State Rep. Jared Solomon provided an update on proposed changes to Castor Avenue, from Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenue, at the Take Back Your Neighborhood meeting.
After listening to suggestions, Solomon said the new proposal will not include a median, which was strongly opposed by residents.
Solomon said Castor Avenue will go from four lanes to two, with left-hand turn lanes, like nearby Algon Avenue.
As for Castor Avenue in general, Solomon said he wants to add lighting, make it more appealing, fix the sidewalks and make it safer for motorists and pedestrians.
The $14 million project is being funded with city, state and federal funds.
Solomon is planning a meeting to provide more details, adding that he will not compromise on safety.
On another matter, Solomon said he met with Capt. Scott DiDonato, commander of the 2nd Police District, to increase presence on the 7200 block of Horrocks St., the 6700 block of Eastwood St., the 6700 block of Akron St. and the 1600 block of Magee Ave., all of which have problems of varying kinds.
Solomon also wants to pass legislation allowing Philadelphia to hire retired police officers for three years, assigning them across the city, not just to Kensington. Solomon said every other county in the state is permitted to hire retired officers.
Solomon is also backing legislation similar to a new law in New York state. The measure would prohibit motorists and repair shops from illegally modifying mufflers and exhaust systems to make them excessively noisy.
Solomon also wants a law that would create a list of property owners and their address, phone number and email address.
In other news from the June 17 meeting:
• Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, said there were seven illegal car washes surrounding Max Myers Recreation Center during the May meeting. At the June meeting, there were none. Mroz said police and the city Department of Licenses and Inspections have been warning operators of illegal car washes, then fining them. Recently, some $20,000 in equipment was seized from four operators, two of whom had no ID. A translator accompanied police and L&I.
Mroz said he will continue to monitor illegal food vendors. He saw a vendor cooking in the street recently near Borbeck Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. Mroz told the man to move, but he did not understand English. Mroz got him to move by holding up his handcuffs.
Mroz said there are 15 illegal vendors at the shopping center at 4640 Roosevelt Blvd.
Mroz told the crowd of an extreme hoarding situation inside and outside a property on the 6800 block of Large St. The resident was taken to Friends Hospital, and the Community Life Improvement Program cleaned the exterior. Mroz tried to go inside to feed the cat, but couldn’t open the door all the way because there was so much debris near the inside of the front door.
Mroz has also been dealing with a homeless encampment on the 7900 block of Roosevelt Blvd. and shopping carts taken from stores and left on sidewalks.
• Christian Crespo, communications and outreach manager at the Department of Revenue, encouraged residents to go to property.phila.gov and enter their address to make sure they are registered for the Homestead Exemption and to see property tax valuations.
• Rep. Jared Solomon will hold a community safety day on Thursday, July 11, from 4-6 p.m. at Roosevelt Playground, 6455 Walker St.
• The 2nd and 7th police districts will hold a community bike ride on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 5 p.m. outside Fox Chase Elementary School, 500 Rhawn St. All riders will be entered in a drawing for a new bike. The ride will precede National Night Out.
• Mural Arts Philadelphia is inviting the community to give input on a mural coming to the Northeast Services Hub, at Castor Avenue and Hellerman Street. Fill out a survey at linktr.ee/phillynsh.
• Take Back Your Neighborhood will meet on Monday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Max Myers Recreation Center, 1601 Hellerman St. ••
