The Northwood Civic Association last week discussed the proposed city district health center at Friends Hospital.
The city plans to build health centers at Friends and Frankford Avenue and Pratt Street – just 1.4 miles apart – because of the long wait for appointments at the center at 2230 Cottman Ave.
Northwood Civic does not dispute the need for another center or two, but has a number of issues with the Friends site, which would see an estimated 31,300 people per year.
Terry Heiser, vice president of the civic association, outlined the history of the case, starting when the Philadelphia Historical Commission voted to demolish the 175-year-old Lawnside building. Both Lawnside, a former superintendent’s residence, and Friends are designated national historic landmarks.
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, St. James Lutheran Church, the Historical Society of Frankford and St. Mark’s Church Frankford also oppose demolition of Lawnside.
After an appeal, the city Board of Licenses and Inspections Review voted 7-4 to affirm the historical commission’s vote to demolish Lawnside.
Opponents appealed to the Court of Common Pleas, but Judge Sierra Thomas Street granted a motion by the law firm Ballard Spahr to quash the appeal.
Attorney Sam Stretton is representing those challenging the Lawnside demolition, and the matter will be heard in Commonwealth Court.
Meanwhile, City Council – led by Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada – voted to change the zoning at Friends from single-family residential to civic, educational and medical, allowing construction of a new health center. Mayor Cherelle Parker signed the bill.
Opponents of the Friends site believe a health center will disrupt the serenity of the campus. They also note the challenge of patients crossing 12 lanes of speeding traffic on Roosevelt Boulevard to get to the site.
In addition, Native American artifacts such as arrowheads and tools have been found on the Friends site, and there is a call for an archaeology survey and excavation.
Plans for a center at Frankford and Pratt, across from the Frankford Transportation Center, have inexplicably been delayed for a decade or so. That site is supposed to handle 5,000 people per year.
Opponents of the Friends site believe the Frankford and Pratt site can be expanded, with the city buying the lot at the closed-down Walgreens nearby for parking. Moreover, they say, clients would easily be able to get to Frankford and Pratt via public transportation.
One man at the meeting angrily accused Northwood Civic members of being “inhumane” for opposing the Friends site. He called them “privileged people” before leaving.
Resident Debbie Klak said neighborhoods like Juniata should not be able to have a say in putting a health center in Northwood.
Mari Carrasquillo, president of Northwood Civic, suggested putting the center behind the Juniata Golf Club, though that location might not be convenient for public transportation.
In other news from the July 16 meeting:
• State Rep. Joe Hohenstein said he was happy that the recently enacted budget includes more than $1 billion in new education funding. He was also pleased with more funding for home and community-based service providers, including money to increase the pay of direct support caretakers. He pushed for money for a pilot program for disability-inclusive curriculum in kindergarten through 12th grade, and the budget included $300,000 for the program. He also favored language regulating pharmacy benefit managers to help small pharmacies deal with higher drug costs.
Hohenstein was not happy that SEPTA received only $50 million, less than one-third of what he said the agency needs.
• The civic association will hold its third annual Cena en Blanc on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 5-10 p.m., in Northwood Park, at Castor Avenue and Arrott Street. The theme will be The Great Gatsby. Guests are required to wear all white clothing. There will be a DJ, dancing, raffles, food trucks and an appearance by the 15th Police District. Guests can also bring their own food. The cost is $20 per couple, $30 per family or $50 for parties over five. Call civic president Mari Carrasquillo at 267-231-8165 or Lakiesha at 267-834-4405.
• Capt. Marques Newsome, commander of the 15th Police District, will hold a town hall meeting on Thursday, July 25, at 7 p.m. at Bridesburg Recreation Center, 4601 Richmond St.
• The 15th Police District Advisory Council will meet on Monday, July 29, at 7 p.m. at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent St.
• The civic group will be going to the Phillies game on Thursday, Aug. 15, vs. the Washington Nationals. Tickets, in the 300 Level in the outfield, are $32. Fans 21 and over receive a floppy hat.
• Northwood Civic Association will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. ••
