The Burholme Civic Association last week heard a police update and discussed the name change of Woodrow Wilson Middle School and a planned apartment building.
Capt. Jim Kimrey, commander of the 2nd Police District, spoke about recent robberies of ATM customers and two murders.
One of the murders took place at the Hill Creek housing project, while the other happened outside Chuck’s Alibi.
Officers were on the scene in the early-morning hours of May 8 outside Chuck’s Alibi due to past complaints about noise and parking and social media posts about a party. They saw a woman on Oxford Avenue arguing with another woman in the front passenger seat of a car, figuring it was a “cat fight” until the passenger shot the other woman. She’s been charged with third-degree murder. The argument was believed to be about a murdered ex-boyfriend.
As for some good news, Kimrey said a bicycle officer patrolling Castor Avenue has helped lower the number of gunpoint robberies.
Longtime resident Nancy Ostroff complained that the School District of Philadelphia did not publicize its process to change the name of Woodrow Wilson Middle School to Castor Gardens Middle School.
“They never came to not one civic association meeting,” Ostroff said.
The civic association reiterated its opposition to a planned 52-unit apartment complex at 7248 Rising Sun Ave. Members cite parking and traffic issues.
A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for June 1, but civic attorney Harry Cook plans to ask for a continuance, based on word that the property owner might alter his proposal. Dillon Mahoney, the new zoning counsel for City Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, said he has heard that the continuance will likely be granted.
Parker and Chase’s Hop Shop have joined the civic association in appealing the decision by the Department of Licenses and Inspections to give the developer permits. ••
