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• Mid-rise apartment building planned for empty lot just north of Ben Franklin BridgeMay 15, 2012
  May 14, 2012 By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly Another new development is proposed for the Central Delaware Waterfront – an 11-story apartment building, just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge in Old City. Previously, the de...
• Pier 9 study says it will cost $3.5 million to keep structure from deteriorating, $11 million to achieve full potentialApril 30, 2012
  April 27, 2012 By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly It would take about $3.5 million to stabilize the structure of Pier 9 so that it does not further deteriorate, and an additional $1.2 million to add emergency egress, public rest...
• Neighborhood-to-waterfront connector street projects moving forwardApril 30, 2012
  April 30, 2012 By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly Progress continues on three street improvement projects designed to better link Philadelphia neighborhoods with the Central Delaware Riverfront through improved pedestrian and bicycle access, lig...
• OCCA Developments Committee Agenda – Tuesday April 23, 2012April 23, 2012
  Developments Committee Members and Others: We have no votable cases scheduled.  However, we will convene our quarterly, open OCCA Liquor Committee meeting, and we have a few updates to share for our meeting of April 24th. Agenda: 1.  Updates ...
• Upcoming Events at Elfreth’s AlleyApril 1, 2012
  See how the other half lived in colonial Philadelphia when you take the Rich Man / Poor Man walking tour.   From the dazzling opulence of high society in America’s wealthiest capital to the seedy underbelly of its waterfront roots – 18th centur...
• Reboot for a New Independence Branch Library?March 5, 2012
  There is good news from the Free Library of Philadelphia.  Almost from the day it opened in 2001, the Independence Branch Library, at 18 South 7th Street, has been among the busiest neighborhood libraries in the city. This January the Free Libra...
• Friends of Race Street Pier Monthly MeetingMarch 4, 2012
  The Friends of Race Street Pier will meet on Tuesday March 13, 2012 at the DRWC office, located at 121 N. Columbus Blvd. at 6:30 pm. The friends group recently received a grant from PHS to sponsor a Park After Dark event. Come to this meeting to ...
• Help TreePhilly Branch Out!February 29, 2012
  Click here to get your FREE TREE! This Spring, Philadelphia Parks &  Recreation is offering City residents the chance to sign up for FREE yard trees for their private property (front, back, and side yards). Sign up by March 31st to receive you...
• Recent Incidents Reported To The 6th DistrictFebruary 28, 2012
  Captain Brian J. Korn #50 Commanding Officer Sixth Police District The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Monday 02/20/12 to Sunday 02/26/12   INCIDENTS REPORTED Between 3 PM, Wednesday...
• Sign Control Working Group finishes first round of civic engagementFebruary 21, 2012
  February 19, 2012 By Jared Brey For PlanPhilly The inter-agency Sign Control Working Group wrapped up its first round of civic engagement Friday with a public meeting at the City Planning Commission. The group also met on Thursday w...
• Old City Sign Ordinance Under ReviewFebruary 21, 2012
  By Rob Kettell When the city recently adopted its new zoning code it failed to revise that portion which regulates signs.  The City Planning Commission is now starting to make up for this deficiency and conducting a series of meetings to get commu...
• Old City Waterfront Zoning ProposedFebruary 21, 2012
  By Rob Kettell On February 9th the City Planning Commission and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation presented the first draft of new zoning overlay for the Central Delaware including Old City’s waterfront.  They hope to make refinements to ...
• OCCA Liquor Committee Report - Updated February 12, 2011February 21, 2012
  OCCA Liquor Committee Report Submitted By:  Joe Schiavo, Chair   27 S. Second Street – Benjamin Franklin Beer Distributor – D-2326 (represented by: Ed McHugh) On January 10th, 27 S. Second Street posted for the double transfer of ...
• Old City Scoop The Poop campaign gets city blessing for pilot program, chooses new mascotFebruary 6, 2012
  February 1, 2012 By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly The volunteers running a campaign to rid Old City's streets of dog waste have received the city's blessing to continue their program as a year-long pilot. Program co-cha...
• Recent Incidents Reported To The 6th DistrictFebruary 6, 2012
  The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District Captain Brian J. Korn #50 Commanding OfficerSixth Police District   Monday 01/23/12 to Sunday 01/29/12   INCIDENTS REPORTED   On ...
• OCCA Developments Committee Meeting MinutesFebruary 6, 2012
  OCCA Developments Committee January 17, 2012, 8:00 AM Application for Use Change for Parkominium: 231-35 North Second Street: In attendance: Dawn Tancredi (attorney for the Mattioni firm) and Parkominium partner Michael Unterm...
• New "District Plan" to Include Old CityFebruary 6, 2012
  By Rob Kettell On January 31st the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) unveiled the first of eighteen new “district plans” that will be developed for various sections of the city. Now they will begin to work on the plan for the Central...
• DRWC talks about Pier 9's future and a parking lot's pastFebruary 6, 2012
  By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly January 27, 2012 Pier 9 – the municipal space with a large building on it that sits next to Race Street Pier – could one day boast on open-air porch, cafe-seating overlooking the neighborin...
• Recent Incidents Reported To The 6th DistrictFebruary 1, 2012
  Captain Brian J. Korn #50 Commanding Officer Sixth Police District   The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Monday 01/30/12 to Sunday 02/05/12   INCIDENTS REPORTED   B...
• OCCA Liquor Committee ReportJanuary 25, 2012
  OCCA Liquor Committee Report Submitted By:  Joe Schiavo, Chair Updated:  January 30, 2012   27 S. Second Street – Benjamin Franklin Beer Distributor – D-2326 (represented by: Ed McHugh) On January 10th, 27 S. Second Street pos...
