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It's a bit of a sore point to the BID that when the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor had a streetscape improvement about a decade ago, the 6400 block was overlooked.
PennDOT improved the commercial corridor heading north from the 6400 block, and the City of Philadelphia improved the 6300 block, heading south, leaving a gap in the BID’s effort to clean, beautify and improve its commercial corridor. The absence of pedestrian scale lamp-posts has not only left the block in the dark, but it's prevented the BID from hanging our award-winning hanging flower baskets.. The issue has taken on greater importance in recent years as both the 6300 and 6500 blocks of Germantown are experiencing significant residential and commercial development. These changes are putting greater demand and pressure on the 6400 block as a gateway between the sister communities of Mt. Airy and Germantown. In 2021, the BID board allocated $20,000 to attract government funding by hiring design professionals who can provide a conceptual layout of lighting design and other improvements and determine estimated construction costs. The consultants launched the project in January 2022 with a public meeting designed to gain community feedback and approval. By filling in this gap, local small businesses and institutions will be more successful, commercial, and mixed-use properties will be more valuable, and residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the benefits of a vibrant community. The proposed improvements include the installation of pedestrian-scale lighting and new sidewalks and amenities such as hanging flower baskets, attractive planters, and new street trees.
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"Long overdue!" was the reaction of shoppers at the Grocery Outlet on Hortter Street when when they had a chance to study the city's plan to install pedestrian crossings at seven new intersections along Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy. To see and comment on the designs for the various intersections, stop by any of the following places of business: Ground Zero Salon Senator Haywood's Office Rhino Chiropractic Bella Mosaic Art Malelani Cafe Kim's Trio Delight Brown Eye Care        The Mt. Airy BID will offer an opportunity on for the public to take a look at the preliminary designs for eight potential new crosswalks along Germantown Avenue.
When: March 1st, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Where: The lobby of the Grocery Outlet located at Germantown Avenue and Hortter Street (25 W. Hortter). Background: With its iconic cobblestones and trolley tracks, the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor is ready to serve and satisfy, but combined with the insufficient number of safe, controlled pedestrian crossings, along the two-mile stretch in Mt. Airy, it can be a challenge for anyone who isn’t fleet of foot. Between Sedgwick and Phil-Ellena Streets, for instance, there is almost a half-mile gap between controlled crossings. “Making the Avenue safe for pedestrians has long been a priority for the Mt. Airy BID and its business and property owners,” said Ken Weinstein, President of the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District. “We want to do everything we can to make doing business, shopping or dining out as easy and safe as possible for our customers and employees.” Improved pedestrian crossings reached a significant boost at the BID’s 2019 Annual Meeting, when representatives of the city’s Commerce Department committed to support 9 new pedestrian crossings along Germantown Avenue. The Commerce Department subsequently dedicated streetscape funding for the design and engineering phase, which began in March 2020 with a field survey conducted by Gannett Fleming, the transportation engineering firm contracted for this project. A preliminary concept was shared by Gannett Fleming at a June 10th meeting with a community steering committee for review and feedback. Based on that feedback, several revisions were made. Click here to view the presentation. As you will see in the powerpoint presentation, the intersections that are under consideration for new controlled crossings are: Durham, East Gorgas, Carpenter/Meehan, Pelham/Slocum Street, Phil-Ellena, Hortter, and Cliveden. The proposed crossings will include “bump-outs” (see example in the power point presentation) that will increase pedestrian visibility and shorten the length of the street crossing. Installed at the bump-outs will be “Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB” (also visible in the power point presentation), which can be activated by the pedestrian to create a strobe light flashing pattern to get the attention of motorists. Mt. Airy Community Steering Committee on Pedestrian Crosswalks Linda Bell, East Mt. Airy Neighbors Mike Boyle, Owen’s Antiques Carol Campbell, East Mt. Airy Neighbors Susan Dannenberg, West Mt. Airy Neighbors Libbie Hawes, Cliveden of the National Trust Maisha Jackson, Senator Art Haywood’s Office Brad Maule, Mt. Airy CDC Kathryn McKenzie-Zeigler, West Mt. Airy Neighbors Scott Seibert, Bancroft Green Natalia Serejko, East Mt. Airy Neighbors Ken Weinstein, Mt. Airy Business Improvement District Peggy Zwerver, Earth, Bread and Brewery Wendy Weinstein, owner of Ground Zero Salon at 7119 Germantown Avenue, is the newest property/business owner to join the BID board. Wendy was elected at the October Annual Meeting, along with the re-election of BID board long-timers Yvonne Haskins and Deborah Gary. To see the full roster of board members, click here.
