South of South Neighborhood Association (SOSNA) and Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC)

General Public Meeting

Wednesday, February 12, 2003, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Marian Anderson Recreation Center - 17th and Fitzwater

A sign-in book with a list of those people attending is maintained at the SOSNA office at 1711 South Street.

Chair Angela Richardson convened the meeting at 7:37 p.m..

1. Election Announcement. Angela Richardson read the announcement of nominations and elections. This announcement was circulated as part of the meeting announcement flyer and is incorporated by reference.
   
2. January minutes. Upon motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously carried, the minutes of the January 8, 2003 general meeting were approved as circulated.
   
3. NAC Director Report. Eve Lewis advised of an upcoming heart screening program, a Marian Anderson birthday celebration scheduled for February 16 sponsored by the Marian Anderson Historical Society, and the forthcoming meeting of SOSNA’s gardens, parks and open spaces committee in conjunction with the neighborhood strategic planning process.
   
4. Brandywine Workshop/Neighborhood Tourism. Allen Edmunds of the Brandywine Workshop reported on efforts to highlight the Broad-to-17^th Street area as one rich in history as an arts and culture center under the name of Jubilee Village. He spoke of potential collaborations with the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation.
   
5. Other Tourism Possibilities. Alan Mandel reported on other historical tourism tie-ins, including those relating to the Royal Theater, Marian Anderson, Julian Abele, and W. E. B. DuBois.
   
6. Naval Home. Angela Richardson reported on the special community meeting held the previous evening (a report on which is incorporated by reference) concerning the arson on this National Historic Landmark and its impact on the community. There was some discussion of the geographic limitations that should or should not be placed on a working group or task force to represent the community’s concern that the site be developed with sensitivity to the buildings’ historic significance. Any individuals interested in being part of such a committee were encouraged to sign up on the sheets provided at the meeting. In response to questions from the floor from residents more than five blocks away from the site, Angela Richardson and Eve Lewis reiterated SOSNA’s commitment to keeping residents fully informed of progress on the Naval Home, irrespective of their proximity to the site.
   
7. Stanton School. Tacuma Bethea of the Save the Stanton School Committee reported on parents’ and area residents’ concerns that the contemplated closing of this school would be detrimental to students who might be forced to cross a busy industrial corridor in order to attend another school. Residents are urged to write to City Council President Verna and School District Chief Paul Vallas in support of Stanton School, and to drop off letters of support at Bainbridge House, 1520 Christian Street. The coalition meets weekly to develop a feasibility study in order to keep the Stanton School open.
   
8. First African Baptist Church/South Street Renaissance Black History Events. Kim Harold Brown and Hazelita Fauntroy announced three events the weekend of February 21-23 in celebration of black history month – a Marian Anderson birthday celebration, a Black Academics Olympic history competition, and a Bivians Heritage Awards event. All events will take place at First African Baptist Church, 16^th and Christian Street.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Laura Blanchard for the secretary

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SOSNA is the Neighborhood Advisory Committee for the area from South Street to Washington Avenue, Broad Street West to the Schuylkill River, funded by the Office of Housing and Community Development to provide citizen input into their redevelopment process in our community. SOSNA is a registered nonprofit corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Site contents copyright SOSNA except where indicated.