• Bruce Springsteen Returns To The “Streets Of Philadelphia” In A Must-See Exhibition Coming To The National Constitution Center In February 2012January 25, 2012
  Posted by Allison Stadd Explore Springsteen's legendary career at the first major exhibition about the pioneering American songwriter, which debuts this February at the National Constitution Center, the first and only venue where it is slated t...
• Scoop The Poop!January 25, 2012
  January 13, 2012 By NewsWorks Tonight Staff Residents of tightly packed sections of Philadelphia are no doubt familiar with a very smelly problem: piles of dog--mess that careless owners fail to pick up. Several Old City n...
• Old City Dog Poop Scoopers Meet With Reps From City Transportation, Utilities And StreetsJanuary 25, 2012
  January 18, 2012 By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly The Old City residents who organized the Scoop The Poop campaign to combat a neighborhood problem with dog waste met with city officials this week to talk about the future of t...
• Board of Surveyors MeetingJanuary 25, 2012
  The purpose of this hearing is to give notice that the Board of Surveyors will take final action on this plan, as authorized by an Ordinance of Council, approved December 21, 2011. "Notice is hereby given that the Board of Surveyors has fixe...
• Old City–A Great Urban NeighborhoodJanuary 25, 2012
  Written on January 24, 2012 by kerimwhite in Buy Philadelphia Real Estate, Old City, Philly Life Old City has become synonymous with hip.  The large number of galleries, independent boutiques, wide variety of restaurants and bar...
• News of Old City (aka What's Happenin'?) 1/25/12January 25, 2012
  Posted by Julie Davis There will soon be a new addition to Old City’s shopping scene as Kaleidoscope gears up for its grand opening next month. Specializing in women’s apparel and accessories, the 1,300-square-foot boutique will set up shop...
• Police Service Area meetingJanuary 25, 2012
  Please consider attending this month's Police Service Area (PSA) meeting. This month's meeting starts at 5:00 PM, Thursday, January 26th. PSA meetings are held at the north end of the Independence Visitor Center located at 5th & Market Streets. ...
• DRWC'S FINAL PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE MASTER PLANJune 9, 2011
  Festival Pier / June 13th / Free Parking DELAWARE RIVER WATERFRONT CORPORATION TO HOST FINAL PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE CENTRAL DELAWARE- JUNE 13, 2011 The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC ) will host the final p...
• YOU'RE INVITED: RELEASE OF CITYWIDE VISIONJune 9, 2011
  Philadelphia 2035 at Moore College of Art and Design
• Agenda: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE 6/7/11June 9, 2011
  Three Courtesy Presentations / reports -Scheduled and Reported by Joe Schiavo Below is the agenda for our OCCA Developments Committee meeting of June 7th. We have three Courtesy Presentations scheduled, and various updates and reports. Agenda:...
• MEETING: OCCA MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEEEJune 9, 2011
  Planning events, encouraging involvement Membership Committee – sponsoring activities for community members, encouraging public service, reinforcing the sense of neighborhood, providing venues to discuss key issues, promoting our rich history D...
• OPEN STUDIOS NIGHT at 222 VINE STREETJune 9, 2011
  Enjoy complimentary drinks, light fare and ice cream in one of Old City's most creative shared work spaces. Join graphic designers, architects, interactive designers, mobile app developers, set designers, web and agency visionaries all under one roof.
• PHILABERRY ART FESTJune 9, 2011
  Music, art, berries, and life! PHILABERRY ART FEST Friday, JUNE 3rd – 5:00 – 9:00 PM (Rain or Shine) A Summer Celebration of music, art, berries, and life OLD ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH 4TH AND NEW STREETS www.historicstgeorges.org faceboo...
• FLAG FEST 2011June 8, 2011
  Fun for everyone at the Betsy Ross Flag Fest ENTERTAINMENT IS SET FOR FLAG FESTIVAL 2011 
 PACKED LINE-UP INCLUDES OLD FAVORITES
AND NEW FACES From performers flying through the air, to Uncle Sam on stilts and an organ grinder … with his m...
• Slideshow & Waterfront Walking TourJune 8, 2011
  Presentation by local historian, Harry Kyriakodis Saturday, June 11th at 2:00 PM Slideshow and Walking Tour will be presented by local historian, Harry Kyriakodis. Harry is the author of forthcoming book, "Philadelphia's Lost Waterfront". The slid...
• Liquor Committee Report - 6/5/11June 5, 2011
  -Reported by Joe Schiavo, Acting Chair -June 6, 2011 123 Chestnut Street - (former Cebu / World Fusion location) The City has, apparently, issued the food-use permit over-the-counter, even though the use had been vacated over three years ago. Th...
• News of Old City (aka What's Happenin'?) 6/5/11June 5, 2011
  -by Janet Kalter Open: Revolution House at Second and Market is open at last. We've all been waiting to experience this restaurant with its beautiful second floor outdoor terrace and the authentic Italian pizzas (which, believe it or not, take...
• Opinion: Not In My Back Yard!June 4, 2011
  The following letter is an appeal from Mary Tracy to help fight the billboard blight that Councilman DiCicco insists on visiting on our city.  He's prepared to totally disregard the city's dignity and residents' rights.  I urge you to read the let...
• WATERFRONT & CONNECTOR NEWSJune 4, 2011
  June 2, 2011 By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly After years of collecting and distilling Philadelphians' dreams for the Central Delaware Waterfront - and mixing in some economic and other on-the-ground realities - planners are nearly re...
• Reports: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE 5/24/11June 2, 2011
  -Reported by Janet Kalter KIMPTON HOTEL Attorney Peter Kelson, accompanied by Nick Gregory, the Director of Operations of the Kimpton Hotels in Philadelphia, presented a plan for a rooftop restaurant.  The refusal from Licenses and Inspec...
