Council (and Residents) "Listening"

I attended the first session of Council’s “Listening Tour” last night in the West End. The tours have been widely but poorly communicated online. No attendee, including myself, knew what to expect. Some people were disappointed that last night’s session wasn’t only for West Enders to voice their concerns about West End problems.

They began by letting people mingle and meet their reps and borough officials. One plus: they provided sandwiches and water. Maybe that will bring more people out next time.

Next, the 5 council reps present (Sonya Sanders, Olivia Brady, Valerie Scott Cooper, Hakim Jones and Heather Lewis) said they’d take a limited number of questions from the audience (which I think they should have done at the end instead). The first person, though, asked 3 long-winded questions, in a contentious way, arguing with every answer council reps attempted to give, so only one question was answered completely. The rest of us weren’t allowed to ask anything because we were told there wasn’t time.

The one question concerned 5 council members attending a workshop by the National League of Cities in Birmingham, AL. The questioner wanted to know if tax dollars were used to send the reps to Birmingham. The answer was yes. Personally, I have no problem with my taxes being used if I get better council reps back as a result. I’ve attended conferences myself for writing, music, teaching, etc., and I’ve always come back with more knowledge and insights, not only from the content of the seminars but from being able to network with people from around the country or world. Now, if Council began going to conferences every week or month, that would be a problem worth addressing. Once or twice a year isn’t going to break the budget. If we expect them to pay their own way, we need to give them a bigger stipend for the job. It’s thankless enough as it is. The questioner asked why only black council members went, implying that the white ones weren’t invited somehow (they simply couldn’t get off from work or chose not to go for other reasons). That question was particularly disturbing to me. We don’t need that kind of divisiveness in Norristown. People who try to create an us-against-them atmosphere, especially between races or cultures, are part of the problem, not the solution.

But on to the next part of the program.  People were asked to take a survey on Public Safety using their smartphones. Quite a few of us, including me, didn’t have smartphones, so we were given paper copies. They had this gimmicky app that let people see the smartphone responses cutely animated up on a screen (though I have to admit, I missed most of it because I was trying to give some thought to filling out a paper survey while taking notes for this blog at the same time). Also, paper surveys asked for our names while smartphone users could remain anonymous.

The problem with multiple choice surveys is that you only get a choice of the answers the questioners want to hear. And so often, their answers aren’t the only correct ones or the question needs a more nuanced response. (Example: Do you trust the police? Yes or No. My answer: I listed the things I trusted them to do and the things I don’t.)

For the questions that weren’t multiple choice, I could tell by looking at the screen that maybe 10-15% were giving thought-out replies while the rest were watching the screen and copying what someone else said. But I guess that’s still better than multiple choice questions.

Afterward, they collected the paper surveys (I hope they’re input into their database, but I doubt my non-conformist responses will be). Chief Talbot spoke a bit, then we had a chance to once more speak one-on-one with borough officials and reps, and that may have been the most productive part of the evening.

I give the Municipality a D for this first session. “Listening” didn’t figure into it, though they got a little input from the community. But it was controlled input and the gadgetry got in the way of honest opinions. The data might help a little, but it won’t solve the general feeling around town that Council ISN’T listening. Democracy is messy. As Chief Talbot said last night, he doesn’t mind hard questions. The rest of our government has to feel the same way.

Still, it’s not all Council’s fault. The contentious feeling in that room last night solved nothing (and it was contagious—by the end of the night, I was shouting at people and I went home feeling angry and frustrated). Shouting gets us absolutely nowhere. Leave your contention at home next time, or don’t come.

I hope to be at the next Town Hall. I’d suggest to Council that they do the smartphone thing before questions. Then allow people to discuss the topic without the gadgetry to elicit more honest responses. Maybe allow questions on other topics after that. And let people know on social media that this isn’t a normal Town Hall.

Maybe, Council, what you need instead is “Coffee with a Councilperson” every month in different parts of town. It’s helping the NPD. It might help you.

Egg Hunt, Movie, Music, History, Etc.

Get out and enjoy the holiday weekend.

Friday, the Municipal Offices and the Library are closed today.

Saturday, 10-11:30 am at Christ Church UCC (West Marshall & Noble), Easter Egg Hunt. Egg Decorating, Story Telling, & Egg Hunt. Bring a friend. Bring a neighbor.

Saturday, April 15, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Centre Theater (208 DeKalb), Kids' Movie Club. The movie this month is Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. Children of all ages are invited. FREE. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Doors open at 10 am. For more information and to reserve your seats please send an email to centretheater@gmail.com. Since seating is limited, so reservations are recommended.

Saturday, 7-11 pm at Five Saints Distilling (Main and Green). River Bones Band performs.

Monday, 9 am-1 pm at Norristown Library (Powell and Swede). LAST session for AARP Tax-Aide Tax Preparation Assistance (taxes are due April 18th). Available free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 60 and older. For info, contact Asha Verma at averma@mclinc.org or call 610-278-5100 x0. For more information on the documents you will need to bring with you, visit the Tax Aide website at AARP.org/taxaide, or call the toll-free number at 888-227-7669.

Tuesday, 6 pm at the Historical Society (1654 Dekalb), Reading Your House. Workshop covers introductory topics on historic architecture including: formal and vernacular architecture, regional differences in house types (pre-1850), basic styles and construction techniques from 1700 to 1920, how to measure and draw a house, and how to look around at the landscape of houses in Montgomery County. 2nd session next Tuesday (the 25th) covers researching your home. For information, 610-272-0297 or contact@hsmcpa.org; hsmcpa.org. $25.00 per class for Society members/$30.00 for non-members. Both sessions: $40.00 for members and $50.00 for non-members.

Tuesday, 6:30 pm at Municipal Hall. Council Workshop.

Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 pm, the NPD will conduct Neighborhood Watch Training at the Norristown Library. For information, contact Gina Davies (610)270-0490.

Thursday, 5-6:30 pm at the Historical Society. History of King of Prussia Mall (previously postponed because of the ice storm). Author and historian Michael Shaw, Presenter. FREE and open to the public. For more information contact the Historical Society at 610-272-0297 or contact@hsmcpa.org or visit hsmcpa.org

Thursday, 6-7:30 pm at Norristown Library. Town Hall Meeting hosted by Councilwoman Val Cooper. Sarah Peck and Francis Vargas have both confirmed their attendance. Topics of discussion will include the 1529 Dekalb St property (Tennis Club) and the Montgomery Hospital property on Powell St.

