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Streetscape Progress  Thanks to all who attended the groundbreaking celebration for East Falls’ long awaited “Welcome to East Falls” island at Ridge, Midvale and Kelly Drive. It was a wonderful thing to kick off this long-awaited project. This streetscape project is estimated to take about four months. Before the end of 2011, work will begin on installing an electrical conduit and creating the new curbs. Already, you can see that the Sunoco Station has a single entrance on Midvale Avenue (unfortunately, the tree closest to Ridge and Midvale had to be taken down because it was hollow inside and unsafe).
Soon, at the Mason’s building, the curb edge will be transformed, with a new entrance to the small parking lot there. In the spring, the pedestrian island will be installed.
Inn Yard Park The EFDC worked on a committee a several years ago that reviewed potential sites for a new playground in East Falls. Ultimately, the Inn Yard Park, next to the firehouse on Ridge Avenue was the chosen spot for the new playground. Our focus since has been on the overall design of the Inn Yard and making the entrance and access to the playground an enhancement along the busy Ridge Avenue corridor. Our Design Committee has been actively engaged with the Playground group and Fairmount Park. The newly constructed playground looks great! [Ed. Note: On December 3d, as the latest issue of our community newspaper is being delivered, the official groundbreaking takes place.] It is a happy coincidence that the Streetscape Project is happening at the same time as the new playground as it includes new pedestrian lighting and new sidewalks on East River Road (street between Inn Yard Park and Kelly Drive.) Additionally, the “Jersey barrier” at end of that roadway behind the Dunkin’ Donuts has been removed so that the green median is uniform and attractive. Rivage As described elsewhere in this issue, the EFDC worked with the East Falls Community Council (EFCC) to bring two proposals for the Rivage site to the community for input. Then, EFDC provided input from that meeting to the Redevelopment Authority, along with some analysis of the developers and the financial feasibility of the proposals. The RDA expects to select one of those proposals and announce the developer this month. The developer will then have about a year to conduct preliminary activities to secure financing and zoning for the site, with construction to start sometime in 2013. Construction should last about 18 months. This development should be transformative for Ridge Avenue and Kelly Drive, bringing in new residents and small shops to this section, and exciting new life to our primary business corridor. PLCB Store Construction of a parking lot is near completion at the Wine and Spirits store on Ridge Avenue. The overgrown weedy and trashy lot has been transformed to a neat and useable area. With new lights and new plantings on the new parking lot, the state store should become an asset to the business corridor. Plans include removal of the unattractive sign and the installation of an awning with new branding for the stores, Fine Wine and Good Spirits. New Art under the Twin Bridges The artwork under the Twin Bridges is partially installed. The Mural Arts Project needs to secure a lift so that the artwork slated for the higher planes of the piers can be accessed. It has been exciting to see bright colors and little critters pop up on the parking lot side. More three dimensional mosaic components should be attached in the new year as well. [Ed note: The original “sports murals” were pictured on the front page of The Fallser‘s initial issue, June 1994.]
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