McCall School Seeks Alumni
McCall is having a "Big Birthday"--100 years! In celebration of this great event a Centennial party is planned for Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the National Liberty Museum.
They are in the process of reaching out to McCall Alum or those who may know former McCall students. Those interested in the event may contact them at 100years@meetingmccall.com
Big Changes for Joe's Coffee House
Joe the coffee house at 1100 Walnut is closing, but happily for us they are moving in another direction. At the Head House Farmers' Market, 2nd Street between Pine & Lombard on Sundays, beginning May 3rd, they'll be selling their 100% organic, fair trade roasted coffee beans. Their internet store will still operate at www.joecoffeebar.com. Plus local coffee bars all around town will be serving their coffee. WSWCA wishes Joe the best of luck in his new endeavers, and thanks him for the service that he has provided to the neighborhood these seven years. Tentative final date: Wednesday, May 27, 2009.
Portico Row Spring Fair
Portico Row will be holding it's annual Spring Fair on May 9th on 10th Street between Spruce and Locust.
Date Confirmation: Seger Park Spring Festival
The Second Annual Spring Festival is scheduled for SUNDAY, May 17th from 11am-3pm at Seger Park Playground, located on Lombard Street between 10th and 11th Streets in Center City Philadelphia. The rain date will be May 24th, same time same place. For more info email segerparkplayground@gmail.com
Water Dept. Message
The PWD has sent us a letter with some clarification and some answers to a few questions they have received regarding Wash West flooding. We have copied most of the letter below.
There is "nothing new to report" as we are still in the process of setting up meetings with the civic and businesses associated with the Washington Avenue neighborhood. However, I did want to answer a few questions.
1. Is any of the flooding in Wash West taking place outside the context of properties with sinks, toilets, drains, etc. in basements or other subterranean rooms? If so, how many and what is your best guess as to why they flood,given that this neighborhood does not have a history of flooding in buildings without plumbing fixtures (toilets, etc.) below ground?
As we've shared during our presentations, the properties that experience sewage backups during intense rain storms ( rain that falls at a rate of 1 inch of rain in 15 minutes, 2 inches within an hour) generally share some common characteristics:
* their property/block is draining into a system that cannot convey the volume of stormwater in the sewer, and therefore is backing up into the property
* the elevation of their basement floor is similar/slightly above the elevation of the sewer in the street
* their basement or below grade floor has plumbing fixtures, e.g., floor drains, utility sinks, toilets, that provide an outlet for the backup in their sewer lateral
We have received approximately 5,000 complaints from properties in Northern Liberties, Washington Square West and neighborhoods in South Philadelphia. These properties, as most in the city, have one or many plumbing fixtures in their basement level (think washers, dryers, floor drains).
2. Debra McCarty, Deputy Commissioner of the Phila. Water Dept., has said that anyone in this neighborhood who wanted to put a toilet in their basement would have to install an upflush toilet to meet the city code requirement that the toilet drain properly. If so, when, if ever, did the City become responsible for fixing the plumbing problems of properties that violate the city code?
The properties that have experienced sewage backups are not properties that are pumping into the sewer. The property's lateral cannot drain into the sewer in the street when the sewer is full to capacity during these intense rain storms. Therefore, sewage backs up the lateral through a plumbing fixture in the basement which is at the lowest elevation in relation to the floor (floor drain before utility sink). These plumbing fixtures have been properly installed and meet the City's Plumbing Code.
3. How does the PWD respond to the letter it received from John Gallery, Executive Director of the Preservation Alliance, pointing out that it would take years to collect the clearances to permit such a project to take place in an area with so much legal protection due to the historic character of the buildings and the neighborhood as a whole?
The Water Department, under general ordinance, has the authority to install water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure in public streets to provide the services required to protect public health and safety. With this authority comes an obligation to evaluate the impact of our proposed construction on streets, sidewalks, other utilities and properties. Permits are not required for this work. However, we perform this obligation with a due diligence to lessen the impacts of needed construction to the best of our ability.
I hope this is helpful.
Joanne, PWD
Wash West Crime Report
The below incidents in the Wash. Sq. West area were recently reported to the 6th District:
(REPORT) On Saturday, 04/18/09, 1:30 AM, complainant was in the 1200 block Locust St., someone bumped into him and seconds later he discovered his wallet missing, no description of offender(s).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment