Thursday, February 18, 2021

CCRA Newsletter

  Center City Residents' Association | 1900 Market St, FL 8, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Call Us Today:
215.546.6719
Weekly E-Newsletter - February 18, 2021
News And Updates
Feeling Bullish? Do I Hear ‘Sanguine’?

From deep within the Winter of Our Discontent, we took a good long walk throughout Center City late Sunday morning. It was a lovely day – Valentine’s Day – and there were more folks out and about than we’d seen in quite some time.

And while perhaps it was our imagination – always a possibility -- the tone on the street seemed different. For lack of a better term, it seemed “lighter.” The familiar grim heaviness appeared to have abated.

People were out enjoying themselves together, laughing, having fun(!). The great corridor of restaurants along Sansom between 15th and 16th was especially festive. More of that!

After all:
  • Vaccines are here
  • ‘Normalcy’ appears to have returned
  • Spring is coming

Hey, works for us.
Useful Links
Our Sponsors:
THIS MONDAY!
CCRA Public Meeting for 2300 Market Street Project

Lupert-Adler Properties is proposing to develop the three properties on the south side of Market from 23rd Street to the Aramark Building. A public hearing to review the project and seek input will be held via Zoom on February 22nd at 7 pm. The Zoom meeting can be accessed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82127029584
CCRA Zoning Committee Meeting Canceled
Tuesday, February 23

Next scheduled zoning meeting is Tuesday, March 23, 7pm
Update from the 9th Police District
Here's an update from the regarding the new Bicycle Taskforce, the homeless service detail, social services coordination, drug activity, and springtime goals.  Read more on our blog.
CCRA Board OK’s Support for New Development at 2012-18 Chestnut
After a public meeting and public comments, the CCRA board, at its February board meeting, voted to support a negotiated Community Benefits Agreement for a residential tower with workforce housing at 2012-18 Chestnut Street. The 162-unit apartment building will feature 20% affordable workforce housing targeted toward working professionals. For details, see the Community Benefits Agreement here.

The pic shows the "before" and "after" views of the building/rendering. 

Wanted Now: Board Member Candidates
CCRA is looking to fill several Board seats for our fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021. Board members generally serve a term of 3 years. The Board is a working Board. We are seeking CCRA members who have a passion for living in “CCRAville;” are interested in issues of quality of life and community service; and are committed to active Board participation. Successful candidates must serve on at least one committee and agree to fulfill the responsibilities set forth in our Board Pledge, which includes devoting at least four hours per month on CCRA activities, not including time spent attending, and preparing for, monthly Board meetings. Click for full Board Pledge and List of Committees.

Interested members are encouraged to forward a statement of interest that includes a summary of qualifications, as well as a resume or bio, by Friday, March 19 to: centercity@centercityresidents.org, with "Board Candidate" in the subject line. (We also welcome your suggestion of any individuals who reside in CCRAville who you believe would be assets to the Board. Be sure to include their email address and/or phone number.)
Clean, Safe, and Green
According to Haley Jordan, project lead at the city's Office of Sustainability, "As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we've seen 25-50 percent increases in trash and recycling tonnage curbside due to more waste being generated at home." 
 
There are many ways you can help. First, recycling "right" - making sure to rinse containers and checking the list of recyclable materials According to the City of Philadelphia, "' 'wrong' recycling is actually worse than not recycling at all. It contaminates the recycling stream which not only ruins good materials and damages equipment—it endangers our recycling workers. And it only takes one bad bin to ruin a truckload of good recycling."

COVID-19 Updates
Community Info and Events
Tonight - Pandemic Pivot: Bouncing Back from COVID-19
In honor of Black History Month, the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME) is hosting a collection of three events for its bi-monthly My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Action Academy.

The Black Generational Wealth Series includes three financial empowerment events, held weekly throughout February 2021. The goal is to empower Black men with the tools and resources needed to obtain and maintain generational wealth.  

You can watch the full recording of Part I, Wealth: Where the Real Money Resides on OBME's Facebook Page here.
Minority Status Urged for LGBTQ-owned Businesses
Newly-appointed Commerce Director Michael Rashid is being urged to have LGBTQ-owned businesses recognized as minority-owned businesses. Such a designation would qualify business owners for government contracts and resources. Thus is the case in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and New York City as well, but not yet Philadelphia.
Destroyed by Fire? Closed by Pandemic? Bridget Foy’s Got This
Literally rising from the ashes, Bridget Foy’s beloved South Street restaurant re-opened on Feb. 12 after being completely destroyed by a fire four years ago. As for that pesky pandemic, to survive during construction, the eatery ran a comfort-food pop-up under the original name of East Philly Café. See you on the outdoor patio in Spring!
Dollars to Donuts: Federal Donuts to Close, Relocate, Re-open
Finally, an eatery closing NOT due to the Coronavirus. The Federal Donuts at 1624 Sansom is closing Feb. 24 because the parking garage to which it is attached is being demolished. Good reason. Even better, it will re-open within weeks to a temporary TBD location on Sansom, after which the plan is to relocate to a permanent Rittenhouse location on Sansom. Whew!
Give PWD your feedback for a chance to win $100
The Phila. Water Dept. is conducting its yearly customer feedback survey. It gives them an up-to-date look at how you feel about the water and services they provide. Plus, you can enter to win a $100 gift card.
Share Your Business Savvy with SCORE Philadelphia
Join SCORE Philadelphia's talented team of retired and semi-retired volunteers committed to educating, mentoring, and supporting Philadelphia's start-up, entrepreneur-based, and minority businesses. SCORE Philadelphia, one of 330 chapters of SCORE National, has experienced significant demand due to COVID-19. Help provide information in starting a small business and assist existing businesses to pivot their operations during this unprecedented time.
Philadelphia set to debut first-ever raised concrete bike lane in spring 
Although it’s covered with snow right now, Philadelphia is preparing to debut a 2-mile stretch of American Street as the city’s first-ever elevated concrete bike lane. 
CCRA Merchant Partner Discount/Promotion Program

Please support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount or promotion to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification.

Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311)
Seafood Unlimited, 270 S. 20th St (215-732-3663) (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
The Bake Shop on 20th, 269 S. 20th St. (215-644-9714)
Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215-546-7889)
Veda Modern Indian Bistro, 1920 Chestnut St, (267-519-2001)
Alimentari Restaurant at Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, 2nd Floor 
Astral Artists - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their virtual concerts.
Blue Sole Shoes, 1805 Chestnut St, (215-496-9244)
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, (uses a separate card, see info here)
Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)
East West Acupuncture, center city office closed, but you can use the 10% discount at her Narberth office (415-758-1057)
Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937)
Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd St, (215-546-1479)
Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769)
Liberty Pet Vets, 265 S. 20th St (888-458-8587
Mlkmn, - Use code CCRAMlkmn receive free membership
Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554)
Photo Lounge, 1909 Chestnut St (267-322-6651)
Raven Lounge, 1718 Sansom St. (215-840-3577)
1900 Market St, Fl 8
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.546.6719

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