South of South Neighborhood Association (SOSNA) and Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC)
Minutes of a Special Meeting
July 23, 2003, 7:30 p.m., Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17^th and Fitzwater

 A record of attendees is on file at the SOSNA office.

SOSNA chairperson Angela Richardson called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m., and introduced the speakers: Abdur-Rahim Islam, President, Earl Pace, Executive Vice President, Real Estate Development, Stanley Perry, Project Manager, 17^th and Carpenter and Lola Sergeant, Project Manager, Bainbridge West project, Universal Companies; Michael Koontz, Redevelopment Authority; Kathleen Murray, City Council President Anna C. Verna’s office.

Richardson also explained the rules for the well-attended meeting. Because of the number of people present, individuals would be permitted one question and one follow-up question.

Islam set the Bainbridge West development project in the context of Universal’s other community service activities in four South Philadelphia neighborhoods: affordable housing, charter school, public school management, workforce development and training, business support center, social services, real estate and economic development. These activities were also outlined in a handout available at the door.

Perry explained the 17^th and Carpenter project, to be jointly developed by Universal and SOSNA. A total of 24 affordable housing units would be built in an area focused on the intersection of 17^th and Carpenter. Site plans and elevations for this development had previously been presented at a fall 2002 SOSNA general meeting. The houses are expected to sell in the range of $150,000, a price that will be set by the City, and are available to families earning 80% of median income.

Sergeant explained that the goal of the Bainbridge West project is to address blight in the area from 15^th to 17^th Streets, and from Bainbridge to Carpenter Streets, through the construction of 85 market rate units. These will be a combination of new construction on vacant lots and rehabs of existing buildings, acquired through a combination of condemnation and private acquisition. Currently Universal is looking at 59 properties; 35 are to be acquired via condemnation and the balance via private acquisition. Development planning will begin in fall 2003 and continue over a two- to three-year period. In the design-development phase, Universal seeks to complement the existing facades, preserving as many of the unique architectural features as possible while providing contemporary amenities, features that will be attractive to a broad cross-section of potential buyers. She stressed that Universal is only seeking 35 properties via condemnation out of a total of 286 possible candidates for acquisition.

Questions from the floor included the following:

• How was Universal chosen to run the schools?
  Universal was chosen through a competitive process
• How is Universal marketing to communities?
  The marketing will include leaflets, fliers, advertising, realtors
• What happens to condemnation of properties purchased within the past two years?
  Properties that are demonstrably under development and properties that were purchased between January 1, 2002 – May 15, 2003 will not be condemned as long as their owners are making normal progress toward redevelopment
• Is Universal seeking condemnations outside the Bainbridge West boundaries noted above?
  No.
• What is Universal’s or the City’s plan for removing disorderly tenants from PHA properties?
  [I did not record the answer to this and would appreciate help]
• Why is Universal not building more affordable housing?
  Universal and SOSNA together have already built more than 200 units of affordable housing in the SOSNA service area; future construction of affordable housing will take place in the 36^th Ward
• What is the projected sales price of these homes?
  $275,000-$300,000
• Will Universal staff be purchasing these houses?
  There is interest on the part of some staff in purchasing Bainbridge West houses
• Why are you taking my property (80x South 17^th Street)? I purchased it within the appropriate time period?
  Islam declined to discuss specifics of this property at the meeting.
• What about Universal’s tax delinquencies?
  Islam maintains that there are no tax delinquencies; a review of the Hallwatch data on which this questioner based her allegation reveals a number of anomalies that suggest that the fault may lie with the data.
• What does Universal propose to do about undesirables at 12^th and Bainbridge?
  This has historically been a blighted neighborhood; Universal is working with social service agencies and police as well as rebuilding housing to make the neighborhood more desirable.
• How will Universal make sure that the houses are marketed fairly with respect to age, ethnicity, religious or gender preference?
  Universal will work with SOSNA and with realtors.
• Will Universal cooperate with realtors and pay them commissions?
  Yes.

Chairperson Richardson concluded the meeting by explaining SOSNA’s background and its function within the guidelines of the Office of Housing and Community Development: to serve low- and moderate-income residents; to take action to mitigate slums and blight; and to address development issues of an urgent nature. Noting that some people seem to be afraid of affordable housing, she commented, "we built affordable housing already and you moved into the neighborhood anyway." She thanked participants and attendees for coming.

Respectfully submitted,
Laura Blanchard

HOME | WHAT IS SOSNA? | HOUSING COUNSELING | THRIFT SHOP | SIGN UP | PLANNING | NEWS

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.