"Germantown's obvious, yet elusive, potential" (Erie, Bethlehem: apartments, lease)

[Hillrunner]

Originally Posted by phillies2011

i told you in so many words to go freeze to death in Antarctica. Not sure what you thought was warm and friendly about it. Maybe the sarcastic "enjoy" at the end?

I know it can be hard to tell online, but I suggest you brush up on "satire" and "sarcasm".

Good luck!

No you told a presumed white poster to go" freeze to death in Antarctica". I would suggest that you brush up on your metaphors and innuendo. Your "satire" and "sarcasm" in referring to blacks as "animals" and telling someone who may be white and have a different opinion than you to "go freeze to death" speaks volumes to me about your ability to think critically and respond with thought.

I can only assume that it is a product of public schooling.

[tintin19119]

LMAO! I notice the same trend in every forum on the net.There are always a few people who get their kicks by being negative and stirring the pot It`s kind of sad.

[BajanYankee]

Originally Posted by PennKid

Most people more well-versed with Philadelphia will note that Germantown may be largely poor- but its predominant narrative and atmosphere is not that of bombed-out despair in the vein of North Philly, but more of a rough-yet-eclectic-overlooked-neighborhood type. This native resident and acclaimed black blogger describes Germantown's feel with splendid detail:

The Black Man: What’s Wrong With Black Philadelphia? (Part 2) (http://www.thecolorcurve.com/blog/bmbm/the-black-man-whats-wrong-with-black-philadelphia-part-2/ - broken link)

Solid post. I grew up right on the border of the "It's not THAT bad" part of Germantown and the "W.E.B. DuBois/Cosby Show Talented Tenth" part of Germantown. If you ask my mom, we're from Mount Airy (which she says in a very distinguished way), even though our zip code is 19144.

[jennm59]

I lived in West Germantown for a bit, and I agree with some previous posters that I do not think the "architecture" that will change the neighborhood culture. Unfortunately there is a lot of crime in Germantown, and while there are *gorgeous* show-stopping architecture, even along Germantown avenue itself, the culture has just remained relatively stagnant, destructive, and criminal. I think anyone who even drives through will see how much potential is there, how much history is there - it's such a shame.
I am a novice, but it seems to me that the greatest progress in the city happens when you build something where there is relatively *no* existing dominant culture at all - like the abandoned riverfront, or the relatively abandoned factories of northern liberties. Changing a culture is difficult, but creating one is much more effective. A lot would have to change for most of Germantown to shift.

[2e1m5a]

Empty PHA highrise, historic cemetery at center of Germantown dispute


It appears this will continue to be a drawn out process. The archaeological survey of the historic cemetary will be available in late April.

From the article:

Douglas Mooney, president of the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum, said the Queen Lane site was historically important: "With the exception of the potter's field at Washington Square, it may be the oldest African American cemetery in Philadelphia."

[rotodome]

Highlight from the above article:

"Some homeowners object to PHA's plan to have all 55 units reserved as rentals for low-income families. They argue that it would be better for the vibrancy of the surrounding community if some of the units were sold to homeowners, creating a broader income mix.

"The community was blamed for not wanting any public housing tenants in that neighborhood," said Yvonne Haskins, founder of the Germantown United Community Development Corp. "What people have objected to is the concentration of poor people on one block."

Agree with that viewpoint 100%. What's the point of spending all that money to essentially recreate the same concentration of poverty that was a problem before? Anyone familiar with the neighborhood knows that that hirise project was a cancer which negatively impacted that entire part of the neighborhood for a 1-2 block radius in all directions outside of its own superblock.

[2e1m5a]

Originally Posted by rotodome

Highlight from the above article:

"Some homeowners object to PHA's plan to have all 55 units reserved as rentals for low-income families. They argue that it would be better for the vibrancy of the surrounding community if some of the units were sold to homeowners, creating a broader income mix.

"The community was blamed for not wanting any public housing tenants in that neighborhood," said Yvonne Haskins, founder of the Germantown United Community Development Corp. "What people have objected to is the concentration of poor people on one block."

Agree with that viewpoint 100%. What's the point of spending all that money to essentially recreate the same concentration of poverty that was a problem before? Anyone familiar with the neighborhood knows that that hirise project was a cancer which negatively impacted that entire part of the neighborhood for a 1-2 block radius in all directions outside of its own superblock.

I agree as well. I think a good example of mixed income housing is what they did with The PHA site in East Falls along Ridge Ave. They are still very well kept homes and seem to fit into the neighborhood.

[2e1m5a]

I'm excited for the revitalization of Maplewood Mall in the heart of Germantown. Hopefully the $2 Million grant can be stretched not squandered.

For those unaware, Maplewood Mall is a quaint block of shops that has seen better days. It is easy to see it's potential, but help is definitely needed. Current tenants include the oldest health food store in Philadelphia and the internet based G-Town Radio.

Maplewood Mall Makeover, Coming Soon To Germantown | Hidden City Philadelphia

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=19144...220.84,,0,2.31

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

I'm excited for the revitalization of Maplewood Mall in the heart of Germantown. Hopefully the $2 Million grant can be stretched not squandered.

For those unaware, Maplewood Mall is a quaint block of shops that has seen better days. It is easy to see it's potential, but help is definitely needed. Current tenants include the oldest health food store in Philadelphia and the internet based G-Town Radio.

Maplewood Mall Makeover, Coming Soon To Germantown | Hidden City Philadelphia

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=19144...220.84,,0,2.31

It would be great if Maplewood Mall could turn into something better. I think it especially lends itself to low-key niche retail and cafes and dining options with outdoor seating (because even if Chelten Avenue was nicer, it's still high traffic and noisy) - and I read Wired Beans was interested in opening up again around here, so I guess I'm not alone.

But the keys are Germantown and Chelten Avenue and the ability of Germantown to define itself as a TOD city within the city, and it would be best not to forget that in an attempt to revamp a failed artifact of modernist planning. It's already got transit, commercial, retail, residential, light-industrial, and a lot of day-time foot and vehicle traffic. A one block long pedestrian mall can be a nice touch, but is hardly its greatest asset, and I don't see it being a game changer long-term.

[2e1m5a]

Originally Posted by FamousBlueRaincoat

It would be great if Maplewood Mall could turn into something better. I think it especially lends itself to low-key niche retail and cafes and dining options with outdoor seating (because even if Chelten Avenue was nicer, it's still high traffic and noisy) - and I read Wired Beans was interested in opening up again around here, so I guess I'm not alone.

But the keys are Germantown and Chelten Avenue and the ability of Germantown to define itself as a TOD city within the city, and it would be best not to forget that in an attempt to revamp a failed artifact of modernist planning. It's already got transit, commercial, retail, residential, light-industrial, and a lot of day-time foot and vehicle traffic. A one block long pedestrian mall can be a nice touch, but is hardly its greatest asset, and I don't see it being a game changer long-term.

Good post. These are small stepping stones but agree not a huge game changer. It will be interesting to see what will develop from the massive vacancies left behind with Germantown High School, The Women's Y and the Town Hall. I'd like to see some TOD built around the Germantown R7 station to have it better incorporated and more cohesive with the rest of Chelten Ave.