Ongoing through April 29, The Historical Society of Montgomery County (1654 DeKalb) is running the exhibit: Norristown Remembered, The Art of Frank Batson. Norristown native Frank Batson’s paintings are inspired by his memories of Norristown and the surrounding area from the 1940’s, ‘50’s, and ‘60’s. Many of the buildings and places are long gone, but through his art, they are brought back to life. Exhibit is FREE and open to the public daily, Monday and Thursday 10 am-4:30 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 1-7:30 pm. Saturday hours vary. For info, contact 610-272-0297 or contact@hsmcpa.org. The Society is handicapped accessible.

Next Saturday, April 22, 10 am to 3 pm at The Norristown Library (Powell and Swede). Montco Comic Fest. FREE event. Dress as your favorite character, meet local artists and publishers, attend workshops and panels, and much more. For more information, visit www.mc-npl.org/comicfest.

Also, next Saturday is Earth Day. Three activities in Norristown to choose from:

10 am-4 pm, Elmwood Park Zoo, Party for the Planet. Live entertainment and an Earth Expo with over 25 participating vendors of eco-friendly products and services. Requires zoo admission to attend.

1-5 pm at Riverfront Park (1 Haws Avenue), The Norristown Project and volunteers will clean up Riverfront Park. If you want to volunteer, arrive by 12:45 pm, wear long sleeves and pants (there might be early poison ivy in the wooded areas). Work gloves, bags etc. will be provided.

Also from 1-5 pm at Riverfront Park, the 1st Annual Earth Day/River Day Festival. FREE and open to the public. 15+ organizations (including The Norristown Diary) will help you celebrate Earth Day on the banks of the Schuylkill. Enjoy activities for kids and adults like wild edible plants foraging tours by Feed The Burbs (20 minutes, on each hour), a tree workshop by Out On A Limb, a Birding Station and free native plant seeds for your garden by the Audubon Society. Meet Conrad, the Audubon Society's resident bluejay (the 2nd half of each hour). Help build an interactive mosaic with recycled materials. Go on a scavenger hunt (2:30 pm). Learn about clean wind and solar energy from The Energy Co-op (including activities for kids). The Dragon Boat Club will be collecting river water for testing. Free boat rides for anyone who wants them. Food and music. Come reconnect with your river.

Also next Saturday, 7 pm at Centre Theater (208 Dekalb), the play "Right Behind" by Raw Street Productions. Right Behind takes its audience behind the scenes of a restaurant, offering a brief glimpse inside the lives of the people that work there and depicting various extreme behaviors of the patrons. $15 Go to this link for tickets.

Happy Easter and Passover.

History vs. Developers, plus music, theater, and other events

A few important events that should be noted: Ebenezer Methodist Church is now an official historic site. The marker will be dedicated Sunday at 11:30 am. Hopefully that will keep it from ever joining other Norristown landmarks that have been demolished. If you want to express your opinion on the latest endangered historic building, The Erskine Tennis Club, Valerie Scott Cooper will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting with guest speaker, developer Sarah Peck on Thursday. Details below.
 
Friday, Feb 26 at 8 pm at Theatre Horizon (401 DeKalb), "Lobby Hero" continues. Performances this week are Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm. The show will run through March 13. Tickets and schedule at this link. For information, contact Josh Millhouse, 610-283-2230 or go to ticket@theatrehorizon.org

Saturday from 5-9 pm at the Carver Community Center, Apollo Night Talent Show hosted by the Norristown R.e.b.e.l.s. Singers, Rappers, Dancers. Open to ages 5-13, 14-17, 18 and up. Cash prizes. 3 professional judges and 1 sandman.  Contact 484-868-7656 or 484-288-0982. After party also, 9 pm-1 am.

Sunday at 11:30 am at Ebenezer Methodist Church, 234 E Spruce (at Arch). Dedication of their historical marker. Ebenzer Methodist Church has been named to the National Register of Historical Sites. The Montgomery County Historical Society will be on hand to assist in the dedication.

Sunday at 4 pm at Coffee Talk, 507 W Marshall. Blues and Jazz featuring Vince Roggio and friends. Admission $5.

Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Municipal Hall. Council meeting. No agenda yet.

Wednesday, 6:30 pm at Norristown Library, Town Hall Meeting sponsored by Councilwomen Valerie Scott Cooper. Guest Speaker developer Sarah Peck (Tennis Club demolition and development at 1529 Dekalb).

Theater, Sports, Police Town Hall

(Maybe even a Zoning Meeting, if they can get their act together, but don't hold your breath.)


Friday, Feb 19 at 8 pm at Theatre Horizon (401 DeKalb), "Lobby Hero" continues. Performances this week are Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm, Wednesday at 6:30 pm, Thursday at 7:30 pm. The show will run through March 13. Tickets and schedule at this link. For information, contact Josh Millhouse, 610-283-2230 or go to ticket@theatrehorizon.org

Monday and Wednesday, 6:30-8 pm at Eisenhower Middle School, registration for Norristown Elite Track & Field for ages K-8. Also registration on Saturday the 27th at the Bandshell in Elmwood Park from 10-11:30 am. Cost: $110/registration (includes sweatshirt, t-shirt, uniform and track meet fees). For info, contact Mark Benjamin or the Recreation Department at 610-270-0467. Anyone who is looking to volunteer or be a coach, please reach out ASAP.

Also Monday and Wednesday, 6:30-8 pm at Eisenhower Middle School and Sat Feb 27 at the Bandshell, 10-11:30 pm, registration for Little League Baseball and T-ball, ages 4-16. Fee: $120 per player (includes Beef & Beer ticket), $25 each additional sibling/ Late fee after Feb 27 $10. For Further Info Call 610-270-0467 or admin@norristownlittleleague.com or go to www.NorristownLittleLeague.com. They need coaches, sponsors, umpires, volunteers for snack bar, etc.

Monday, 7-9 pm at Montgomery County Human Services, 1430 Dekalb. Free home buying basics class sponsored by Genesis Housing. Learn about realtors, agreements of sale, mortgages, inspections and more.