With its iconic cobblestones and trolley tracks, the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor is ready to serve and satisfy, but combined with the insufficient number of safe, controlled pedestrian crossings, along the two-mile stretch in Mt. Airy, it can be a challenge for anyone who isn’t fleet of foot. Between Sedgwick and Phil-Ellena Streets, for instance, there is almost a half-mile gap between controlled crossings.
“Making the Avenue safe for pedestrians has long been a priority for the Mt. Airy BID and its business and property owners,” said Ken Weinstein, President of the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District. “We want to do everything we can to make doing business, shopping or dining out as easy and safe as possible for our customers and employees.” Improved pedestrian crossings reached a significant boost at the BID’s 2019 Annual Meeting, when representatives of the city’s Commerce Department committed to support 9 new pedestrian crossings along Germantown Avenue. The Commerce Department subsequently dedicated streetscape funding for the design and engineering phase, which began in March with a field survey conducted by Gannett Fleming, the transportation engineering firm contracted for this project. A preliminary concept was shared by Gannett Fleming at a June 10th meeting with a community steering committee for review and feedback. Click here to view the presentation. Click here to view the feedback provided by the steering committee. As you will see in the powerpoint presentation, the intersections that are under consideration for new controlled crossings are: Durham, East Gorgas, Carpenter/Meehan, Pelham/Slocum Street, Phil-Ellena, Hortter, and Cliveden. The proposed crossings will include “bump-outs” (see example in the power point presentation) that will increase pedestrian visibility and shorten the length of the street crossing. Installed at the bump-outs will be “Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB” (also visible in the power point presentation), which can be activated by the pedestrian to create a strobe light flashing pattern to get the attention of motorists. A site tour is scheduled for July 9th, after which the steering committee will reconvene in late summer. For more information about the site tour, or to give feedback on the proposal, contact Janis Risch, executive director of the Mt. Airy Business Improvement, at Janis@mtairybid.com. Mt. Airy Community Steering Committee on Pedestrian Crosswalks Linda Bell, East Mt. Airy Neighbors Mike Boyle, Owen’s Antiques Carol Campbell, East Mt. Airy Neighbors Susan Dannenberg, West Mt. Airy Neighbors Libbie Hawes, Cliveden of the National Trust Maisha Jackson, Senator Art Haywood’s Office Brad Maule, Mt. Airy CDC Kathryn McKenzie-Zeigler, West Mt. Airy Neighbors Scott Seibert, Bancroft Green Natalia Serejko, East Mt. Airy Neighbors Ken Weinstein, Mt. Airy Business Improvement District Peggy Zwerver, Earth, Bread and Brewery Today, the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District (BID) announced a $5,000 matching grant to the Mt. Airy COVID-19 Business Relief Fund established by Mt. Airy Community Development Corporation (CDC). All contributions by area residents and others will be matched by the Mt. Airy BID until $10,000 total is raised.
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(Phila., PA) - Connor Barwin, a former Philadelphia Eagle and founder of Make the World Better (MTWB) Foundation, will kick off the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District’s dedication ceremony Thursday, September 26th, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., to mark the completion of five pocket parks along the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor and acknowledge the generous supporters who helped make the parks possible.
A Philadelphia resident, Barwin founded MTWB foundation in 2013 during his first year with the Eagles, and since then has led public park revitalization projects in West Kensington and South Philadelphia. Barwin was twice elected as the Eagles’ Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient in recognition of his community service efforts.