• VITALITY ON VINEMay 29, 2011
  -by Janet Kalter This group of businesses will have an opening on Friday, June 3rd, at their building located at the eastern end of the 200 block of Vine Street. The building has the staid appearance of the garage that it once was. The experienc...
• THE STARS LINED UPMay 29, 2011
  -by Janet Kalter The Wood Turning Center, now named The Center for Art in Wood, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is leading the growth, awareness and promotion of artists who work in this field. Albert Le Coff, Co-Founder and Exec...
• WHAT HATH I-95 WROUGHT?May 22, 2011
  Philadelphia's North Central Waterfront A SLIDE SHOW AND WATERFRONT WALKING TOUR SATURDAY, JUNE 11th 2:00 PM at PIER 9 -Release by Rich Stange Harry Kyriakodis, a local historian and Pier 3 Condo resident, will tell the history of the ...
• WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDSMay 22, 2011
  Old City Tree Tender Notes - Improving Tree Pits, With A Little Help From Our Friends -By Joe SchiavoI recently wrote about a small group of Old City Tree Tenders edging the ten tree pits (they look great) in the 400 block of Arch Street, and a c...
• NEWS OF OLD CITY (aka What's Happenin'?)May 22, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter It's a very active period in Old City.  This report covers the changes that have actually taken place but there are many more changes "in the works" to be reported in the future. Openings: Race Street Pier Poliform...
• Report: OCCA LIQUOR COMMITTEE REPORT 5/21/2011May 21, 2011
  Submitted By: Joe Schiavo, Acting Chair 200 Market St. - Revolution House There is a hitch in the issuance of the liquor license for this new restaurant due to the specific terms of the CLA relative to the minimum number of seats for patrons, and...
• AN ENCHANTING EVENINGMay 14, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter  The evening of the Race Street Pier Promenade offered an opportunity for all of the people involved in the realization of this fabulous accomplishment to celebrate its success. They were almost giddy with satisfaction at t...
• PA GAMING CONTROL BOARD VS FOXWOODSMay 12, 2011
  May 5, 2011 By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Wednesday asked state Commonwealth Court to uphold the board's Dec. 16 decision to revoke Foxwoods Casino's license, saying the team behind Foxwoods had mu...
• RECENT INCIDENTS REPORT FROM 6TH DISTRICT 5/2 - 5/8/11May 12, 2011
  The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Mon 05/02/11 to Sun 05/08/11 INCIDENTS REPORTED: On Tuesday, 05/03/11, 12 PM, complainant exited an east bound Market-Frankford train at 5th & Market Sts. wh...
• Report: OCCA LIQUOR COMMITTEE REPORT 5/6/11 May 8, 2011
  Updated May 6, 2011 Submitted By: Joe Schiavo, Acting Chair 246 Market Street - (former Prive) According to Stephen Clofine, a local real estate broker, negotiations between the property owner and a new occupant/operator are just about complete...
• INGA SAFFRON COMMENTS ON RACE STREET PIER May 8, 2011
  Changing Skyline: Delightful pier park brings hope to waterfront May 06, 2011|By Inga Saffron, Inquirer Architecture CriticWhen a new city park opens Thursday on the Delaware waterfront, on a narrow finger pier at the foot of Race Street, Philadelph...
• Report: OLD CITY BUSINESS COLLECTIVE - 4/12/11 May 8, 2011
  -Submitted by Beth Gibson Minutes 4/12/11 The OCBC Board met at More Than Old 4/12 at 7:15. Present were Eric Berley, Beth Gibson, Kayo Higashimura, Gary Krause, Monique Mason, and Bill Whalon. The treasurer's report and minutes of the...
• THE TALK OF OLD CITY (aka: What's Happenin'?) 5/1/1 May 1, 2011
  - By Janet Kalter After eight years on the market, the property at Second and Arch Streets in Old City has finally sold to a group of undisclosed local investors.  The selling price was $1.4 million.  The property was formerly Trenton China Pott...
• LIQUOR COMMITTEE REPORT- 4/26/11 April 27, 2011
  -Submitted by Joseph Schiavo, Acting Chair Updated April 26, 2011 246 Market Street - (former Prive) According to Stephen Clofine, a local real estate broker, negotiations between the property owner and a new occupant/operator are just about com...
• FIRST DISTRICT CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL SPEAK April 24, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter On Wednesday evening, April 20th, there was a forum to meet the First District candidates for City Council (as noted on the OCCA Events calendar). This year's election is being trumpeted as the most important election in a ...
• DEDICATED TREE-TENDERS TRANSFORMING OLD CITYApril 16, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter A few trees at a time. It wasn't looking promising. We gathered today at the 155 N. Third Street storefront on this grim, grey Saturday morning challenged with a weather prediction that promised a downpour. It was 10 o'clock...
• OLD CITY BUSINESSES SHARE THEIR AGES April 14, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter Walking along the streets of Old City, seeing the familiar businesses, we sometimes lose track of the number of years they've been here; and some of Old City's residents are too young to know. Some of these businesses are older ...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE 4/12/11 April 14, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter and Joe Schiavo Stephen Pollock, attorney for Charlie and Deborah Vaturi, presented a new drawing by architect, Dan Bosin, for their 17 N. Third Street restaurant/bar proposal . The second floor of the building would remain...
• RECENT INCIDENTS REPORT FROM 6TH DISTRICT 4/4-4/10/11 April 14, 2011
  The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Mon 04/04/11 to Sun 04/11/11 (ARREST) On Saturday, 04/09/11, 12:35 PM, 6th District Officer Maiorano approached an illegally parked 2010 Chevy Impala outside 250 ...