Tuesday, 7 pm at Municipal Hall, Zoning Meeting. The agenda is available at this link, but frankly, if council still hasn't appointed the vacancies yet, you might as well not go because they won't have a quorum and the people asking for variances will get whatever they want by default. In this way, Council allowed Sarah Peck permission to do whatever she wants with 1529 Dekalb, despite the protests of residents in the neighborhood and the rest of us who are thoroughly pissed off that the Historic Erskine Tennis Club will be destroyed, not because of any democratic vote but because people in government didn't do their jobs properly.

Wednesday from 6-7:30 pm at Evangel Assembly of God, 810 E Marshall. First 2016 Town Hall Meeting for the Norristown Police Department. They'll talk about patrol strategy, review crime reduction and have a Q&A session with the officers patrolling your streets. Invite your friends, neighbors and family.

Thursday, February 25, 5-6:30 pm at the Historical Society of Montgomery County (1654 Dekalb), Lisa Minardi will give a lively presentation about the ongoing research and restoration of The Speaker’s House, the historic home of Frederick Muhlenberg in Trappe, PA. The presentation begins at 5 pm with a social gathering and light refreshments. Lectures begin at 5:30 and last for about an hour with time for questions at the end. This program is free and open to the public.

Meet Our New Councilwoman

Just a reminder to 3rd District residents and any other N-towner who's interested: Third District Town Hall  Meeting tonight at 6:30 pm at the Norristown Library (Powell and Swede). It's a Meet and Greet for Councilwoman Valerie Scott Cooper, who was appointed to council to fill the vacancy left by Linda Christian.

There's still no agenda posted for the Planning Meeting which was supposed to be at 7 pm. I'm taking this to mean they have no agenda items for this month.

Bazaar, Theater, Health, Arts, Roundtable Talk and More

Tonight (Nov 13) from 5-8:30 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, St. Patrick's Church (Dekalb and Chestnut), will have their Christmas Festival of Lights Bazaar in the basement of the church. Kids can visit with Santa and play children's games. Baked goods, tombola, silent auction, basket raffles, jewelry, baby booth, gifts, etc., plus delicious hot food that will include the Davis family's famous soul food (chicken, mac and cheese, green beans, etc.), roast beef and other sandwiches, soups, authentic Mexican tostadas, posole, tacos and more.

Also tonight at 7:30 pm, Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb) continues their run of "Black Nativity," featuring the writings of Langstan Hughes and West African and modern dance. Shows this week also on Saturday, Sunday and Thursday. The show has been extended through December 13. FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE for Norristown residents. Go to this link to see the schedule. For free tickets, call 610-283-2230 ext 1. For info, email ticket@theatrehorizon.org.

Saturday from 9 am to noon at Municipal Hall, 1st floor Conference Room, Norristown 2016 Budget Workshop. Open to the public.

Saturday (Nov 14) from 10 am to 1 pm at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (2 West Lafayette), Montgomery County Integrated Health and Wellness Fair. Health screenings, massage therapy, snacks, giveaways, crafts, face painting, and more. For info, contact Lauren Cruttenden (215) 504-3900, ext 63860 or LCruttenden@MagellanHealth.com

Also Saturday, 11 am-1 pm, at Norristown New Life (3 E Marshall--corner of Swede St.), A November to Remember--Norristown CTC in collaboration with the Phi Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha will be giving away warm hats, gloves and socks, as well as hot chocolate. Families will receive a healthy lunch and tips for making healthy meals and seasonal wraps.

Saturday night, 8-11 pm at August Moon (300 E Main), Second Saturday Jazz presents The Rhenda Fearrington Experience. Sets starting on each hour. 2 drink minimum.

Monday, 5:30-7:30 pm at Centre Theater (208 Dekalb), a roundtable discussion about Norristown's revitalization, hosted by Stan Husky of the Times Herald. The invited officials include Norristown Police Chief Mark Talbot Sr.; NASD Superintendent Janet Samuels; Montco Commissioner Josh Shapiro; Montco Sheriff Russell Bono; Nelly Jimenez-Arevalo from ACLAMO Family Centers; Norristown Municipal Administrator Crandall Jones; the Rev. Gus Puleo; Norristown Council President Sonya Sanders; Norristown Councilman William Caldwell; state Rep. Matt Bradford, D-70th Dist.; Kirklyn Berry, of Norristown Men of Excellence; and Shae Ashe, the founder of the Norristown Project.

Tuesday, 6:30 pm. Council Workshop meeting. The Council meetings aren't listed on the town calendar anymore--not sure why (I suspect that Linda Christian was doing that part and maybe our new president hasn't figured it out yet)--but I did find the meetings in another place on Norristown.org. Here's the link for a list of all the November meetings. Agendas will also, supposedly, be posted there, but there's no agenda for the upcoming meeting yet.

Thursday, 6-8 pm at Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (2 W Lafayette), Valley Forge Room C, 1st Floor. Law Enforcement Explorers Program Open House. Open to teens aged 14-20 who are interested in a career in law enforcement and who maintain acceptable grades. For info, contact Captain Rich Clowser, Norristown Police Department, 610-270-0496, rclowser@norristown.org

Next Saturday (Nov 21) at 8 pm at ACPPA Community Arts Center (506 Haws Ave), come see "Naughty Nutcracker," a satirical burlesque show exploring what really happens in Drosselmeyer's magic box once everybody falls asleep. More silly than sexy, Naughty Nutcracker is a variety show of dance, music, trivia, and fairytales like you've never seen or heard before. For the 18 and up crowd. Doors open at 8:00pm, show starts at 8:30pm. Admission is $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Purchase tickets at naughtynutcracker.eventbrite.com  Food, drink mixers (byob), and swag will be available for purchase before, during, and after the performance. All proceeds support the arts in Norristown!


From now to January 31st, you can get help with Health Insurance Open Enrollment at Norristown Regional Health Center, 1401 Dekalb. If signing up or making changes to Health Insurance, please bring the following: your username and password (if you already have a Marketplace account), proof of household income, ID and SS cards, legal immigrant docs, employers coverage info.

Commissioners Town Hall-Late Notice

Thanks to Linda Christian for sending out information about tonight's "Conversations with your Commissioners" at 7 pm at Norristown Borough Hall (235 East Airy St). So the holes in the information on the Norristown.org calendar have been filled in the nick of time.

This is the 3rd in a series of 6 town hall meetings by the Montgomery County Commissioners, supposedly to give residents of the county the opportunity to discuss a wide range of subjects. However, they publicized this one so late, I'm not sure how big their audience will be.

