PGW has wrapped up work. I called yesterday to verify that. it was an oversight on their part that the taco truck is using to hoard 3-4 spots, 24 hours per day.

The pipes were moved to the sidewalk on Sunday night by angry neighbors. On Monday the taco truck literally sat in the parking lot and waited for cars to move. Once they did, the truck put the pipes back in the road, blocking three more parking spaces (including the one the truck is taking up.)

UNREAL.

I agree about the double parking - it's pure lawlessness down here. We've tried calling the cops to get the double parkers ticketed, with no luck. It's time Bella Vista and P. Square residents stand up and demand that Washington cleans up it's act.

The area could be so much better. I live so close to washington and I bought my home almost 10 years ago. I get discouraged because most changes seem to have been made south of washington. The East passyunk area. I feel like washington and the italian market area were basically skipped over. Now there is so much going on in Fishtown and other areas, I fear that not much will happen right away in my area. I've waited--its been 10 years so I won't wait much longer. It could really be so much better. I've written to so many people, asking that more be done. I've been to meetings and again, everything seems to focus on south of washington. The new proposed business structure that is planned for the south corner of 9th and washington isn't appealing to me at all--it is rather cheesy honestly. The market is an important part of history, being the first outdoor market etc. Why not close 9th street, between Washington and Christian to vehicular traffic on Saturdays from say 9-4. It is a shame that you can't sit outside, enjoy a coffee without a big hot septa bus buzzing by. there is no reason for buses and other vehicles to go down 9th on sat. Deliveries could be made before 9 and buses can detour one block. I know this isn't the forum for this discussion but there is just a lot that could be done to spruce up the market without taking away how it looks. I know people like the look of it, the grittiness and I respect that, but a few changes could really make it better.

Now these pipes have been dumped behind the CVS / Sherwin Williams buildings along with other trash. PGW never removed them from the site, and now they are just part of the trash that is building up behind this property. (There is an entirely different thread on See Click Fix about this particular Sherwin WIlliams.)

The area needs addressing, starting with the ugliest bulding in Bella Vista, at the Northeast Corner of 10th and Washington. the Mattress eyesore. As the "blight go to" guy for BVTW for nearly a decade, I can help if you want to start. Call me at 215 574 5050 or email me at joepalmer@comcast.net. My company took over the old VFW at 753 S 8th st and rehabbed it; and if we can fix that we can fix anything!

I've talked to both the lawyer of the property owner AND the Sherwin William's regional rep and nothing changes. Joe - I'll email you their contact details. This has been an ongoing battle between me and their store for the last two years. I'll often go into the store and say, "Hey Guys, can you send someone out to pick up the accumulating trash?" and the SW employees look at me like I have three heads. It's not rocket science. (And yes, I've reported the graffiti and it has remained on the 10th street side for three months. Graffiti on a paint store? That mattress has been there for four weeks!)

CR I will meet with you down therea t your convenience and we can map out a plan to get this done JP

Joel, I'd be very happy to join this meeting and hear your thoughts; send me a message. I agree completely that the area around the Market could be vastly improved -- I think things are getting a lot better around here thoguh, pearlgrl -- Christian St has been improving dramatically even since I moved here 2 years ago, I'd say. But more could be done, for sure. And the trash situation really really needs to be addressed. There is so much trash on the streets it brings down the whole neighborhood. Frankly I think we need some kind of Business District status to allow us to hire street cleaners. The Market produces an incredible amount of trash, as does Washington Ave, and it all blows up the numbered streets when it gets windy. Major eyesore and everyone comments on it when they come to our neighborhood. It's holding back the whole neighborhood, I think.

Washington needs street-level retail and restaurants if it is going to become more pleasant. And a green median for pedestrians is desperately needed.

ZLL please call or email me and we can gte this rolling. JP 215 574 5050 or joepalmer@comcast.net

Hey Guys - some of our neighbors would likely get involved. We floated the idea of starting a "Clean Bella Vista" initiative that businesses would get a window decal if they committed to daily trash / litter removal. We actually had a few meetings about it but never got it off the ground. I emailed Joe and I'd be interested to meet to talk about how we could improve not only BV, but the entire Washington Ave / Italian Markets corridors. Keep me posted...

And ZZL - I totally agree about Washington needing a green median. It would also help with all of the illegal double parking and dangerous driving on Washington Ave. (Another one of my posts is about the need for traffic lines and pedestrian crossings to be repainted on Washington.

About Washington: this is not an impossible dream, I think. See here for info about the city's plans for Spring Garden, for instance: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/12/05/pennsylvania-environmental-council-is-working-on-a-plan-to-reimagine-spring-garden-street-as-a-green-mixed-use-hub/

Washington is another street that goes completely east-west between the rivers and could be similarly reimagined to incredible benefits for the city. Everything that's said about Spring Garden here is true of Washington as well, and imagine how much a pedestrian-friendly, beautiful, and environmentally responsible Washington Ave would do to connect South Philly to BV and Queen Village, and thus to Center City.

There is a Master Plan for Washington and we need to get people informed and active to make it happen. There are ZERO cost steps that can be used to jump start this; Parking and traffic is just one!!

Also I was picking up a prescription at CVS last night and the tubing that was left on Washington Ave near the food truck is now in the back of CVS--so the business owners had to move it and now it is back there by their dumpsters. What a mess--PGW is a disgrace because they have left their junk all around. Left for others to pick up.

Just noticed that CR posted about the trash now being behind CVS!

If someone in the neighborhood can host a brie meeting (or at a local coffee shop). I will organize the group, get this going and see it through JP 215 574 5050 Alos if you want to launch a bigger effort on Washington, we can start that as well

I'm up for a meeting! Joel - I emailed you last night. (Check your spam if you didn't get it.) Let's make this happen... I searched the interwebs for a Master Plan for Washington and I couldn't really find much. I'm excited to hear what you've heard.... Perhaps we could all meet at Shot Tower or Chapterhouse sometime?

Please email me at joepalmer@comcast.net; we will set seomthing up this week or next. I just emailed the CEO of PGW

I just sent the following to PGW CEO
Dear Mr. White

I am writing to ask for your assistance.

PGW work crews (contractors) have left a large quantity of yellow piping behind two locations in Bella Vista.

The locations are behind two stores (Sherwin Williams and CVS) located at the corner of 10th and Washington and 11th and Washington respectively in Bella Vista 19147.

The pipes were discarded next to dumpsters, in the rear behind the store, and have been there for months. Perhaps they were overlooked by the work crews?

In any event, would you please have your staff arrange a cleanup of all PGW materials behind d these two stores?

Thank you

We finally just pestered PGW to get the pipes. (Thanks Joel.)