• 6th Street Recent IncidentsApril 8, 2011
  The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Mon 03/28/11 to Sun 04/03/11 (ARREST) On Wednesday, 03/30/11, 1:15 AM, 6th District Officers Ditizio and Haberle responded to a call for vandalism at 33 ...
• Did you know?April 8, 2011
  Did you know that commercial and City trash pick-ups are not permitted to operate between 7 PM and 7 AM in the City of Philadelphia? The fine for those who are caught breaking this law is $300.00. If a resident observes an Illegal pickup prior to ...
• 6TH DISTRICT RECENT INCIDENTS REPORT - 3/28 - 4/3 April 5, 2011
  The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Mon 03/28/11 to Sun 04/03/11 (ARREST) On Wednesday, 03/30/11, 1:15 AM, 6th District Officers Ditizio and Haberle responded to a call for vandalism at 33 ...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE 3/29/11 April 3, 2011
  -Reported by Janet Kalter The Committee heard a presentation by Ron Patterson, attorney for the applicant of the proposed bar / restaurant at 100 Spring Garden Street, Rebel. After the applicant and her attorney departed, there was discuss...
• LIQUOR COMMITTEE REPORT- 4/3/11 April 3, 2011
  OCCA LIQUOR COMMITTEE - NEWSLETTER REPORT -By Joe Schiavo 226 Vine St. - Istanbul Grille (a.k.a. Konak) A Conditional Licensing Agreement (CLA) agreed upon between the applicant and the Committee was filed with the PLCB in early January. When th...
• MEET THE CANDIDATESApril 2, 2011
  MEET THE CANDIDATES   At-Large Council Seats   Thursday, May 12th    7:00 pm WHYY  150 N 5th Street     Old City Hear the 2 dozen candidates trying to represent the whole city Vote for 7 on May 17th Democrats ...
• FAQ: WHEN IS THAT *%$#& SCAFFOLDING COMING DOWN? March 29, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter Those of us who frequently walk on the east side of Third Street between Arch Street and Race Street have been dealing with the encroachment of scaffolding in front of the building at 115 - 117 N. Third for a very long time. In ...
• THE ART COMMISSION REVEALEDMarch 27, 2011
  March 9, 2011 By JoAnn Greco For PlanPhilly It maintains no web site, and although its meetings are open to the public, notice of just what will be covered in upcoming meetings is elusive. After a meeting, its minutes can be hard to get a hold ...
• MARCH 23RD MEETING RE: 401 RACE STREET March 26, 2011
  By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly Legislation that would allow a hotel with a lower-level Toby Keith honkytonk to be built in Old City will be voted on by City Council within the next few weeks, said First District Councilman Frank DiCicco....
• OCCA RESPONDS TO THE CITY'S DRAFT DEVELOPMENT PLAN March 25, 2011
  -By Rob Kettell Old City Civic Association provided the City Planning Commission with over thirty suggestions for improving the draft of the Philadelphia 2035 Plan that outlines the city's long-term development goals and projects. The plan, which...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE 3/15/11 March 19, 2011
  -By Richard Thom / Edited by Janet Kalter World Renaissance Associates Case - Property at Delaware Avenue and Callowhill Federal Judge dismissed last remaining allegation against OCCA and RECA, "breach of contract". It is a definitive and thorough ...
• LIQUOR COMMITTEE REPORTMarch 19, 2011
  -By Joe Schiavo  /  Condensed by Janet Kalter 226 Vine St. - Istanbul Grille (a.k.a. Konak) - a CLA agreed upon between the applicant and the Committee was filed with the PLCB in early January. There is no additional action to be taken at this ...
• RECENT INCIDENTS REPORT FROM 6TH DISTRICT 3/7-3/16/11 March 16, 2011
  The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District Mon 03/07/11 to Sun 03/13/11 (ARREST)
On Monday, 03/07/11, 12;10 AM, a heavily intoxicated male was hit by a cab, 2nd & Arch Sts. Fire Rescue personnel st...
• BRAVO, OLD CITY BUSINESSES! March 13, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter As residents and business owners of Old City see some of our businesses close their doors or re-locate, we often hear said, "Old City is a very difficult business environment. So many businesses don't succeed here." I have to...
• CITY IMPROVEMENTS IN OLD CITY March 13, 2011
  -By Rob Kettell Major city development projects are often a long time in coming. Projects for the current year often have to work their way up a list of projects in the city's six-year Capital Budget. The Capital Budget is supposed to be based on...
• OCCA CONTRIBUTES TO THE GREENING OF THE RACE STREET PIER March 11, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter Nine years ago, trees were planted for the Memorial Park planned for the World Trade Center site in New York. They planted more than they needed to assure that there would be enough trees for the park. There were more than enou...
• RECENT INCIDENTS REPORT FROM 6TH DISTRICT March 9, 2011
  The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Mon 02/28/11 to Sun 03/06/11 (ARREST)
On Thursday, 03/03/11, 10:30 AM, 6th District police responded to a call for back up of Federal Police at 2nd &...
• GREY SOCIAL: MORE INFORMATION - and now we wait Part 4March 6, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter Grey Social - Part 4 After contacting a few people with the PLCB and City this week regarding the possible fate of Grey Social, I think that Old City is at the point where we will wait and see. The outcome is in the hands...
• FBI INVESTIGATION INTO CORRUPTION IN L&I AND POLICE DEPARTMENTMarch 6, 2011
  FBI search warrant reveals how it seeks to build corruption case involving Phila. Police, L&I February 17, 2011|By George Anastasia, Inquirer Staff Federal authorities are hoping to use financial records and other documents seized last week...
• UPDATE: SHOOTING OUTSIDE BLEU MARTINIMarch 5, 2011
  The following is from an Action News Report.  The original story in our newsletter was from CBS news. OLD CITY - March 1, 2011 (WPVI) -- A man has died following a February 20th shooting in the Old City section of Philadelphia. Scoey Potter, ...