The Commissioners came to Norristown last year for a similar town meeting.  At that time, they set it up so that residents who couldn't attend in person could send their questions in via the internet. No place that I've checked (the County website, Facebook) says anything about an email or live streaming connection this time, so I guess they aren't doing that again. Disappointed because I probably won't be able to get to the meeting due to not hearing about it in time.

This meeting was very poorly advertised. It wasn't posted on Facebook until just last Friday that I could find. The press release on the County site (link above) was also dated March 13. The first place I saw it listed was on the Norristown.org calendar on Friday, and as I said in that day's events blog, no time was included.

So if you can get there tonight, please go. Ask them why this meeting was a big secret until last Friday. If I can't get there and you want to send me a summary of what goes on, I'd be happy to post it here on the Diary later this week.

Get-In-Touch-With-Your-Community Events, All Week

Did everyone see our first snow of the winter last night? And have you noticed that West Marshall and downtown are now are decked out with big lighted snowflakes on the light poles?  But it IS still fall, which means leaf collection--don't forget, if you want to get rid of your leaves, rake them to the curb for your regular street cleaning day (or put them on your garden beds to compost over the winter).

You can tell the holidays are close, though, because all of a sudden, N-town's event schedule is jam-packed. When you begin holiday shopping, remember that shopping at Norristown's local small businesses is the best gift you can give your community's economy this year.

Tonight from 8:30 to 11 pm is Movie Night at the George Washington Carver Community Center, 249 E. Jacoby St, 610-277-7480. $5.

Saturday from 9 am to noon, Norristown Council will hold a Budget Workshop, Municipal Hall, Conference Room.

Saturdays at 10 am and Thursdays at 6 pm, get in shape at the Step It Up Fitness Boot Camp at the Carver Center (249 E Jacoby) with professional trainer Blayne Pierce. $10. Continues through Dec 13.

Saturday begins open enrollment for health insurance again (frankly, I think it's cruel that they tell you the premium increases right before the holidays--or that they increase the premiums at all). You can get help at an Open Enrollment Event from 10 am to 2 pm at the Norristown Regional Health Center, 1401 Dekalb St, 610-278-7787. Please bring proof of household income, ID and SS cards, legal immigrant documents, employer coverage info, username and password if you already have a Marketplace account.

Saturday, 11am-12pm at the Montgomery County Norristown Public Library (Powell and Swede). Come learn about Diabetes. Dr. Paul Schick, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson Medical College, will present information related to Type 1, Type 2, and Pregnancy Diabetes.  610-278-5100

Monday at 6 pm, Norristown Council will host a Town Meeting at the Norristown Public Library, 1001 Powell Street. The agenda will cover the Montgomery Hospital demolition and development, Luxor at Sandy Street, the Kennedy-Kendrick Project, Lafayette Street Project, the Condominiums at Courthouse Square, Five Saints Micro-Distillery, police update, street paving and Markley St, the budget, etc.

Tuesday from 1:30 to 5 pm at CADCOM, 113 E Main, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s bank examinations staff will provide an overview of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which encourages depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of local communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. All are welcome to attend. To register, click on this link

Tuesday night at 6:30 pm is the monthly Council Workshop, which will include a presentation of the 2015 budget. Budgets will be distributed to the public for their review (Public Comment for the budget will be on Dec 2).

Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 am, Latino Collaborative meeting at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 1605 Main St. Jennifer I. Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs for the City of Philadelphia will speak. Please register via email at Advolifeline@aol.com .

Wednesday, 6-7 pm at the Montgomery County Norristown Public Library--Artful Arrangements for the Holidays: Genuardi Florists will be on hand to demonstrate various ways of arranging your centerpiece for the holidays. 610-278-5100.

Thursday from 6:30 to 8 pm at Montco OIC (Arch and Basin), 2nd floor, the Norristown Arts Council presents an Art on Our Trails Mixer. The Montgomery County Planning Commission will lead a discussion about the role art could play along the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown, and how it could help the economic growth of downtown.

Also Thursday night beginning at 6:30 pm, the Norristown Police Department will hold a public COMPSTAT meeting  in the Norristown Municipal Council Chambers. I went to the last one in August. This is a fascinating look into how our top-level cops analyze crime trends in the borough and come up with effective strategies to fight them. The meeting will likely run at least 3 hours. To submit anonymous tips on crime, call 610-278-TIPS(8477) or at NPDTips@norristown.org.

Every Monday through Thursday, 3:30 to 6:30 pm, NASD students, grades 5-8, can get FREE tutoring and homework help, plus do creative projects and activities at The Incite Institute on the Roosevelt Campus, 1161 Markley. Sponsored by the Men of Excellence. To register, contact Hakim Jones, hjones@nasd.k12.pa.us or call 610-630-5048.

Spread the word to your favorite Norristown businesses: The Norristown Business Association is hosting a "Light Up The Dark" holiday lights contest from December 1 to January 1. Just put lights (any holiday--Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwaanza, Solstice, etc--or more than one) in one of your store/business windows from 5 to 9 pm (or longer) every night during the month. If you want your display judged, you can read the rules at this link. Prizes will be given for most artistic design, most creative concept, most humor, and the display that projects the best image of Norristown. To enter your business, send an email to info@norristownba.org with the Subject Heading “Light Up The Dark.” Include your business name, address and phone #.

One last note: Jus' Java has reopened at their new location (317 Swede, across from the Courthouse). Stop by and welcome them back. (We missed you, JJ!)

Friday's Chat with Crandall

Today I'm going to post the gist of the live chat session with municipal administrator Crandall Jones that took place Friday morning, for those of you who missed it. Mostly, I'll just quote what's there (you can read it firsthand at this link), but I'll also try to clean it up a bit so it's more understandable. There was confusion at first as to where the chat would take place, so the Municipality posted questions from the event page, not always saying who asked them, plus some of the answers aren't for the questions listed above them, so I'll try to make that clearer here.

Also, questions are not necessarily in the order they were asked or answered. Facebook uses an algorithm to put comments in an order it thinks is most meaningful for each user (it never is meaningful, but they do it anyway). So if you go the page to read the original transcript, it will be in a different order on your screen than it appears on mine.

First, Crandall answered a question from Grace Williams about how our tax money is allocated.

