Andrew Simpson, of the city Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability, spoke at last week’s meeting of the Greater Bustleton Civic League.
Simpson said upcoming changes to Verree Road will include repaving, buffered bike lanes in both directions and plastic posts in the median to discourage impatient speeding drivers from passing other motorists.
Simpson said the city, PennDOT and SEPTA are accepting feedback about possible changes to Roosevelt Boulevard through Feb. 7. The survey can be found at https://bit.ly/4iqBuEH.
Long-term proposals include a partially capped expressway with four inner lanes and a 50 mph limit and four outer lanes and a 25 mph limit. Another option is a neighborhood boulevard, with four inner lanes and four outer lanes, all with a 25 mph limit.
In addition, there are proposals that could lead to bus rapid transit, light rail transit or a subway.
Some people said there are no changes needed on the Boulevard. One woman asked people to join the Facebook group Stop the B.S., which argues that a subway is unnecessary, would cause massive traffic delays for at least a decade during construction and would be a waste of taxpayer money.
More information is available at Bit.Ly/RooseveltBoulevard
In other news from the Jan. 28 meeting:
• Stephanie Hoffer Robinson, a longtime employee at the Pennypack Environmental Center, spoke of programs at the center, 8600A Verree Road (at Bloomfield Avenue). Robinson encouraged people to follow the center’s pages on Facebook and Instagram or call 215-685-0470. She added that students can complete required community service hours at the center.
• Ian Shumard, of the city Department of Revenue, said people can go to property.phila.gov, type in their address and use the drop-down under “Select exemption” to determine their 2025 real estate taxes. Shumard said the homestead exemption is open to all owner-occupants of homes, but, incredibly, about 80,000 homeowners have not enrolled.
• Al Fiorentino, community relations officer in the 7th Police District, said faraday bags are available at the district, 1701 Bowler St. Faraday bags are made with materials that, among other things, help prevent car thefts by blocking the signal from your key fob so that thieves can’t pick it up. Car owners place their keys in the bags at home so thieves cannot take advantage of the push-button start option to steal the vehicle.
• Among those on hand were representatives of City Councilman Brian O’Neill, state Rep. Sean Dougherty, Register of Wills John Sabatina and City Controller Christy Brady.
Viktor Kagan, chief of staff for Dougherty, said the new lawmaker’s office is at 7801 Hasbrook Ave.
Jill Henon, of Brady’s office, said people can sign up for Brady’s newsletter at controller.phila.gov. Henon also mentioned a government open house on Feb. 12, from 5-7 p.m., at the satellite election office at 1619 Grant Ave. (next to Randi’s).
• Tom Campion is manager of the Neighborhood Community Action Center at Officer Robert Hayes Memorial Playground, 9850 Roosevelt Blvd. Campion said a grand opening will take place on Friday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m. Mayor Cherelle Parker is expected to attend. The center will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Greater Bustleton Civic League will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. at American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road. Meineke Car Care, 9909 Northeast Blvd., will make a presentation on adding vehicle sales and rentals to its operation. ••