• FIRE AT LA LOCANDA DEL GHIOTTONE March 4, 2011
  FROM "THE INSIDER" - POSTED BY MICHAEL KLEIN THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2011 Restaurant notes: Old City restaurant shut by fire La Locanda del Ghiottone, the granddaddy of Old City's BYOBs at Third and Cherry Streets, is down after a middle-of-the-n...
• GREY SOCIAL: THE CONTINUING SAGA - PART 3 February 25, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter Matthew Mueller, Assistant District Attorney, keeping me informed, sent a copy of the Consent Order* that the owner of Grey Social signed in order to get the doors of his business re-opened, after a Cease Operations Order was ser...
• 6th DISTRICT RECENT INCIDENTS REPORT February 25, 2011
  The Recent Incidents Report from the 6th District Police The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Mon 02/14/11 to Sun 02/20/11

(REPORT)
On Sunday, 02/13/11, between 2:30 AM and 2 PM, the mailbo...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING - 2/15/11 February 20, 2011
  -Reported by Janet Kalter Joe Schiavo, co-chair, announced at the beginning of the meeting that there would be one presentation that would require a vote: 20 - 30 Front Street. Meeting with Councilman DiCicco and Mr. Ambrosi Last Wednesday ...
• SHOOTING OUTSIDE BLEU MARTINI BAR/RESTAURANT February 20, 2011
  According to a report on CBS news, at approximately one o"clock Sunday morning, Feburary 19, a gunman shot into a crowd after leaving Bleu Martini. Apparently, there had been an earlier altercation inside that lead to the shooting outside. Two m...
• COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES MEET WITH COUNCILMAN DI CICCO AND MR. AMBROSI February 12, 2011
  -By Joe Schiavo On the evening of Wednesday, February 9th, Ryan Berley, OCCA President, and I attended a 401 Race Street meeting convened by Councilman DiCicco, and attended by Mr. Robert Ambrosi and Carl Freedman. Also in attendance were repres...
• IMPORTANT SURVEYFebruary 12, 2011
  All: In a recent article posted to the PlanPhilly website on February 11th, Mr. Robert Ambrosi, developer of the 401 Race Street project, notes that he believes that "the silent majority" of Old City residents like the project, and those objectin...
• RECENT INCIDENTS REPORT FROM 6TH DISTRICT February 10, 2011
  The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Mon 01/31/11 to Sunday 02/06/11 (REPORT) Between 7 PM, Wednesday, 02/02/11 and 7 AM, Thursday, 02/02/11, complainant's 2001 BMW, parked in the paid lot, 19 S. 2nd ...
• HOW DID GREY LOUNGE RE-OPEN SO QUICKLY? February 10, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter When we received word that a Cease Operations order was posted on the window of Grey Social, (a.k.a. Grey Lounge), many members of our community saw this as a possibility for setting an example for the operators of bar / restaurants...
• OLD CITY CREATIVE CORRIDOR February 6, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter Enthusiasm is an essential ingredient for starting an initiative, and that ingredient is definitely covered for the start-up plans for Old City Creative Corridor (OCCC). Dan Schwartz, Public Relations Director for Maiden Media, pres...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING - 2/1/11 February 6, 2011
  -By Joe Schiavo and Janet Kalter Wells Fargo Signage The team from Wells Fargo made a clear presentation. While the signage at the top of the building is longer, horizontally, because of the longer name, it is not as tall. The signs at the lower le...
• SAVING THE SS UNITED STATES February 5, 2011
  Conservancy purchases SS United States through grant from Lenfest Foundation Posted: February 1, 2011 by SS United States Coservancy http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/ In a long-anticipated milestone in the effort to save and redevelop th...
• CRIME REPORT: Captain Korn of the 6th District February 3, 2011
  -Reported by Captain Korn, Commanding Officer 6th Police District The below incidents in the Old City area were recently reported to the 6th District: Mon 01/24/11 to Sun 01/30/11 

 (ARRESTS)
On Friday, 01/28/11, Pa. State Police , Li...
• CEASE OPERATIONS ORDER: GREY LOUNGE January 30, 2011
  You may have seen the notice on the window at Grey Lounge at 132 Chestnut Street. On the night of January 28, 2011, the 6th District Police, the State Police and L&I conducted an investigation in Grey Lounge. There were 18 people arrested for undera...
• OLD CITY CREATIVE CORRIDOR January 28, 2011
  Old City Creative Corridor Initiative Announced for Old City SOURCE: Maiden Media Group Maiden Media Group Announces Effort to Brand Old City to Unite Creative TalentPHILADELPHIA, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Maiden Media Group, a leading digit...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING - 1/18/11 January 23, 2011
  -By Janet Kalter and Joe Schiavo Signage proposal for 101 N. Independence Mall - Wells Fargo Building (will be voted at a future meeting) Copies of the Refusal were circulated. The description of the application included in the L&I Refusal w...
• INTERESTING--VERY INTERESTING January 22, 2011
  Foxwoods casino license revocation is headed for court By Jennifer Lin Inquirer Staff Writer The partners in Foxwoods Casino have filed an appeal in Commonwealth Court challenging the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's decision last month to...
• FORECLOSURE HITS HOME ON ELFRETHS ALLEY January 12, 2011
  -By JOANN LOVIGLIO Associated Press PHILADELPHIA - January 11, 2011 -- Mold covers the drywall, windows and floors; dusty furniture languishes inside. It's just like any of the thousands of abandoned homes dotting suburban ghost towns in the wake...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING - 1/4/11 January 9, 2011
  Reported by Janet Kalter The Committee voted to support the project proposed at 444 N. 4th Street as described below: Convenience store - food-use /delicatessen /eat-in / take-out This use of part of the ground-floor level of 444 N. 4th Street wo...