Crandall: Good morning and great first question. The great majority of tax dollars are spent on service delivery--Police, Fire and Public Works (streets, parks, etc) are the largest departments. You are correct in noting that you can't find it on our website. We're working on doing a better job with that.

Shae Ashe: Why hasn't there been any additional discussions on paving roads in Norristown since May's workshop? Specifically 1000 of Oak.

Crandall: Actually, there has been more discussion. We put the street paving project out to bid and just last month the Municipal Council approved a $600K paving project that includes East and West Oak. The program will be posted on the website and work actually begins in the next 2 weeks.

Grace Williams:  Along the lines of Shae Ashe's question, will there be more focus on getting last winters pot holes properly repaired before the coming winter weather.... Is it there a plan in place or do pot holes get addressed as reported or put on a list? If there is a plan great, if not then asking residents for input would be helpful. I saw an answer to Shae's question but that doesn't address ongoing maintenance, just a one time repaving project.

Crandall: There is a great deal of reprogramming going on right now in terms of how we handle pothole repair. Council has been very focused on this issue and we are working to improve the process.

Nick Graff: What is the status of all the construction going on on Markley, is it still on schedule, behind? When should it be all done?

Crandall: Markley Street is actually a bit ahead of schedule. The next phase will start early next year and the project should be completed around the end of 2016.

Unknown: Hello. I live in a twin on Swede St which shares a walkway with a rental home. The landlord refuses to put a fence at the rear of his property. Therefore anyone can walk through and leave trash, cigarette butts and beer bottles that I am constantly cleaning up. This is a MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN for me. What can I do?

Nick Graff: Just report them to code enforcement. And I agree, rental houses are getting worse in Norristown, these landlords will let ANYONE use their property and be obnoxious.

Crandall: Correct on Code Enforcement 610-292-8096. We're reaching out to landlords directly to deal with Code issues, both through our New Horizons Collaborative and in how we are revising our Code Department business model.

Grace: When I was working part time I was able to better keep up with the website and other concerned citizens (Elena Santangelo's blog, Norristown Nudge), but one thing I noticed early on is that the Council meeting agendas are rarely posted in a timely manner and if a topic is coming up that impacts my family I would like some time to talk it through with my husband and communicate our perspective to our Council People. Any possibilities to better this process?

Crandall: Yes. I actually thought we had resolved this. I promise we'll do better at getting this done.

Elena Santangelo: With recent developments in the last months, has there been any discussion on how the municipality might identify rental properties where the landlords are not licensed? Seems to me we might be missing out on a lot of revenue, plus having unknown codes violations/hazards to neighborhoods.

Crandall: Yes--one of the things I saw was a bit of "bunkerism" among our team in dealing with property issues--we're actively attacking that mindset and there's now a great deal more of a team approach among various departments in dealing with property issues--both rental and non-rental.

Grace: ...about demolition of Montgomery Hospital...This is not only in my neighborhood, I use that bus stop every morning. While I'm disappointed enough that Norristown as a Municipality took the "it's their property they can do what they want stance" on allowing them to knock it down without a proper development plan & funding in place, we're here now. What does this timeline look like and how will it impact me as a neighbor and also a SEPTA commuter?

Crandall: The timeline is pretty fluid right now. They're in the hazardous material abatement and demolition permitting phase. From our discussions, they are anxious to move forward with demolition as soon as possible. The Municipality always requires that the developer coordinate with SEPTA to insure the least possible adverse impact to riders

Grace: Follow up to that, what expectations have been set to avoid all that goes along with a vacant lot, especially one of that size. The look will do nothing for my neighborhood, but more importantly will the property owner be held accountable for security maintenance, pest control issues that could arise?

Crandall: The Municipal Council, especially Council Member Christian, has been very pointed about making sure that the vacant lot does not become an eyesore. She has named a representative committee of citizens from the neighborhood who continue to meet with Einstein representatives and staff about the intermediate and long-range plans for the site to make sure they are in line with community expectations. Yes, the property owner will be held accountable.

Nick Graff: Is Norristown going to improve on investing in parks and recreation programs, ie. the park could use some refurbishing, having a public pool open in the summer. I see all these other towns with these amazing recreation centers, I go there instead of taking my kids keeping them on their home town.

Grace: Considering what a draw Elmwood Park Zoo is, phenomenal question...the park is just so drab & ill-maintained.

Elena: Would also like to see work on Riverfront and other parks. The Dragon Boat Club is doing improvements to Riverfront at their own expense. Can the town at least spring for some trash cans there?

Crandall: Love this topic! There is lots of discussion going on among Council and staff about parks and recreation in Norristown--even discussion about how to develop a community center. We all know that will take money. We're doing some of the "not so sexy" background work--getting our financial house in order is the first order of business. We are in discussions with multiple potential partners in trying to make something happen. Recreation is now a direct report to me instead of Public Works, because I know it is so essential to quality of life.

Kathy Walsh: When is the new development to start at the old Kennedy Kendrick School ?

Crandall: Hopefully early in 2015. Our development team and I met with them earlier this week--the project is still moving forward--the banking regulatory environment today is really slowing the process

Kathy: Why not partner with Habitat for Humanity?

Crandall: We are partnering with Habitat. Council gave them money a few months back for the Cherry Street project and many of our departmental staff (Planning & Development, Public Works) are working with them routinely.

Tom McGlynn: Many people who work can't come to this meeting. many people who don't work don't use Facebook. can we have a more accessible alternative? Thank you for your time and initiative.

Crandall: Absolutely! The first one will be sometime early November--we'll let you know. Council Members Caldwell and Christian are planning it for the entire Council.

Crandall: Everyone--thanks so much for your interest and participation in this first chat--way better than I expected! You all rock for taking the time to join me.. Have a great weekend!
______________________

That's the gist of it. Facebook, because of their algorithms and because you have to keep refreshing the screen to see new comments and answers, was in my opinion, a really poor choice for this kind of online chat. A Google Hangout or something of the sort might be a better venue if the Municipality considers doing this again. Crandall's last answer refers to a Town Hall meeting being planned by Council for next month, so watch out for news of it.

I do appreciate Crandall taking the time to meet with us, though. Thanks, Crandall, for doing your best to answer our questions despite the confusion.

Crandall Jones and Getting Ready for Halloween

Those 2 topics are unrelated, honest. It's that my brain's a bit addled after dealing with roofers at my place this week, and with jackhammers at a neighbor's house, and other loud machinery violating the noise ordinance last night (I think they were cutting tree roots, working in the darkness with no light at all--I kept waiting for someone to hit a gas line). So, anyway, I've been hiding in the quietest part of my house instead of writing Diary entries.

