Cottman/Tabor Info Needed (York, Chester: neighborhood, university, live)

[K 22]

Hi,

I'm a New Yorker but I went to Temple for college so I'm familiar with Philly hanging out in Center City, Northwest and Northeast Philly and riding the Frankford El a lot (have the cleaned up Bridge/Pratt station yet?).

Just two questions:

I'm driving down to visit a friend of mine from Temple who lives near Cottman Avenue and Tabor Road. I know that's a few blocks west of the Roosevelt Mall but how's that neighborhood. I remember when I was last there in 2000 it was pretty decent - but how is it now?

The other question is one I really wish I didn't have to ask but - my friend's white and I'm black so I'm wondering if I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb too much as I recall I only saw a handful of black folks around there and most of them were near the mall.

Thanks.

[K 22]

One other thing:

After this visit with the friend in NE Philly, I'm visiting a family member who's in the Southwest at 56th/Springfield. I remember the neighborhood being a bit sketchy but has it gotten better since 2000?

Thanks.

[Tone509]

Re: Cottman/Tabor, you will stick out like a sore thumb. That's not to say that you'll have a target on your back. While an infusion of blacks and Hispanics has diversified the lower Northeast in recent years, the traditionally ethnic white and Jewish population hasn't necessarily welcomed them with open arms. It's in the realm of possibility that some of those who coudn't/wouldn't vote with their feet may express their feelings to you in ways that may or may not be subtle.

Re: 56th and Springfield. I have a friend that lives nearby, off 54th and Chester. There's a lot of development on So. 52nd Street, the "unofficial" new boundary of University City. Some of that benefit may have spilled over a bit west. But it's still a block-by-block situation until you get over to Cobbs Creek.

[Tone509]

Oh... and they finally(!) completed renovations at the Frankford Transportation Center maybe four years ago.