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Roxborough/Manyunk

Roxborough/Manyunk

Tell us about your hidden gems, eyesores

In only two short months since I became managing editor of www.PlanPhilly.com, I have had at least a dozen wonderful moments of discovery while working the waterfront.
Despite two decades of experience as a local editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer, these recent surprises introduced me to unique people, places and things I didn't know existed along the Central Delaware riverfront.
For instance, I explored a behemoth Catholic elementary school in Kensington, bought pierogies in Port Richmond, stood on old piers in South Philadelphia, finally discovered two jewels: Independence Seaport Museum and Penn Treaty Park, figured out what the Sparks Shot Tower was all about, saw the SS United States up close, learned about the archeology of I-95 in Old City ... the list goes on and on.
With that in mind, I'd like to invite all the visitors to this site to let me know about hidden gems, neat finds, even eyesores, in your community. 
We are compiling a list of points of interest by neighborhood on PlanPhilly and we need your help in identifying interesting and newsworthy places that only may be known by the local citizenry.
Think of it as design and planning detective work and join the hunt. Email me your favorite finds, photos are welcome, at mgolas@pobox.upenn.edu.

Thanks in advance,

Matt Golas  

   

    Values consolidation under way

    Some values from Queen Village
    Some values from Queen Village



    In January, there will be a consolidation of citizens' core neighborhood and waterfront values identified in three public sessions in December.

    The values from the forums are listed below. They will be distilled down to seven or eight primary values:

    The main consolidated “values” from the Dec. 14 session at Penn's Landing were:

    • Walk-ability - green space, the human scale, to walk without interruption, satellite parking
    • Safety - people on street, lighting, police protection, no slots barns
    • Ecological protection - green space, sewage, runoff control, green LEED construction.
    • Big Sky - green space vision, broad sight lines, public access to river’s edge, low lying buildings, density, open space
    • Diversity - cultural, economic, generational, ethnic, activity, occupational, business, ecological.
    • Historic preservation - our past.
    • River itself - recreation, industry, open space, drinking water, touch-ability, contemplation, history, dredging, no dredging
    • Integration of river with rest of the city.
    • Community – civic engagement.
    • Tension between the working river and pretty "playing" river.

    “One of the most interesting things I heard was the organic relationship between the river and the land exemplified by the people who work on the river in boats,” said Ryan Berley of Old City.

    The main "values" or takeaways from the Dec. 12 event in South Philadelphia were:

    • Valuing green space, open space
    • Sustaining the industrial port
    • Quality jobs on the waterfront are the economic engine for the city
    • Safety comes with traffic control, crime control, no fear, public transit
    • Sense of community that starts in the neighborhoods
    • Neighborhoods protect and enhance community as a whole
    • Protect the history, the traditions, the Mummers Parade
    • How schools and churches fit into the waterfront as icons
    • Appreciate the diversity of economics, ethnicity, culture in our neighborhoods
    • Get our arms around the long-term solutions vs. short term solutions

     

    Finally, listed below are the values that were established during the first engagement forum, Dec. 11, in the Kensington-Port Richmond section of the city:

    • Safety - children can play outside, you can walk in the neighborhood
    • Family values - small businesses that thrive, places to worship, locally owned businesses.
    • Easy access - you can walk or bike or bus to it.
    • Diversity - ethnic, lifestyle, multi-generational, economic, diversity of uses, architecture.
    • Open space and green space - public spaces, playing spaces.
    • History - existing neighborhoods, old buildings, old architecture. Historic identities.
    • Jobs - river related and ports related jobs. Jobs for youth.
    • Green technology - work with the environment.
    • The plan - looking for something that protects the values already mentioned.
    • Recreation - using water and land where they meet. Recreation for families.
    • Affordable housing - for seniors.

     

      Roxborough/Manayunk

      Roxborough/Manayunk - Planning District H

       

      http://www.manayunkcouncil.org/links.html
      http://www.crca.us/


      Council Districts: (4) Curtis Jones, Jr.

      Neighborhoods include:

      Roxborough
      Manayunk

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