The Fox Chase Homeowners listened to a presentation about upcoming improvements to the Pine Road Bridge over Pennypack Creek.
Michael Urban, a bridge engineer with Gannett Fleming, said the bridge was constructed in 1977, and is deteriorating. The proposal is to replace the deck, sidewalk, barriers and steel beams. The sidewalk would expand from 6 feet to 9 feet.
The 20-ton weight restriction would be removed. Construction would go from March to November 2024, with detours from May to September.
The new bridge will last for 75 years.
In other news from the May 11 meeting:
• Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, discussed the May 8 murder outside Chuck’s Alibi. He said two women were arguing, possibly over a murdered ex-boyfriend. The shooter was sitting in the front passenger seat, with the victim at close range. Police made an arrest on the scene, as they were already there due to complaints of noise and parking at Chuck’s. An officer’s body cam caught the shooting on film. Mroz and Capt. Jim Kimrey will meet with the new owner of Chuck’s.
Joe Staszak, community relations officer in the 7th district, urged people to lock their car doors to prevent thefts. Staszak announced the arrests of a man wanted for four commercial burglaries and a man who was burglarizing Neli’s Deli, in Somerton. That man is suspected in four other jobs. The CRO said tickets are being issued for trucks parked illegally. The Chick-fil-A at Byberry Road and Roosevelt Boulevard will open May 24.
• Wilmary Santiago-Diaz and her lawyer sought a variance to open a hair and nail salon in a rear garage of a single-family home owned by her boyfriend on the 700 block of Hoffnagle St. The salon would be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no signage. Santiago-Diaz, who has an existing shop in Feasterville, would see up to 10 clients a day, and was open to accepting a temporary variance. Neighbors signed a petition in support. However, FCHA members suggested she open in a vacant storefront. New FCHA president Kate Friend read from the bylaws that the group opposes commercialization of residential properties. A hearing in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment is June 8.
• Lawnview Cemetery, 500 Huntingdon Pike in Rockledge, will hold a Memorial Day service at its war memorial on Monday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m.
• City Councilman Brian O’Neill will host a shredding event on Saturday, May 21, from 9-11 a.m. at his district office at 432 Rhawn St. (behind American Heritage). O’Neill will hold a recycle bucket giveaway on Saturday, June 4, from 9-11 a.m. at his district office at 11630 Caroline Road (FOP Lodge 5).
• St. Stephen Orthodox Cathedral, 8598 Verree Road, invites the community to an all-ages Penny Party on Saturday, June 4. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Calling starts about 7 p.m. Admission is $5, which includes homemade desserts, coffee and tea. Hot dogs and snacks will be available for sale, and there will be prizes and raffle baskets.
• Fox Chase Homeowners Association will meet on Wednesday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. at American Legion Loudenslager Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. The guest speaker will be Besie Katz, principal of Politz Hebrew Academy. She will discuss the school’s gift of the property at 8450 Pine Road, which is zoned residential. ••
