Take Back Your Neighborhood last week welcomed the 2nd Police District and the Register of Wills office, while also discussing proposed changes to Castor Avenue.
The 2nd district was represented by Capt. Scott DiDonato and community relations officer Mark Mros. They spoke of declines in robberies, property crime and stolen cars.
DiDonato said the district is also targeting aggressive drivers, especially since some motorists are avoiding Roosevelt Boulevard’s red light cameras and speed cameras and riding on roads in the 2nd.
The district has also been shutting down illegal vendors, most of whom are selling food, though one was selling lawn mowers.
Meanwhile, April Street and Kayla Brown represented the Register of Wills office. They spoke of wills, power of attorney, living wills (medical directives) and executors. Call 215-686-6250 or visit phila.gov/wills.
Eileen Teti, a local resident and beauty salon owner, spoke in support of the proposal to convert Castor Avenue from four lanes of traffic to three, with left-turn lanes, a painted median and bike lanes. State Rep. Jared Solomon supports the project, but Take Back Your Neighborhood opposes the so-called “road diet.”
Teti said she supports the plan because it would make Castor Avenue more pedestrian friendly and will beautify the corridor. She likes the left-turn proposals, especially at the busy intersection at Cottman Avenue.
TBYN supports some parts of the project, including curb and sidewalk repairs, street trees and pedestrian lighting.
While members believe Solomon and other supporters of the plan want what’s best for the neighborhood, they agree that, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
The civic does not want to eliminate a lane of traffic each way because of increasing population and what police say are motorists avoiding the Boulevard to drive on roads in the 2nd District.
TBYN says roads with just one lane of traffic lead to congestion, pointing to Tyson Avenue, Levick Street and Devereaux Avenue.
Robert Rudnitsky, president of TBYN, said another commercial corridor with one-lane traffic, Rising Sun Avenue, “blows.”
Residents also expressed concerns about double parking, additional traffic on side streets, the harm to businesses during the lengthy construction and project details not shared with the community before the plan was announced publicly.
A better idea, members say, would be to have a left-turn arrow, but maintain four lanes of traffic.
Take Back Your Neighborhood will meet on Monday, Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Max Myers Recreation Center, 1601 Hellerman St. Attendees are asked to bring food to share for a holiday party that night. ••