“The Mt. Airy Business Improvement District (BID) is very excited to welcome Connor Barwin to Mt. Airy and proud to share MTWB’s mission to enhance public spaces,” said Mt. Airy BID Chair Ken Weinstein. “Since its founding in 2008, Mt. Airy BID efforts have helped transform Germantown Avenue from a trash-strewn commercial corridor to a clean, green, and safe business district to serve the residents of Northwest Philly and beyond.”
The Mt. Airy Business Improvement District is one of 14 business improvement districts in the City of Philadelphia. Business Improvement Districts are legal mechanisms for property owners and businesses in a defined geographic area to jointly plan and fund a set of services to improve their area. The Mt. Airy BID is funded by 223 property owners to maintain the cleaning and greening of 1.8 miles of commercial corridor from Washington Lane to Cresheim Valley Drive.
Constructed over the past two years, the pocket parks converted vacant and underutilized lots along the commercial corridor into nicely landscaped gathering spots for the public to enjoy. The parks were made possible through the support of property owners in the BID, along with private donations from the community. The park amenities include benches, café and gaming tables, and custom-made little free libraries that celebrate Mt. Airy.
The pocket park in the 6300 block of Germantown Avenue is located next to the Johnson House Historic Site, Philadelphia’s only accessible and intact stop on the Underground Railroad. The park will be named Freedom Park in honor of this legacy. A sixth pocket park, to be built in 2020 in the 7100 block of Germantown Avenue, will be named Friendship Park. Located between “Freedom” and “Friendship” parks are: Sedgwick Park, Carpenter Park, Pelham Park, and Trolley Car Park, which is located next to the SEPTA depot.
A Philadelphia resident, Barwin founded MTWB foundation in 2013 during his first year with the Eagles, and since then has led public park revitalization projects in West Kensington and South Philadelphia. Barwin was twice elected as the Eagles’ Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient in recognition of his community service efforts.
“The Mt. Airy Business Improvement District (BID) is very excited to welcome Connor Barwin to Mt. Airy and proud to share MTWB’s mission to enhance public spaces,” said Mt. Airy BID Chair Ken Weinstein. “Since its founding in 2008, Mt. Airy BID efforts have helped transform Germantown Avenue from a trash-strewn commercial corridor to a clean, green, and safe business district to serve the residents of Northwest Philly and beyond.”
The Mt. Airy Business Improvement District is one of 14 business improvement districts in the City of Philadelphia. Business Improvement Districts are legal mechanisms for property owners and businesses in a defined geographic area to jointly plan and fund a set of services to improve their area. The Mt. Airy BID is funded by 223 property owners to maintain the cleaning and greening of 1.8 miles of commercial corridor from Washington Lane to Cresheim Valley Drive.
Constructed over the past two years, the pocket parks converted vacant and underutilized lots along the commercial corridor into nicely landscaped gathering spots for the public to enjoy. The parks were made possible through the support of property owners in the BID, along with private donations from the community. The park amenities include benches, café and gaming tables, and custom-made little free libraries that celebrate Mt. Airy.
The pocket park in the 6300 block of Germantown Avenue is located next to the Johnson House Historic Site, Philadelphia’s only accessible and intact stop on the Underground Railroad. The park will be named Freedom Park in honor of this legacy. A sixth pocket park, to be built in 2020 in the 7100 block of Germantown Avenue, will be named Friendship Park. Located between “Freedom” and “Friendship” parks are: Sedgwick Park, Carpenter Park, Pelham Park, and Trolley Car Park, which is located next to the SEPTA depot.
Our thanks go out to all the volunteers who helped make our annual Philly Spring Clean Up Day a success. A special shout-out to Philadelphia Hebrew Public Charter School and Teens Inc. Philly, who both brought more volunteers than we could count.
265 bags of mulch were placed along the 1.8 mile commercial corridor, including in three pocket parks. This time next year, we will have three more parks in our inventory. See you all next year?
265 bags of mulch were placed along the 1.8 mile commercial corridor, including in three pocket parks. This time next year, we will have three more parks in our inventory. See you all next year?
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