• THE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE LISTS "ENDANGERED PROPERTIES" January 7, 2011
  Rob Kettell spotted this article in PlanPhilly and forwarded it for publication in the newsletter. Two of the items on the list of "Endangered Properties" are relevant to our neighborhood. Read on. December 28, 2010 By Alan Jaffe For PlanP...
• DRWC ANNOUNCES NEXT GENERATION OF WATERFRONT PROJECTS January 6, 2011
  Philadelphia, PA- (January 6, 2011) Mayor Michael A. Nutter and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) announced plans for the next generation of waterfront projects. With initial early action projects either completed or well underway, ...
• CUTTING THROUGH THE ZONING CODE: USE REGULATIONS January 2, 2011
  November 3, 2010 By Nick Gilewicz For PlanPhilly So I can't deliver on my promises to tell you who gets what quite yet. That's going to be determined when the city gets remapped. But digging through the use guidelines in the revised code reve...
• OCCA STARTS THE NEW YEAR WITH A NEW PRESIDENT January 1, 2011
  -Reported by Janet Kalter OCCA is starting the new year with a new president. In November, 2010, Joe O'Donnell announced his resignation, but, at the request of the Board, agreed to continue his responsibilities until his successor was in place....
• ZONING CODE COMMISSION: CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW January 1, 2011
  This article, written by Nick Gilewicz fot PlanPhilly was published in November, 2010.  Since the zoning code is still subject to change, some of the information in this article may have changed. For a view of the most recent version of the ...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING - 12/21/10 December 25, 2010
  Developments Committee Meeting - December 21, 2010 -by Janet KalterCrosswalk plan for N. American Street Janice Woodcock, Architect, discussed a plan for a crosswalk between the Christ Church garden and the entrance to the renovated Neighborhood ...
• PROGRESS ON THE NEW ZONING CODEDecember 19, 2010
  -By Joe Schiavo It's a lot like parachuting; you float and float and float and in the last few seconds the ground seems to rush toward you and slap the bottoms of your feet. The Zoning Code Commission (ZCC) started their work of rewriting the ...
• Report: CITY COUNCIL HEARING - 12/16/10 December 17, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter and Joe Schiavo Even more good news! In case you haven't heard: Councilman Frank DICicco has seen the light --- that is, the light that would have emanated from the jumbotron digital sign that Mr. Ambrosi wanted to incorporate...
• DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE AGENDA - DECEMBER 21, 2010 December 17, 2010
  -Scheduled and reported by Joe Schiavo We have a full agenda. Please make every effort to be at the meeting table at 8:00 AM 1. Property Committee of Christ Church - Crosswalk Plan For N. American Street - Presented by Janice Woodcock 2. 444 N...
• FOXWOODS LOSES ITS LICENSE December 16, 2010
  PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -Pennsylvania gambling control officials today decided to revoke the casino license of the Foxwoods group, after the group repeatedly failed to meet deadlines over the past four years. This means, pending a likely appeal by the F...
• AN EXCITING RE-USE OF THE PUMPING STATION December 14, 2010
  December 14, 2010 From an article by Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly The Philadelphia City Planning Commission Tuesday gave its approval to one development project that would re-use a historic city building, and another that would tear one ...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING - 12/7/10 December 11, 2010
  -Reported by Janet Kalter 401 Race Street Discussion began with issues regarding Bill 100552 introduced by Councilman DiCicco for 401 Race Street which he hopes will become an Ordinance on December 16th. There is concern that the language of t...
• OLD CITY RESIDENTS TESTIFY BEFORE RULES COMMITTEE December 5, 2010
  By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly A proposed Old City hotel with up to 35,000 square feet of restaurants, retail and live entertainment and a 1,200 square foot digital sign came one step closer to reality Monday afternoon.

City Council...
• GOOD WORK, OLD CITY RESIDENTS! December 2, 2010
  Clean-Up Day In Old City -By Janet Kalter Once again, the weather was great for our OCCA Clean-Up Day. Wasn't it wonderful to see how much improved Old City was after the clean-up? It wasn't just a little better, it was really an outstanding i...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING - 11/23/10 November 28, 2010
  The OCCA Developments Committee, at its regularly scheduled meeting, voted the following positions and a letter has been sent to Councilman DiCicco informing him of this voted position: 1. It is the position of the OCCA Developments Committee tha...
• COMMUNITY MEETING WITH MR. AMBROSI AND COUNCILMAN DiCICCO November 28, 2010
  By Kellie Patrick Gates For PlanPhilly To the Arc Properties team planning to develop a hotel at 401 Race Street, a billboard is a structure that can be leased to outside entities and generate revenue. But to the Old City residents who packed O...
• LATEST NEWS ON WATERFRONT PLANS November 19, 2010
  Plan for Penns Landing - Version #9 -By Rob Kettell Since a portion of the Delaware River was filled during the 1970's, there have been at least eight formal proposals for developing Penn's Landing. The latest proposal was detailed on November 1...
• LIQUOR COMMITTEE REPORTNovember 16, 2010
  OCCA Liquor Committee Report - November 16, 2010 -By Bob Brown Building 500, LLC - Revolution House at 200 Market Street: As previously reported, the Conditional Licensing Agreement (CLA) which we had negotiated with Luca Sena has been signe...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING - 11/9/10 November 14, 2010
  Report:  Developments Committee Meeting – November 9, 2010 -Reported by Janet Kalter 401 Race Street The meeting opened with a discussion of the status of our information on the 401 Race Street project.  A letter has been written and sent ...
