Brewerytown

After a brief cooling off period, we just had to round things out with the second part of the whimsical musings of some of our newest 'urban pioneers'. Welcome to Philadelphia (and kids, watch out for the anthrax ;) )!

This is the first installment of the most recent addition of the newsletter of the African American Business and Residents Association in Brewerytown. They have uncovered some of the pro-gentrification bloggers in the city and have tracked their conversations which are reproduced here, preceded by AABRA;s own community strategy as well as some basic background information.--------

While most new residents in North Philly live in peace with their neighbors, AABRA has uncovered an insidious network of other newcomers who are anti-community soldiers in the campaign to replace the poor of North Philly with the upper-income. Curiously, they have been documenting their contempt for North Philadelphians – and plans for your home – even as they smile at you in public. Today, we invite you to crash their secret party. Special Edition.

petition.doc AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (AABRA) One Voice, One Future 3117 Master Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121 (215)769-3333

Facts and Concerns about Clarke's Bills: 060901 and 060902 Presented at Community Meeting on January 25, 2007, Songhai City Cultural Center "A Great Space for Personal, Entrepreneurial and Community Development"

URGENT URGENT URGENT

You are invited to a meeting to build opposition to a dangerous bill recently introduced by Darrell Clarke (060902) that affects all communities in the city. There will be a hearing on February 7th, unless we act now. (We also need to oppose a companion bill, #060901.)

WHO's Invited: Community activists of all political persuasions from around the city

WHERE: Songhai City Cultural Center, 3117 Master Street, 215-769-3333

WHEN: Thursday, January 25, 2007, from 6:00 PM thru 7:30 PM

The City Planning Commission when they meet this Tuesday will review a proposal by Darrell Clarke to rezone 2 areas within his district. One area is directly adjacent to the Westrum development and includes the community center of the African American Business and Residents' Association. Below is Al Alston's (of AABRA) research on the matter:

Folks,

I want to alert you to two dangerous bills introduced by Darrell Clarke. They are the latest blows by the pro-developer contingent in the ongoing gentrification wars in Philadelphia and we simply cannot let them pass if we want to stay in our communities. 1. There will be a Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday at which these bills will be discussed. I know it's short notice (we just learned about these bills early this morning!), but it's worth attending. The meeting will be at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, 1/16/2007, in the 18th Floor Conference Room (Room No. 18029) at 1515 Arch Street. Make sure you bring your drivers license or PA Identification; you'll need it when you sign in at the security desk.

Posted on Thu, Jan. 04, 2007Street violence: A mayor's legacy

Editor's note: This op-ed was submitted by the board of the African-American Business & Residents Assn., Peggy Martin, Margaret Morris, Al Alston and Sheila Murray, and Frank Hailey, the acting executive director.

WHEN A YOUNG African-American male was shot outside the new Pearl Theater on Dec. 7 - just two days after it opened - the local media, including the Daily News, and elected officials characterized that act of violence as symbolic of a neighborhood complicit in its own demise.

According to Mayor Street and District Councilman Clarke, North Philadelphians need to make a decision: Embrace and celebrate new developments like the Pearl or be condemned to the unpleasant conditions that have imprisoned them for the last 50 years.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

This from Al Alston:

In case you missed this, there is big trouble at the "non-profit" Brewerytown CDC. And, our sources tell us that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/16331806.htm

-From the December Newsletter of the African-American Business and Residents Association in Brewerytown

At a time when the city and wealthy developers are creating conditions for the removal of current residents from this historic corner of North Philadelphia, a 40-year Brewerytown resident has saved his home from foreclosure. This is the story of how he was victimized, how he survived, and how you can protect your home.

Below are four short video clips that are from the film "All for the Taking" by George McCollough, released earlier this year (available at Berkeley Media) These clips are deleted scenes that did not make it into the final cut of the film due to length considerations.

RDA Takes 132 More Properties

(taken from the most recent newsletter of the African American Business and Residents Association in Brewerytown)

On July 11, 2006, the RDA Board of Directors voted to condemn (seize via eminent domain) 132 properties in Brewerytown, Strawberry Mansion and other parts of North Philadelphia. Unless their owners fight the condemnation within approximately 30 days, the RDA will succeed in paying as little as $1,000.00 per lot, instead of the more realistic price of $25,000.00 - $100,000.00 per lot.

It is imperative that anyone reading this examine the list of addresses seized by the RDA and let the owners know that their options to protect their personal property are fast expiring. AABRA can assist once the owners are located. As a fundamental strategy, we recommend that all owners file preliminary objectionsand force the RDA to deal with 132 different cases simultaneously. They will likely commence negotiation.