Ellie Vamos, new commercial corridor manager for the Frankford CDC, updated residents on several projects and initiatives during the Oct. 4 civic association meeting.
Residents at Frankford Civic Association’s Oct. 4 meeting heard from the Frankford Community Development Corporation’s new commercial corridor manager.
Ellie Vamos, who started at the CDC about a month ago, provided updates on some of the CDC’s projects and initiatives.
The organization is raising money to renovate a vacant building at 4665 Paul St., next to the CDC’s headquarters. It’s a former flower shop, and the CDC plans to put a commercial space on the bottom floor and affordable apartments on the second floor, Vamos said.
City property records indicate the CDC purchased the building in July for $55,000.
Meanwhile, next door at the CDC’s office, a cafe operator is preparing to open a new business on the first floor. The shop, which will sell coffee, gelato, salads and sandwiches, is expected to open by the end of the year, according to Vamos.
Vamos said part of the space will be reserved for community meetings and events. The cafe, however, will be a conventional business, she said.
Several residents raised concerns that drug activity on Frankford Avenue, especially near Arrott Transportation Center, could scare businesses away.
“Those are ongoing issues that we have been in a lot of conversations with the police district, with the Streets Department,” Vamos said. “We’re always working with L&I because trash is also a huge issue on the corridor.”
Pat Smiley, facilitator of the meeting, asked residents to take note of problem intersections and report them to police at the next 15th District PSA 1 meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at Bridesburg Recreation Center, 4601 Richmond St., according to the police department’s website.
Vamos said the CDC is also working with Seventh District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez’s office and the streets department to alleviate traffic issues in East Frankford. Specifically, officials are looking to improve the area bounded by Worth Street and Frankford Avenue between Margaret Street and Kinsey Street, according to Vamos.
In other news:
- The Frankford Neighborhood Advisory Committee will be holding a community zoning meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Second Baptist Church, 1801 Meadow St. Several items are expected to be on the docket, including a permit for the manufacturing of pudding and sweets at 1633 Orthodox St., a proposal for a deck at a nightclub located at 4501 Castor Ave., a permit for a take-out restaurant that serves alcohol at 4101–4107 Paul St. and a proposal for a second- and third-floor residential extension at 4800 Frankford Ave.
- The Frankford CDC and state Rep. Jason Dawkins are hosting a free Halloween party Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Frankford Pause Park, 4673 Paul St. A “trick or treat” event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., and a movie will be shown at 5 p.m.
- A yard tree giveaway will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at Frankford Pause Park, 4673 Paul St. Free recycling bins and other sustainability resources will also be available. To register, contact Ellie Vamos at [email protected] or call 215–743–6580, Ext. 105. Trees must be planted in the ground on private property and not in containers or on the sidewalk. In the event of rain, this event will be held at the Daral Building, 4667 Paul St. ••
Jack Tomczuk can be reached at [email protected]