• OUR OWN RACE STREET PIER IS UNDER WAY November 9, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter A sparkling fall day on the waterfront was the setting for the Race Street Pier ground-breaking event. As is the case on a day like this, colors seemed brighter, the bridge appeared especially majestic, everyone looked excited t...
• A BUSY GREEN WEEK-END FOR OLD CITY November 8, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter The Greening of Old City - Friday, November 5th The week-end started with a celebration at Girard Fountain park at 4th and Arch, announcing the collective plans for Old City's exciting events to plant 70 trees - 28 by OCD,...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING - 10/26/10October 31, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter AGENDA: 400 N. 5th Street / 17 N. 3rd Street / 401 Race Street 400 N. 5th Street at Callowhill Street (self-storage facility) - The applicant is seeking our support of a variance necessary to install a changeable, digital si...
• ELFRETH'S ALLEY LOOKS TO ITS FUTURE October 28, 2010
  -By Rob Kettell In the current economic climate the Elfreth's Alley Association is evaluating where it should put its emphasis. The nonprofit organization has always had two goals: preservation and education. It has traditionally fought to keep t...
• Report: DELAWARE RIVER WATERFRONT CORPORATION October 24, 2010
  Report: Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Master Plan The Second of Three Meetings-By Janet Kalter Tom Corcoran, President of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, welcomed the group assembled at Festival Pier. The crowd then heard ...
• PHILADELPHIA LEAF DRIVE October 22, 2010
  2010 PHILLY BAGGED LEAF DRIVE Drive will begin Monday, November 8 and end Friday, December 17 PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Streets Department's 2010 Bagged Leaf Drive will begin on Monday, November 8 and will run through Friday, December 17. "Due to ...
• Part 5: HOW CAN OLD CITY DEAL WITH NUISANCE BARS? October 17, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter Background In the OCCA Spring Newsletter, 2009, some suggestions were made for dealing with this problem. It seems that the time is ripe for repeating some of the information that was reported before, and updating it. As re...
• REPORT: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE - 10/12/10 October 17, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter In attendance: Richard Thom, Joe Schiavo, Ted Newbold, Mort Altshuler, Martha Coonley, Michael Barmash, Janet Kalter, Bob Brown, Joe O'Donnell, Neil McLaughlin, Jim Curry, Bill Whalon, Peter Rothberg, Marcus Saitschenko, David ...
• DRIVEN DESIGN: A SUCCESS STORY October 15, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter Eugenie Perret and Michael Schmick of Minima have a passion for classic cars - a passion. For a while, they have been harboring the fantasy of a classic car show, and this year, in conjunction with the annual Design Philade...
• REPORT: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE - 9/28/10 October 10, 2010
  Report: Developments Committee - September 28, 2010 Submitted by: Joe Schiavo1. 433-41 Chestnut Street - Kimpton Hotel Project - request for support of new food use (restaurant) as accessory to the proposed hotel use. Peter Kelsen presented on ...
• REPORT: RACE STREET STREETSCAPE October 10, 2010
  Report: Race Street Connector to the Race Street Pier Meeting held on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at Yacht Club, River's Edge -By Richard Stange, Registered Architect - The Old City neighborhood participated in the latest Race Street Connec...
• REPORT: OCCA'S ANNUAL MEETING - 2010 October 2, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter Question asked: What is your opinion of the recent OCCA Annual Meeting? The response always started with exclamations about how wonderful the Chemical Heritage Museum is. "A gem," was Gary Krause's conclusion, "and a real treasu...
• PART 4: OLD CITY ORGANIZATIONS-THE LIQUOR COMMITTEE September 26, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter Part 4: Old City's Organizations - The Liquor Committee of OCCA's Developments Committee Because members of our community understand very little about the workings of the Liquor Committee, it is often the brunt of frustr...
• TAKE-OUT BEER LICENSE APPLICATION WITHDRAWN September 19, 2010
  The Last Word on the Beer Take-out License for Drinker's The OCCA Liquor Committee has received notice from Avram Hornik's attorney that he has agreed to withdraw his application for a Take-out Beer License. This is very welcome news, and we t...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE - 9/14/10 September 18, 2010
  By Janet Kalter Attendees: Richard Thom, Joe Schiavo, Mort Altshuler, Diane Tucker, Bob Brown, Neil Mc Laughlin, Bob Downs, Nancy and Don Todd, Martha Coonley, Janet Kalter, Peter Rothberg, Ted Newbold, Marcus Saitschenko, Gabe Canuso, Bill Wha...
• OLD CITY TREE TENDERS TO PLANT 28 TREES September 18, 2010
  Old City Tree Tenders to Plant 28 Trees on November 7th By Joe SchiavoOur Fall 2010 TreeVitalize volunteer tree planting has been scheduled for Sunday, November 7th. Our start time will be 12:00 PM. Although our tree planting events have been...
• EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS September 12, 2010
  After a failed effort to establish a museum and conference center on 78 acres in Valley Forge, the American Revolution Center will come to Old City, and we welcome them here! The former visitor center at Independence National Historical Park at T...
• L&I TURNS THE FORTUNES OF OLD CITY September 12, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter As we're all still reeling from the brutal article that appeared in Philadelphia Magazine, we're greatly relieved to hear of the news that one of the prohibited uses operating illegally that has arisen in our neighborhood is...
• AGENDA: OCCA DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING September 11, 2010
  Scheduled and reported by Joe Schiavo The agenda for our September 14th Developments Committee Meeting: 1. Lafayette Building - 433 Chestnut (Fifth and Chestnut Streets) Proposed hotel and restaurant (votable issue) Peter Kelson, represe...
• Report: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE - 8/31/10 September 4, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter Kimpton Hotel at the Lafayette Building Our meeting began with a courtesy presentation from Kimpton Hotels regarding the re-development of the Lafayette Building at 5th and Chestnut as a 270-room boutique hotel. The property is u...
