Publications

SEPTA and the City are testing a new traffic signal at the corner of 15th and Market streets designed to give buses a three-second head start over traffic. It's called a "queue jump signal."  Officials hope that bringing the signals to busy bus corridors will help improve service and ease congestion in Center City. 

Starting this month, SEPTA drivers approaching 15th and Market in the bus lane heading eastbound heed to the new LED traffic signal, which uses a white bar that tells them to stop or go. Drivers know to brake when the bar is horizontal and move again once it switches to vertical. Drivers have three seconds to forge ahead into the intersection before the green light blinks on for other vehicles. The three-second head-start is enough to prevent buses from getting blocked in by other vehicles at the intersection. 

I recently joined officers of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association in a meeting with Liz Hersh, the director of the City's Office of Homeless Services, (OHS)  and Paul Levy, director of the Center City District (CCD).  Both meetings were to discuss the issue of homelessness and panhandling in the neighborhood, which CCD statistics show, has been getting worse the last few years.  Obviously, the causes of homelessness are many, but most involve some combination of mental health issues, drug use, and lack of employment.  While the long-term answer is more funding for outreach, social services and shelters/housing, OHS has put together a flyer on who to call when you see someone who needs help.  Please use this guide linked here. If there is a particularly problematic individual that appears to be homeless and is causing a public disruption (ex: severely mentally ill), please email the office  describing the individual and the behavior. Put "Homeless" in the subject line. We will forward a description of the individual to OHS on your behalf. If you are interested in working on a small task force to address the homeless issues, please contact the office.

I am glad to report that the Blatstein House Tour was a complete success. All told, we grossed $25,500. When expenses were deducted, the organization netted $21,964, 10K more than the Fall of 2018 house tour. And a good time was had by all! 

But house tour purists, don't despair. CCRA is organizing the traditional house tour, now House and Garden Tour, for the Spring of 2020, and your help is needed! A committee is assembling, and has 4 houses and 1 garden, but more homes and gardens are needed! As are Sponsors, writers/editors/graphic designers, and 100 Day-Of Volunteers. So don't be shy if you want to help. 

Maggie Mund, CCRA President

Captain Hooven guesses the number of cheese balls in the bottle at CCRA table at Schuylkill River Park Fall Festival

Thank you to all who came out to the Fall Festival last Saturday. Many stopped by our table to discuss the issues going on in the neighborhood with Captain Hooven of the 9th District. Captain Hooven reported that the thief who had been actively breaking into residences in the neighborhood had been apprehended, so that particular issue should be addressed for now.

Our cheese ball contest. was a big hit--over 50 people entered to play!  One little girl guessed 16 cheese balls were in the container--when asked by one of our board members why she guessed 16, she responded that 16 was as high as she could count!  (The winning number was 740--she had a way to go!)

Businesses seeking liquor licenses are required to post a large, orange poster, in landscape, when they are seeking a liquor license.  Neighbors within 500 feet have thirty (30) days from the date of posting to protest the license by sending a letter to the state liquor board saying they oppose the license, as the LCB explains here.  Protesting a license starts a process that (as a practical matter) will cause the applicant to contact the protestors to address their concerns (usually, noise, crowding).  CCRA can help you with your protest, if you like.  Call or email the office saying you have a liquor issue.  CCRA itself is UNABLE protest a license application under PA liquor law.  License applicants are NOT required to contact CCRA and usually don't.  Once the poster goes up, YOU have to take action.  Again, CCRA can help you but can't do anything with you. 

Be alert

This morning, a CCRA member email us to report a suspicious person located on the 2300 block of Delancey, carrying a suitcase, tried to enter her home.  She was home at the time but the person didn't ring the bell. Be careful and keep your doors locked at all times. 

Another Suspicious Person Spotted. Be alert!

This morning, a CCRA member email us to report a suspicious person located on the 2300 block of Delancey, carrying a suitcase, and tried to enter the home.  The member was home at the time and wasn't expecting any visitors. Be careful and keep your doors locked at all times. 

Dog Attack between Delancey and Pine

Earlier this week, a 3-month old puppy, was attacked and killed on 21st Street between Delancey and Pine Streets by a pitbull being walked by a dog walker.  If you are walking your pup, make sure you pick it up if you spot a bigger dog.  If you're walking a bigger dog, be careful if you see any smaller dogs in your vicinity.  Please be mindful so a horrific tragedy like this does not happen again.  If a dog attacks you or your pet, call the police immediately and contact Animal Control.  

Ed Hille - Inquirer Photographer

The Chestnut Street bridge over the Schuylkill is closing next week, and it won't be open to traffic again for a year.

The bridge needs repairs, including repairing and repainting the steel superstructure and replacing the deck. The structure also will be upgraded with a bike lane, wider sidewalks, and decorative railings. 

For more information, click or tap here.

However, Spruce Street at our end of town is another matter because of much-despised utility coordination. The 1500 block of Spruce Street is scheduled to be complete by September 7, 2019, and the four blocks between 18th and 21st Street will take longer. Please click or tap here for detailed information in the City's press release. 

City to Address Congestion on Chestnut Street through engineering and enforcement