, glazed carrots, pie, coffee and tea.
The cost is $9 for adults and $4 for children. Takeout is available for $9.50.
In other PPH news, the home will host two concerts on upcoming Thursdays. The Daisy Jug Band will perform on July 19. The Midiri Brothers Swing Band will entertain on Aug. 23. Both concerts will start at 7 p.m. and take place in the air-conditioned social hall.
Meanwhile, PPH will hold a gala on Oct. 5 at Cannstatter’s. Call 215–697–8000.
• A moment of silence was held for two neighborhood residents — Harry Schroder and Billy Kane — who died recently.
• The Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors and City Councilwoman Marian Tasco will co-sponsor a free housing resource fair on Saturday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at St. William Memorial Hall, at 6234 Rising Sun Ave.
There will be roundtable discussions, free credit checks, credit counseling, information on market rates and visits from representatives of banks, utility companies and real estate offices.
Guests will receive door prizes and be entered in a drawing for a Kindle. Call Tasco’s office at 215–686–3454.
• The Oxford Circle Farmers Market will be open every Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. through October at the Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, at 900 E. Howell St. Fresh fruit and vegetables will be for sale. Visit foodtrustmarkets.org
• The city Department of Streets invites people to drop off tires on a couple of upcoming dates.
Among the dropoff locations are Delaware Avenue and Wheatsheaf Lane on July 21; and Torresdale Avenue and Ashburner Street and Pennway and St. Vincent streets on Aug. 11. Times are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at St. William parish hall, at Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
