Community News

Allens Lane Water Main Project

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:03:00 GMT

The Allens Lane water main project began on October 24, 2011, and is expected to run until no later then March 24, 2013. This project is to replace water mains in the area as they have outlived their useful lifespan. The project will be taking place on Allens Lane from Cresheim Road to Lincoln Drive, Allens Lane from Lincoln Drive to McCallum Street, Allens Lane from McCallum Street to Wissahickon Avenue, and Allens Lane from Germantown Avenue to Cresheim Road.

This project is expected to have traffic impacts during the normal working hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and traffic should be allowed to flow freely after those hours. The site will be secured for vehicles to pass over as well as park. The project engineer on this is Carl Jadach, and any questions can be called into their hotline at 215-685-6300. If the customer information reps are unable to answer the questions, they will forward the information to Mr. Jadach and he will get back to those people who need answers.

Gateway Project Update

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:47:00 GMT

The Mt. Airy Gateway project, which seeks to restore the 1901 Stotesbury Pergola at Lincoln Drive and Johnson Streets, is gearing up for a busy fall. The project which began in 2009 has completed the intial phase of clearing the invasive plants and trees from the site, and followed up in 2010 with a second phase of site clearing and an initial planting of native perennials on the west side of Lincoln Drive. All this work is being done in anticipation of restoring the wooden pergola structures on top of the remaining stone piers on either side of Lincoln Drive. The project is an initiative of the Germantown Historical Society in partnership with the WMAN Streetscapes committee.

This past spring, with the help of a group of volunteers from Tufts University and St. Gabriel’s Hall supervised by Parks and Recreation Volunteer Coordinator Dave Bower, the Gateway Committee sponsored a workday in May. Invasive plants and trash were removed, the newly planted bed of meadow species was weeded, and compost and mulch were spread throughout. To add a dash of additional color, flowering annuals were added in front of the east wall. Parks and Recreation staff eradicated poison ivy in midsummer, making the area safer for susceptible volunteers. An informal group of Committee members tends the site.

A less visible, but critical development was Parks and Recreation Department’s approval of pergola rebuilding plans, which were developed by local architect Peter DiCarlo of Levy DiCarlo Partners, LLC. Landscape plans have also been approved so the project can now move ‘full steam ahead.’
Pergola installation is tentatively scheduled for the spring of 2012, but this timeline is dependent on the PENN-DOT schedule for improvements at the intersection. The improvements, which are part of a much larger program for Lincoln Drive, include relocation of the traffic light on the west side of Lincoln Drive. It must be moved from its current location because it is within the overhang of the new pergola.

Donations to the project are critical to its success. They can be sent to West Mount Airy Neighbors with a designation to the ‘Gateway Fund’.
Please contact Pat Moran at jpmpwl@aol.com or Doris Kessler (doris.kesler@verizon.net) for further information.

Recycle All Plastic Containers

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Food & Beverage Cartons Now Recyclable Curbside

On December 14, 2011 the City of Philadelphia announced that food and beverage cartons, including milk and juice cartons, soup and broth, soy milk, eggnog, and wine cartons, are now recyclable as a part of the City’s residential curbside recycling program.

Click here for more info.