HomeNewsHolmesburg Civic has big plans to clean up the neighborhood

Holmesburg Civic has big plans to clean up the neighborhood

The Holmesburg Civic Association is pushing ahead on several ways to beautify the neighborhood.

A cleanup is planned for April 20 for the portion of Pennypack Park near Frankford and Solly avenues. It will be followed by a picnic.

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Also, a cleanup of Frankford Avenue, from Sheffield Avenue to Solly Avenue, will take place either April 27 or May 4. It’ll be held in conjunction with an effort to clean up the avenue in Mayfair, south of Sheffield Avenue.

The Mayfair Community Development Corporation will be placing three trashcans along the heavily used two-mile stretch around Pennypack Park, Abraham Lincoln High School and Austin Meehan Middle School. They will be located at the intersections of Ryan and Rowland avenues, Ryan and Lexington avenues and Rhawn Street and Lexington Avenue. Walkers, runners and students make frequent use of the loop.

The civic group is hoping U.S. Rep. Bob Brady fulfills his promise to have the train trestle at Frankford and Solly avenues painted. Brady made the pledge in October, when the community celebrated the installation of a state historical marker at the Pennypack Creek Bridge.

Many neighbors consider the trestle, owned by Conrail, to be an eyesore, but the railroad has no plans to paint the metal span.

“If they do one, they have to do a thousand more,” said Ilene Jenofsky, Brady’s district administrator. “That’s what the problem is.”

Jenofsky said the paint job would be too costly, but that Conrail would be willing to install signs or a banner.

Those suggestions were rejected. Rich Frizell, the civic group’s president, said the banner would not withstand bad weather. Other neighbors noted that the banner and signs would not cover the whole bridge and they would merely be a “Band-Aid.”

Jenofsky indicated that Conrail would be willing to waive the application and insurance fees, if the civic association would fund the paint job.

In the most recent redistricting, Brady took over many areas previously represented by Rep. Allyson Schwartz, who closed her Frankford Avenue office and moved to a location on Castor Avenue in Rhawnhurst. Brady has offices in Chester, South Philadelphia, Fishtown and Port Richmond.

Jenofsky explained that constituents should contact their members of Congress with any questions or concerns, but said her office would help anyone, especially since the boundary lines are so new. The phone number for the office at 2637 E. Clearfield St. in Port Richmond is 267–519–2252.

In other news from the Feb. 12 meeting:

• Frizell said he expects at least three more days of hearings before the Zoning Board of Adjustment concerning a proposed methadone clinic at 7520 State Road. NorthEast Treatment Centers has asked for a variance that would allow it to open the clinic. The ZBA opened a hearing on the variance with two hours of testimony on Jan. 23.

• Natalie Crone has replaced Rudy Muller as community relations officer in the 8th Police District. Muller remains assigned to the 8th.

• On zoning matters, the group voted unanimously not to oppose a plan by the homeowners at 3316 Rhawn St. to install a driveway. They want to add the driveway to avoid parking on the busy street. ••

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