Today, just a few reminders:  First, tomorrow morning, our Municipal Administrator, Crandall Jones, will hold a Town Hall at 10 am. Come and ask him questions. I for one would love to know why the streets were never fixed after the damage of last winter. Swede is the main route leading downtown from the north and it's a disgrace.  Yes, I know this meeting is at a lousy time for most of you, because most residents have to work. Maybe those of us who go can ask if another town hall can be scheduled in the evening. -- UPDATE--the event page on Facebook says the event will take place "on Facebook", although it still lists the venue as Municipal Hall. Your guess is good as mine.

Second, it's October, which means Halloween is coming. I love Halloween--without it, we'd already be hearing Christmas music in the stores. There are a lot of trick-or-treat events scheduled toward the end of this month, but here are some ways you can get into a Halloween mood early.

The Norristown Preservation Society is telling ghost stories from Selma Mansion on its Facebook page every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from now until their Ghost Tours at Selma event on October 24th. They started last Monday. You don't have to be signed onto Facebook to view and read them. Just click on https://www.facebook.com/NorristownPreservationSociety and scroll down to see the first 2 entries. More info about the Ghost Tours will be forthcoming (or read it on their page).

Elmwood Park Zoo's Boo at the Zoo will return starting this Saturday from noon to 3 pm. More info in tomorrow's Diary, but you can read for yourself at http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/event/142.

The most active weekend for Halloween events will be October 24-26. Besides the Selma Ghost Tours and Boo at the Zoo, you can attend the Halloween Spook-Tacular costume contest at the Elmwood Park Bandshell at 1 pm on Saturday the 25th, and Haunted Woods at Riverfront Park, hosted by the Dragon Boat Club, starting at 7 pm the same night (possibly other activities there earlier too--stay tuned).

So mark your calendars, and start decorating with jack-o-lanterns and ghosts and witches crashed into trees...and oh, how about some fake tombstones with the names of Norristown's worst landlords? Just a thought.

West End Town Hall TONIGHT (plus you can help catch some burglars)

These 3 broke into Selma yesterday. Help us catch them.

Okay, this is short notice, I know, but if you live in the West End and are free tonight, Representative Sanders is hosting a Town Hall Meeting tonight from 6  to 8 pm at the Hancock Fire House, 820 W. Airy.

This was listed on the Town Calendar as a Town Hall with Police Chief Talbot, and the agenda will include the issue of West End violence. Also on the agenda: upcoming events.

I can't get to the meeting, but I hope they also discuss other West End police matters, like break-ins, robberies and vandalism.

The Dragon Boat Club has been fixing up Riverfront Park since the flood, only to have their flower containers stolen, flowers and all. We aren't talking little flower pots either. These are metal trash cans filled with dirt and flowers. No way could one person move them alone without spilling all the dirt out. And yet they've been stolen twice. Really? Someone needs trash cans or flowers that bad that we have to give up having a nice-looking park?

Selma Mansion had a break-in yesterday. The alarms went off and neighbors photographed the burglars as they left the building. The photo is above. If you recognize the people in it, contact Norristown police at 610-270-0977. If you live in the West End and see them, remember, they might break into your house or apartment next so keep an eye out for them.

No matter where you live in Norristown, please help out your neighbors by watching out for strangers on the block taking too much interest in houses or cars. Like the neighbors of Selma, you might be able to help lower Norristown's crime rate simply by taking a quick photo.

UPDATE -- this just in from the Dragon Boat Club. I'm quoting it directly from their page:

"What the Heck !!!!! ok, I must say I am quite disappointed here. I have not decided what to do with the flowers but today I go to practice only to find some one cut the cable and took our John boat. Some on held that boat for us for over two years until we had the monies.We just put the boat in this spot maybe a week ago I am sure It was not any one that frequents the park on a regular basis. Maybe it was one of the bullies that come in break things every once in a while or some one needs some funds so they scrap it. Who was hurt by this? Your kids.Some one knows who took the boat but of course no one wants to say. I have been around the park long enough to know that talk goes on and some one knows. I don't care who took it just bring the dam boat back. Oh yes, it is insured but that is not the point.It's about believing, trusting and respecting each other. I believe in you, I trust you and I respect you. I/we have been in the Riverfront Park's corner for over year. Taking the community out, helping to keep it clean and everything else we can do to help the park, I defend the park and the Riverfront Ranges with everything I have.

"We all know that Riverfront Park did not have the best reputation in the past. I, you and the dragon boat club have been working hard to make a difference and I think we are making a difference.

"I am asking if any of you know who took the boat to please ask them to bring it back. We need that boat to take the community kids out, your kids. It's a safety factor. We may get some insurance monies but it will not cover the purchase of a new boat. Monies that was ear marked for new paddles and life jackets that we were going to purchase because we lost them in the flood.We need that boat along with paddles and life jackets to take the kids out on Riverfest day in September."

Come on, Norristown. Help nip this new crime wave in the bud.

 

Our Latest, Greatest Slumlord

As promised, here's the report on last week's Town Hall with Einstein and Elon. First, I want to say how proud I was of the Norristown residents who came to the meeting. The thirty or so in attendance had varying opinions as to the fate of the hospital buildings, but their questions and comments were well thought out and intelligent. The meeting was exactly what Town Hall SHOULD be -- democracy in action. I wish more meetings in town could be like this, but usually the citizens don't have the information ahead of time to do their homework. In this case, those who attended the first meeting had a month to think about what was said, and it's clear the neighbors from the surrounding block had some discussions as well.

I have to thank Linda Christian, too, for allowing the many opinions to be heard. She began by recognizing a resident from Locust St, across from the back of the hospital. He was in favor of demolition, yet read a long list of hazards that leveling the place could bring, from noise to the effects of masonry dust on lungs, cars and roof paint, to the runoff of dust and debris during storms into the sewers and into Stony Creek. What he wanted as compensation was an exemption from taxes for nearby residents during the months of demolition.

