How To: Start A Registered Community Organization (RCO)
A few years ago, City Council established new qualifications for community organizations that wish to be part of development decisions in their area. Registered Community Organizations (RCO) are formal groups of community members that weigh in on the physical development of their neighborhood, from community gardens to zoning issues. When a developer wants to build […]
Juniata Park: Different But Still a Place to Appreciate
Residing in the heart of her neighborhood, Kate Clarke is the president of the Juniata Park Civic Association. The community-based organization meets the second Tuesday of each month to discuss and mitigate community issues. How did you first get involved in Juniata Park’s community affairs? Well, I’m a lifelong resident of the neighborhood. I grew up […]
Chestnut Hill: Proposed Expansion of Firehouse Remains a Hot Topic
The proposed expansion of the Engine 37 firehouse (above) in Chestnut Hill remains a burning topic in the local community as steps are being taken to allow the 123-year old station to remain functional yet historically accurate. Located at 101 West Highland Ave. in the heart of Philadelphia’s “Garden District,” the Engine 37 firehouse is the […]
Roxborough: Local Resident Works Tirelessly To Preserve Roxborough
Retired social worker Donald Simon is an avid proponent for his community. Simon works tirelessly to ensure it remains the way he and his neighbors believe it should be. When he’s not spending his time playing piano and drums, or working as a trail ambassador to ensure the safety of the Wissahickon Valley Park grounds, he’s serving as […]
South Philadelphia: Q&A with Peter Zutter, President of South Broad Street Neighborhood Association
Peter Zutter, a longtime resident of South Broad Street and president of the South Broad Street Neighborhood Association, has seen his neighborhood go through many different changes in zoning, density and makeup of population. The association is the registered community organization, or RCO, for the boundaries of Washington Avenue to Oregon Avenue and 13th Street […]
Manayunk: Kevin Smith Fights for Development that Makes Sense
Kevin Smith is president of the Manayunk Neighborhood Council, a not-for-profit civic association dedicated to promoting a unified and sustainable community in Manayunk. Smith, who was raised in Southern California and moved to Manayunk about 20 years ago, sat down at Volo Coffeehouse on Main Street to discuss some of the issues and projects the […]
Education: Looking at What’s Next for Five Closed High Schools in Philadelphia
Education is one of the foundations of society, and yet schools in Philadelphia are hemorrhaging cash due to rising costs and stagnant revenues. Many have been forced to cut back on everything from school supplies and textbooks to programs and staff. Some have even closed their doors due to decisions by the School Reform Commission […]
Chinatown: A Community Leader Who Learns from Challenges
John Chin, 49, the Executive Director of Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC), was born and raised in Philadelphia’s Chinatown. As Chin comfortably sat in the black swivel chair with a nice white dress shirt tucked into his black slacks, he began to share the beginnings of the corporation. PCDC first opened its doors in 1966, […]
Chestnut Hill: Community Group Spearheads Change in Chestnut Hill
Will Detweiler moved his family from a small farm in Montgomery County to Chestnut Hill in the late 1960s. Detweiler was drawn there by a number of factors, but the community itself was at the forefront. “The ambiance, the quality of life, the spirit,” said Detweiler. “This community has love, appreciation and enthusiasm for Chestnut […]
Callowhill: Post-Industrial Area Continues to Evolve
Past: Sewing Industry Centralized in Callowhill “The sewing industry was very prominent in the Callowhill neighborhood before the early 1990s,” said Bob Weinstein (right). Weinstein’s father bought the building at 1025 Cherry St. for a commercial sewing machine business in 1951 and Bob Weinstein has been working in the area since 1961. In 1992, Weinstein […]