HomeNewsBicycle shop expansion wins support at Holmesburg Civic meeting

Bicycle shop expansion wins support at Holmesburg Civic meeting

The Holmesburg Civic Association last spring overwhelmingly approved a bid by Liberty Bell Bicycles for an addition to be used for repairs, rentals or more showroom space.

Owner Phil McGurk built the 400-square-foot addition, but with the cost of business rising, he was back at the civic’s meeting on Jan. 8. This time, he was looking for community approval for a water ice stand in the addition. The shop would also sell ice cream, protein bars and fitness drinks.

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The additional revenue would help McGurk pay for increasing property taxes, utility bills and city business fees. The bike shop is located at 7741 Frankford Ave.

Rich Frizell, the civic association president, wanted to wait until the group’s February meeting to vote on the matter. But the executive board voted 4–2 to hold the vote last week after McGurk and his attorney, Brett Feldman, noted that their Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is on Jan. 30.

In a show of hands, civic association members voted unanimously to support McGurk’s latest effort.

A representative from Liberty Bell’s next-door neighbor, Living Waters Ministries, also spoke in support of the water ice stand, as long as there were no trash issues and crowds of kids.

In other news from the meeting:

• Mary McPhillips, a social worker with Center City-based Turning Points for Children, told the crowd that her agency is looking to open an office somewhere in the 15th Police District boundaries. Funded by the city Department of Human Services, Turning Points partners with caregivers to help families raise safe, healthy, educated and strong children.

• A zoning board hearing is set for noon Wednesday, Jan. 23, for a proposed methadone clinic at 7520 State Road. The hearing will take place at 1515 Arch St., 18th floor.

Attorney Dan McCaffery represents State Road businesses that oppose the clinic. The owners of two of those businesses — Gershel Brothers, which sells new and used store fixtures, and Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse — were in attendance.

• City Councilman Bobby Henon will host an energy efficiency workshop on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Tacony Police Athletic League Center, at 4401 Aldine St. Residents will learn how to conserve energy and save on their utility bills.

• State Rep. Kevin Boyle will sponsor a legislative hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m., at the Mayfair Community Center, at 2990 St. Vincent St. The subject will be methadone treatment facilities and their effect on surrounding communities.

• Lt. Collean Cook and undercover officers and brothers Mike and Bill Smith, of the 15th Police District, asked residents to report concerns. The police officials are aware of underage drinking on the grounds of Abraham Lincoln High School and a variety of issues on the 4700 blocks of several streets just east of Torresdale Avenue. They also indicated they’d have no problem addressing issues in Pennypack Park, even in the parts of the park that are just across the border in the 8th Police District.

• Rich Frizell, the civic group president, is still waiting to hear back from the city Department of Parks and Recreation about issues in the park area near Frankford and Solly avenues. Frizell wants to work with the city agency to address drugs, homeless people and trash in the park.

The civic leader, who calls the park “an absolute gem,” is planning a cleanup and picnic for April 20 or 27 to coincide with Earth Day.

• Holmesburg Civic Association’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 7:15 p.m., at Holmesburg Recreation Center, at Rhawn and Ditman streets. Call 215–686–3444. ull;•

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