Next Doug Seiler presented a summary of the Norristown Preservation Society's paper that I published on the Diary last Thursday. He showed a plan of the hospital, and photos from other hospital-to-apartment conversions to how the feasibility of renovation, especially if the non-historic building (the Horsey Pavilion) was demolished. He pointed out that renovation could actually be cheaper, given the federal tax credits for historic preservation, and that it could be done in such a way to extend the development plan by only about 6 months. He explained how demolishing a documented historic site causes a denial of federal and possibly state funding for development on that site. He also gave his opinion as an architect that, after examining the buildings from the outside, he saw no cracks or structural defects that supported Einstein's claim at the last meeting that the building was in bad shape and "couldn't be saved." And he pointed out that we should get a say in the demolition and development because our public taxpayer money will be used.

Matt Edmonds in the head of Norristown's Planning Commission. He couldn't be there, but his wife read a letter from him (they live on Locust, a couple blocks from Montgomery). He explained that the process for new development, from Zoning through Planning to Council's approval, would take a year to 18 months, and that Einstein/Elon hadn't yet begun that process. Yet Einstein wanted to begin demolition soon, meaning the building could be leveled long before Elon's plan, or their funding, was approved. Matt advised that demolition NOT begin until Elon had funding, at least, or we could end up with a vacant lot. Though he also said he thought the building should come down because it looked old and dingy.

I got my turn next. I told of my personal history with the hospital, having lived a few blocks away from it for more than 50 years. I told about reading the documentation from the National Park Service and PA Historic & Museum Commission about the site's historic certification and eligibility for the National Register. I also pointed out that if we routinely demolished every building in Norristown that was old and dingy-looking, the Cigar Factory and Scheidt Brewery buildings would never have been renovated. That's what power-washers are for. I said I couldn't understand why Einstein would spend 5 million to demolish the site, after selling the property to Elon for only one dollar, when they could both save money by using the existing structures.

A few other opinions were expressed, in favor of renovation. I got the impression that the majority of those present were in favor, for various reasons: the history of the building, the dangers of demolition, the fact that Norristown's Comprehensive Plan called for renovation of our older architecture, the fact that masonry structures seem safer than 4-story wooden apartment buildings.

Einstein took the floor. They were represented by John Finger, Chief Administrative Officer and Rich Montalbano, VP/Project Executive (who was also at the last meeting). Mr. Finger began by agreeing with my statement that renovation would be cheaper, saying he wishes he COULD renovate, but that the inside of the building was in bad shape. Mr. Montalbano said that they'd placed clear window guards over the 1st and 2nd floor windows, but that someone had broken windows higher than that, causing the cold air to freeze pipes so that they burst and the water shorted out electrical wires. Because of this, they said Einstein had to turn off the water, so that they currently had no sprinkler system, but that they were working with the Fire Chief and HE was telling them what they had to do to remedy the problem.

If Mr. Finger thought this would gain them sympathy, he forgot that he was standing before a roomful of homeowners. They were appalled to hear that Einstein hadn't been taking care of the property, to the point where it created a hazard to the surrounding neighborhood. They remembered Mr. Montalbano saying before that Einstein "wasn't going to spend a penny on a building that's coming down." Several residents mentioned that if any of us did that, the codes department would throw the book at us. They said that Einstein had no business buying a property that it had no intention of maintaining. They insisted that the problems be fixed and the sprinkler system be turned back on.

At some point, while trying to reassure the audience, Mr. Finger said that Einstein had "full-time security" at the site. That raised more questions in my mind. Didn't the guards do rounds of the buildings, looking for security breaches like broken windows? If they did, you think they'd have reported the problem long before the pipes froze. And if there IS full-time security, why aren't they shooing away the skateboarders, who Einstein blames for the cosmetic wall that toppled? The graffiti on the McShea building took more than a few minutes to create--where were the security guards then? What exactly does Einstein mean by "full-time security?" Because they apparently aren't keeping the site very secure.

To top it off, Francis Vargas of Elon held up his drawing of the first building his company intends to put up. It was the same tired drawing he showed us last time, with all the same flaws that would cause nightmares for senior citizens. In the month since the last meeting, no one at Elon took to heart what we'd said and made changes to improve the plan. Audience members who hadn't been at the February meeting immediately saw the flaws and asked, "Why not have a door closer to the street so no one has to walk in the rain? Why isn't there a pickup and dropoff area?" etc. Elon, like Einstein, was obviously not about to spend an extra penny to give Norristown something decent.

Mr. Finger promised to "take a second look at" the idea of renovating the historic building (though he kept ending sentences like that with "but....") One resident wisely asked what "taking a second look" meant exactly. Mr. Finger said he'd meet with Mr. Montalbano and Elon (they were to meet last Friday morning), but he ended that sentence with "but..." as well. In other words, the 2nd look wouldn't be serious.

When Judge Nicholas raised a question, Mr. Finger (exasperated that he couldn't manipulate the audience by this time) said he'd sell anyone the property for a dollar if they thought they could do better than Einstein. Are any developers out there willing to re-use the hospital buildings, assuming Einstein would give you the same deal as Elon (including the removal of asbestos and other materials, and the demolition of the Horsey Pavilion)? I think I can say that the people of Norristown will work with any developer willing to work for us, for the betterment of our community.

What we don't like is having another absentee landlord in town, who doesn't maintain their property, and a developer using taxpayer money to give something we don't want.

One Side of the Issue

I went to last night's Town Hall about Montgomery Hospital and took copious notes, which I'm going to organize over the weekend and report on Monday. This morning and tomorrow I have to be in Haverford early, doing mystery author things, so to make my life easier today, I got hold of the document that Doug Seiler read from last night at the meeting, which was prepared by the Norristown Preservation Society. It's long, but it's comprehensive and should answer almost everyone's questions. For my part, I think NPS's vision for the Montgomery Hospital site makes much more sense than Einstein/Elon's (if you could even call theirs a "vision") and is better for Norristown and the hospital's immediate neighborhood in the long AND short run.

For tomorrow's Diary, I'll try to post that entry later today, or tomorrow afternoon.

