Sign of the times: The Mayfair Civic Association approved plans for new signs on the Smylie Times building. The front, which faces Rhawn Street, will state in blue “Jefferson at Smylie Times.”
A Northeast Philadelphia landmark is about to get a facelift, providing the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment agrees with members of the Mayfair Civic Association.
The MCA voted to approve plans by the Jefferson Health System to change the facade signs on the venerable Smylie Times Building at Roosevelt Boulevard and Rhawn Street. The former home of a Northeast Times business office, the five-story building for decades has displayed the “Smylie Times” name in white block lettering.
Plans call for new blue and red lettering to replace the old on two sides of the building. The front, which faces Rhawn Street, will state in blue “Jefferson at Smylie Times” as well as “Jefferson Health System” with a silhouette profile image of Thomas Jefferson. The west of the building, which faces the Boulevard, will state “Jefferson” in blue and “Urgent Care” in red as a beacon to urgent arrivals.
At night, the blue lettering will be internally lit and appear white, while the red lettering will be illuminated in red.
Mayfair Civic members unanimously voted not to oppose the zoning application. According to Jefferson representatives who presented the plans at the meeting, zoning approval is required for the signage because of its height above the ground.
The building is already home to Jefferson facilities, including an urgent care center and cardiology practice.
In other business:
• Joe DeFelice, president of the Mayfair Community Development Corporation, reported that the CDC continues to work with Councilman Bobby Henon and community representatives to establish a business improvement district on Frankford Avenue, between Harbison Avenue and Sheffield Street, as well as on the 3500 and 4000 blocks of Cottman Ave.
A business improvement district would give merchants potential access to hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding for capital improvements, marketing and other initiatives, DeFelice said.
• The 7th annual Mayfair Fallen Heroes Run will be on May 16. The 5k run and walk will start at Lincoln High School at 8:30 a.m. and follow Ryan Avenue, Frankford Avenue, Rhawn Street, Lexington Avenue and back to Ryan Avenue. This year’s honoree will be Police Officer Gennaro Pellegrini, who was killed while on military deployment in Iraq. Advance registration is available on the event’s Facebook page. Day-of registration will start at 7:30 a.m.
Proceeds will benefit the Hero Thrill Show and the Mayfair Memorial Playground restoration project. The Mayfair May Fair will commence after the run.
• The Mayfair Memorial Playground is participating in the city’s Spring Cleanup on April 11. To participate, visit www.philadelphiastreets.com/philly-spring-cleanup for information. ••
