Ted Stones never thought he’d wake up to a private penal facility in his Germantown backyard. And the nightmare hasn’t stopped.
After his Zoning Board appeal was denied, Stones was surprised to hear that developers told community members at their monthly meeting that they were no longer interested in the abandoned property at 4969 Wakefield St.
“We have nobody [to develop the property now] that we know of since we spoke to the owner. They said they don’t have anybody to come in there. We are not against re-entry projects, but we are very protective of our community.” said Rosalind McKelvey, the block captain of the 4900 Wakefield Street block.
But this isn’t enough for Stones and his neighbors. They have decided not only to oppose the facility but also to make sure the Zoning Board reverts the land back to a residential property and need legal assistance.
Residents are also upset because the decision goes against Philadelphia’s zoning code to have a private penal facility within 500 feet of a public playground and residential homes. The facility would be within feet of many backyards and within 500 feet of a public playground by Wister and Bayton streets.
Sandra Pugh, vice president of executive board of the Wister Neighborhood Council, agreed the re-zoning of the Wakefield Street lots is illegal.
“We didn’t make the law, the government did and we will fight and fight until we get what we want because it’s only fair that we live decent, respected and private lives around here without having to worry about deterioration.”
But not everyone is against the development of the vacant property.
McKelvey, a block captain and an advocate for the deaf said: “We’re trying to keep the neighborhood going, we just need some help. The developers can get money to fix it up but we can’t get loans because our house ain’t worth a lot. Rather than arguing, if something is coming in let’s work with it.”
Karen Arthur was one of over 200 residents who signed Stones’ petition against the proposed facility for the non-profit, New Directions for Women.
New Directions houses otherwise incarcerated, non-violent drug offenders. The new facility would house 36 residents. Contrary to what was communicated at the Wister Neighborhood Advisory Committee meeting on Sept. 16, the women’s facility is still moving forward with the sale.
“At this time we are in lease negotiations [with the developers] regarding the Wakefield street property and when we are finished we will start renovations,” said Carolyn Stewart, executive director of the non-profit.
Arthur, a 35-year resident of Bayton Street said she’s tired of her neighborhood being a dumping ground.
“The state and city government need to realize that the citizens need to be asked what facilities should be in the middle of their block before they pass it through,” she said. “We don’t live in a secret society, everything should be open and there is no reason in the world that we were not told that they even had this in mind.”
The owners of the Wakefield street property could not be reached in time for comment.
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