Torresdale Ave. Shopper Survey

Historic Tacony Revitalization Project Shopper Survey October 19, 2011

The Historic Tacony Revitalization Project is conducting a market study survey to determine what businesses and shops the Torresdale Avenue Commercial Corridor can support. As a part of the project, please take the shopper survey at: https://sites.google.com/site/taconysurvey/ Your participation helps the market research team better understand the needs and opportunities for the Torresdale Avenue Commercial Corridor. Thank you for your participation.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, Oct. 29.

From State Rep. Michael McGeehan:

Don’t flush away unwanted prescription drugs

The old practice of flushing expired old or unneeded prescription drugs down the toilet is now strongly discouraged since it was found many drugs survive the process and make it into our rivers, and even into drinking water.

And drugs thrown into the garbage could end up in the hands of children and trash pickers.

Now is a great time to go through the medicine cabinet and gather your unwanted or expired prescription drugs in preparation for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, Oct. 29.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day, the Philadelphia Police Department will have drop-off points for old prescription drugs at many fire stations throughout the city.

In and about the 173rd Legislative District, there will be four fire station drop-off sites:

Fire Department Engine 7/Ladder 10, 3798 Kensington Avenue

Fire Department Engine 36/Ladder 20, 7818 Frankford Avenue

Fire Department Engine 62/Ladder 34, 9845 Bustleton Avenue

Fire Department Engine 71/Ladder 28, 1900 Cottman Avenue

A complete list of drop-off sites in the Philadelphia region and all of Pennsylvania can be found at http://go.philly.com/takeback. Click on "Start Over," then enter the municipality and the state it is in.

Applications for Corridor Manager Now Being Accepted

The Tacony Community Development Corporation is accept resumes to fill a newly created full-time position with the organization to help revitalize the Torresdale Avenue commercial corridor in the Tacony neighborhood.

The new commercial corridor manager will work with the Board of Directors of the TCDC and volunteer committees/teams to help organize the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project to revitalize Torresdale and Longshore Avenues in the Tacony neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia.

The job description is available here.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, references, writing sample and a resume as described in the job description noted above, before 5PM on November 15, 2011.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $45,000 to $65,000.

Historic Tacony Revitalization Project is on Facebook

The Historic Tacony Revitalization Project, which will be working to revitalize Torresdale Avenue, is on Facebook.

We hope to see you at the meeting on Monday.

Mon 17 Oct 2011 - Historic Tacony Revitalization Project KICK OFF MEETING

You are invited!

Historic Tacony Revitalization Project
KICK OFF MEETING

Monday October 17, 2011

5:30-8PM

Tacony Branch of the Free Library Basement Meeting Room

Philadelphia at 6742 Torresdale Avenue (at Knorr Street) in Philadelphia PA 19135

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss why the Tacony Community Development Corporation (TCDC) is launching the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project now and what they hope to achieve in the next few years. Peter Naccarato, the Board President of the Tacony CDC will also discuss the role of the Retail Market Analysis study being conducted now, and the process the organization will undertake to hire a full time employee this fall to manage the commercial district revitalization work.

After Mr. Naccarato speaks, Donna Ann Harris, principal of Heritage Consulting Inc., a consultant to the Tacony Community Development Corporation will give a twenty minute presentation on “An Introduction to Commercial District Revitalization.” After the presentation, Ms. Harris will facilitate a series of small group discussions where neighbors can identify their major issues and concerns about the Torresdale Avenue commercial district that they wish to see changed. The small groups will present their ideas and Ms. Harris will describe how these concerns fit within the Main Street Four Point Approach™. Small group participants will be encouraged to identify projects to solve some of these problems that might interest them from these lists. The next meeting date will be determined to create committees to move the revitalization effort forward.

All area residents, merchants and property owners are encouraged to attend this kick off meeting for the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project. To learn more about this effort see the back side of this flyer.

Let us know if you plan to attend!

Please RSVP to Donna Ann Harris at 267 251 5444 or send an email to historictaconyrevitalization@gmail.com by Friday October 14, 2011 so we know how many people to expect!
Historic Tacony Revitalization Project Fact Sheet

What is the Main Street Approach™ to commercial district revitalization?
In recent decades, multiple approaches to commercial district revitalization, from urban renewal to highly-publicized, big-fix redevelopment projects, have failed because they focused on just one or two discreet issues, rather than addressing the full range of inter-related issues that affect each individual commercial district. The Main Street Approach™ is a volunteer driven, historic preservation based economic development program. The Main Street Approach™ works at the local level with community volunteers to help revitalize a commercial corridor. The Historic Tacony Revitalization Project will use the Main Street Four Point Approach™ to organize our efforts.

What is the purpose of the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project?
All local Main Street programs aim to maximize the economic potential of each historic commercial district while preserving its distinct sense of place.

Who is leading this effort for Tacony?
The Tacony Community Development Corporation is spearheading the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project.

What are the benefits of revitalization?
Revitalization generates new reinvestment. Private investment in businesses and commercial properties, and public investment in infrastructure create economic benefits for the entire district. Revitalization supports business growth and job creation. Viable commercial districts provide places for entrepreneurs to succeed, increasing the viability and vitality of the commercial area. Revitalization supports economic growth throughout the community. Downtowns and local districts project the community’s image to visitors and potential investors. Healthy commercial districts reflect a community that cares. Revitalization provides local focus and stability. Economically strong commercial districts serve as an anchor for the community and represent consistent economic growth.

Why should we revitalize the Torresdale Avenue commercial corridor?
Commercial corridors and neighborhood business districts represent jobs and revenues—both vary from community to community, and sometimes represent as much as 30% of local jobs and revenue sources. These commercial districts define the local identity and reflect that community’s history and ‘sense of place.’ Torresdale Avenue, like many other commercial corridors in Philadelphia that are using the Main Street Approach, can become the hub and heart of Tacony once again.

How can local residents become involved?
Your help is needed by becoming involved as a volunteer with Historic Tacony Revitalization project’s Four Teams: Organization; Promotion; Design; and Economic Restructuring. These teams will develop projects to help the corridor. Please give us your contact information to be invited our meetings and so we can keep in touch.

Whom do we contact to learn more?
Donna Ann Harris is helping the Tacony Community Development Corporation organize the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project. Reach her at 267 251 5444 or email at historictaconyrevitalization@gmail.com

Flea Market - Saturday, October 8th

If you are looking for something fun to do on Saturday, OCTOBER 8th, come on out for our Tacony Flea Market. There will be over 40 vendors with a few hundred people expected to walk through.

8am-2pm

Food vendor and restroom facilities will be available onsite.

Sellers
If you want to have a $10 space (you provide your own table), no are reservations needed. Set up time is 6am to 7am. Location in Disston park on Keystone Street at Longshore Ave. $10 will be collected in the morning.

For more information or to rent a space, please contact the TCA at 215-338-2575 or email us at taconycivic@yahoo.com