• THE NATIONAL JEWISH AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM September 4, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter Slated to have its ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 14th, the museum is winding down the construction of the interior of the building, the displays, and the finishing touches. This is a beautiful building with wonderful...
• DID PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE DO US A FAVOR? August 28, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter On first reading of Philadelphia Magazine's article, "What the Hell Happened to Old City," I was really riled. I have to admit, it didn't get much better after the second or third reading. I wanted revenge. It was the firs...
• REPORT: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE - 8/17/10 August 23, 2010
  Report: Developments Committee Meeting: August 17, 2010By Janet Kalter Philly Bikecab Alliance The first topic of discussion was Philly Bikecab Alliance. Extension of this business operation into the Old City areA was recently proposed to the...
• PART 3: OCCA'S DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE- What We Can and Cannot Do August 22, 2010
  -By Janet Kalter Old City Business Collective (OCBC), Old City Arts Association (OCAA), and Old City Civic Association (OCCA) have only volunteer staff, no paid staff. In Part 2 of this series of articles, the committees that each of these organ...
• OCCA Spring Clean-Up August 20, 2010
  by Richard Stange The Old City Civic Association organized our neighborhood's participation in the City's "Philly Spring Cleanup-Keep Up the Sweep Up" event on Saturday morning, April 10, 2010. The weather was cool and sunny all day - perfect ...
• DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE PROTOCOL August 20, 2010
  Revised Protocol: February 19, 2009     Old City Civic Association Developments Committee Protocol Statement Purpose Consistent with the mission statement of Old City Civic Association (OCCA), the Developments Committee's purpose ...
• STATUS REPORT: OCCA and the ZONING CODE COMMISSION'S CHANGE MEMO August 14, 2010
  By Joe Schiavo The Zoning Code Commission Events and Activities Schedule from September, 2010 through November, 2010, is listed at the end of this article and on the OCCA newsletter Events Calendar. An obvious issue with the ZCC schedule is th...
• WHATEVER HAPPENED TO... August 13, 2010
  By Janet Kalter Bouvier House / On April 9, 2010, Alan Jaffe and Elise Vider reported for Plan Philly that "a preservation victory was declared with the unanimous approval of plans to restore the historic and long-derelict Bouvier Building in O...
• REPORT: DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE - 8/3/10 August 7, 2010
  Developments Committee Meeting of August 3, 2010 The first item on our agenda was One Bank Street. However, the property owner, Richard Moore was late, so we began with the Rasa Vella's presentation of her new business at 22 N. Third Street, De T...
• PROJECT PROPOSED FOR THE OLD PINCUS BROS. SITE July 27, 2010
  Robert Ambrosi Presented Development Project Proposal onJuly 20th at the OCCA Developments Committee Meeting By Janet Kalter Mr. Robert Ambrosi, CEO of ARC Properties, Inc., presented his development project proposal for 401-437 Race Street. T...
• ORDINANCE CONDITIONS FOR 401 RACE STREET July 25, 2010
  401 Race - Franklin Place - Suggested Ordinance Inclusions 1. No zoning permits shall be issued with respect to any property rezoned or any plan of development approved by this Ordinance unless: (a) The applicant shall have first submitted to the...
• Part 2: What Do the Organizations of Old City Do for Us: OCAA, OCCA, OCBC. OCD, and OCFF July 24, 2010
  Part 2: What Do the Old City Organizations Do? Funding and CommitteesBy Janet Kalter  To review the information in Part 1 of this series of four articles, these are the missions of the Old City organizations: OCAA - Old City Arts Associat...
• Part 1: What Does the Alphabet of Old City Do for Us: OCAA, OCCA, OCBC. OCD, and OCFF July 23, 2010
  What Does the Alphabet of Old City Do for Us: OCAA, OCCA, OCBC, OCD, OCCF? PART 1 - Mission and Structure By Janet Kalter This question is often asked - why do we have so many organizations in Old City? - and the intonation changes according t...
• Race Street Pier's Final Public-Input MeetingJuly 20, 2010
   by Richard Stange The Old City neighborhood responded to the invitation from the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation to attend the ‘Final Public Input Meeting for the Race Street Pier'  April 6, 2010, at the Festival Pier. Th...
• FACTS and FIGURES ABOUT RACE STREET PIERMay 22, 2010
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Facts and figures supplied by Laurie Heinerichs of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and reported originally in PlanPhilly. On May 12, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation opened the new Race Street Pier as part of DRWC's new Mas...
• Race Street Repaving Up-DateApril 19, 2010
  Steve Lorenz, the Assistant Chief Highway Engineer for the Streets Department, informs us that the Streets Department is planning to resurface and re-stripe Race Street starting Tuesday,(4/20).  The plan is to start at 12th Street and go east to 7t...
• The Bouvier Building - A Preservation Victory April 17, 2010
  April 9, 2010 By Alan Jaffe and Elise Vider
For PlanPhilly A preservation victory was declared Friday morning with the unanimous approval of plans to restore the historic and long-derelict Bouvier Building in Old City. Philadelphia Historical C...
• Crime AlertsApril 16, 2010
  (ARREST) On Thursday, 04/08/10, 5 AM, two vehicles in the 300 block New St. had windows smashed and a GPS, IPod and XM Radio connector were taken. 6th District Officers Haberle and White observed a male leaning in the broken window of one of the ...
• Comment: A Win-Wynn for Old City April 13, 2010
  Comment:  A Win-Wynn for Old City Some may not agree, but Wynn's decision to back out of the Foxwoods casino deal seems like a real coup for those of us who oppose another casino on our waterfront. Our neighborhood can do without the traffic ...