Wissinoming Civic covers trash cans, crosswalk buttons and more

The Wissinoming Civic Association discussed various neighborhood issues at its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 29, including trash, a senior development and a missing crosswalk button.

Wissinoming Civic President John Barnes said the group has received a $22,000 state grant for four Bigbelly trash cans on Torresdale Avenue. The receptacles, common in Center City, compact trash.

Barnes thanked state Rep. Jared Solomon for procuring the funding for the project. Residents at the meeting said trash has been a problem on the avenue.

NewCourtland is starting construction on the second phase of its project at the former St. Bartholomew Elementary School. New residences for seniors are being added, Barnes said.

Less than two years ago, NewCourtland unveiled 42 apartments and a Living Independently for the Elderly (LIFE) Center at the site. The company is also constructing a facility for seniors at the former Liddonfield Homes property in Upper Holmesburg.

A school crossing guard said a crosswalk button needs to be added to Van Kirk Street and Harbison Avenue. Over the summer, a pole at the southeast corner of the intersection was knocked down in a crash and replaced with one that doesn’t have a button, she said.

As a result, she is having difficulty getting kids across the busy intersection. Contrary to popular belief, the buttons do work, the guard said.

Barnes said an issue with overflowing trash at Family Dollar, 5807 Torresdale Ave., has been resolved with the help of Councilman Bobby Henon’s office.

Solomon is sponsoring two upcoming events on Friday, Nov. 15. He will be hosting a home energy clinic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at his office, 7012 Castor Ave. Representatives will be available for those who have trouble paying their energy bills. 

Later in the day, a free family-friendly performance featuring the Pennsylvania Ballet II, Northeast High School students, Jasmin Yahne School of Dance and students from the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Northeast High School, 1601 Cottman Ave. Register online at www.paballet.org/northeast-high-community-performance-registration. 

The Wissinoming Civic Association will be marching in the annual Mayfair Holmesburg Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will be held Sunday, Nov. 24, starting at noon. Anyone interested in joining the civic on their route is asked to contact the group through its Facebook page or email [email protected]. 

The civic association’s next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m. at Crossroads Community Church, 4706 Comly St. ••