Commentary Regarding the Proposed Demolition of the Former Montgomery Hospital

A.  WHY NPS IS AGAINST THE PROJECT CURRENTLY PROPOSED BY EINSTEIN AND ELON:
  1.  Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code support reuse of the facility – not demolition.
  2.  Demolition of a six story concrete building is inherently hazardous and will be disruptive to the community
  3.  Proposed new project out of character
       a.  Building coverage too sparse
       b.  Style of proposed building and its set-backs, are not appropriate for the neighborhood.
       c.  Cell towers proposed across Powell street are too tall
  4.  Proposed new project is not an asset to the community:
      a.  No commercial uses at first floor contributes nothing to the neighborhood
      b.  Too much undifferentiated open space around buildings. How will it be used?
      c.  Minimal parking on site. Long walk for seniors from the garage.
      d.  Phased development and bare-bones approach, is in developer’s interest – not Norristown’s.
  5.  Overall plan may NOT get financing:
      a.  State money is competitive. 
      b. The property is eligible for the National Historic Register and has similar protections under federal and state laws as though it were on the Register. 
      c. The project is an example of “anticipatory demolition”.  This will likely trigger a section 106 review and may also deny the Federal Tax Credit financing.
  6. What’s the Rush?  Once it’s gone, that’s it.
      a.  Norris Theater is a good example.  Old Borough Hall and YWCA are others.
      b.  If financing is not approved, what is plan B?
  7.  Miscommunication about the development appears disingenuous:
      a. Talk of sitting vacant for years is not a valid point.
      b. Talk of building components falling on neighbors is not a valid point.
      c. Talk of biohazards in building making it unusable is not a valid point.
      d.  Statement that it is not historic is false.
      e.  Asbestos is being abated either way, so it’s not a valid issue.
      f.  The claim that it is private property and therefore, "they can do what they want" isn’t a valid point, because:
           i.  The proposal needs zoning relief
          ii.  Public $$ is being used to develop the proposed project.
         iii. The proposal is counter to Norristown’s “Brand” and “Comprehensive Plan”.
         iv.  Einstein has said for years that they will do the right thing.  Council should hold them to their pledge, as it was part of earlier awards of public money  and approvals for constructing the hospital in East Norriton.
      g.  Years of “re-use dialogue” gives impression that this building has sat vacant for years.
      h. The Mission First proposal and pro-forma, was flawed. The floor area was too large for the market, as they were keeping the Horsey Pavilion. The Horsey pavilion doesn’t work for housing and requires a mixed-use approach, such as office or institutional occupants. That fact, combined with Council’s push for the Pennrose project, at DeKalb and Airy, is most-likely why the financing was denied in 2012 – not because of inherent flaws with the notion of reusing the building.

B.    WHY NPS BELIEVES RENOVATING THE EXISTING BUILDING IS IN NORRISTOWN’S BEST INTEREST AND IT IS ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE FOR THE OWNER TO CONSIDER REUSE OVER DEMOLITION:
   1.  The total floor area of all the buildings on the Hospital complex between Fornance, Wood, Powell and Locust Streets is approximately 248,000 sq. feet.  The four-story, Horsey Pavilion, built in 1975, is not a historically “contributing” structure and consists of 65,000 sq. feet.
   2.  If the Horsey Pavilion is demolished and the remaining buildings are renovated to Senior housing, with an adjacent “Life Center” (20,000 sq. feet in old emergency center) and some first floor commercial space (10,000 sq. feet)  the total project area would be 183,000 sq. feet.
   3.  The existing complex has been determined eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, with the Horsey Pavilion as non-contributing.  If the remaining 183,000 were renovated by Federal preservation standards at $200/sf, for a total project cost of $37m, then the project would receive $7.3m in Federal Historic tax credits.
   4.  By abating the asbestos throughout and only demolishing the Horsey Pavilion,  a significant portion of the $4-$5m of a total demolition cost can be saved.
   5.  Renovating the structures will generate many more local, unskilled and skilled jobs, than will new construction.  This is because preservation projects are more labor intensive than new construction.
   6.  The renovation of the historic structures can be implemented in two, or three, phases.  We estimate the total project mix to be 100 to 115 apartments in the six-story tower and 24 to 27 units in McShae Hall.
   7.  The dimensions of the historic six story tower (50’ wide) and McShae Hall (45’ wide) are very suitable to senior housing apartments.  Examples of other buildings, which were renovated to apartments and having similar building widths, include:  Kennedy Kenrick (65’) and Rittenhouse  School (47’), locally and St. Luke’s Hospital (50’) and Beacon Hospital (47’), nationally. 
   8.  Keeping the historic structure(s) has a style and image that fits the community:
      a. The existing building has a front door on Powell Street, that is easy to find and offers convenient automobile drop-off.
      b. Has some retail/commercial uses on Powell Street to enliven and serve the community.
      c. Is closer to parking spaces in garage, especially since the reuse would most likely keep the bridge to reduce vehicle/pedestrian problems.
      d. Builds on Norristown’s “Brand”, which, as stated in the Comprehensive Plan, is “a community that is diverse, has a unique historic town character, and has great access to the metro area via public transit and the regional highway system.”
      e. The importance and impact of working with historic structures when approaching development in Norristown can’t be understated.  It sends a message that the elected officials understand Norristown’s character and inherent assets and are not just “selling out” to whoever shows up with a proposal.  It also improves the quality of life for the existing residents and sends a message to other people, who may not be familiar with Norristown, that the inherent environmental and psychological values of rehabilitating structurally sound, historic, buildings has value.
   9. The existing building is built of the soundest, most fire-resistant type of construction available.  The proposed buildings are to be four story structures of wood studs and trusses, which is the least fire-resistant type.  There have been several spectacular examples of fires resulting from these types of structures being constructed in close proximity to other structures - as would be the case with Locust and Wood Streets.
  10. If renovated, the historic buildings will provide interesting apartments with a view.  Plus amenities in the building, such as the “Life Center” and retail, with nearby parking.
  11. If renovated, the existing cellular towers can remain on the roof of the existing building, instead of being moved and reconstructed, inappropriately, across Powell street on the much shorter parking garage and medical arts building.

C.  WHAT NPS IS ASKING OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND EINSTEIN HEALTHCARE TO DO:
   1.  First of all, to not start the demolition of the hospital complex until after the private and public financing has been approved by PHFA and finalized with the developer’s private-equity sources.
   2.  For Norristown Council and Einstein to honor Norristown Ordinance 125-1 & 2 requiring a 120 day waiting period for the demolition of “key, or landmark” buildings within the borough.
   3.  For local, County, State elected officials and Einstein Healthcare, to recognize that a financially feasible reuse of the existing structure is in the best interest of Norristown.  For those same parties to try and find a way forward that does just that.  In other words, for all concerned to simply “try harder” to save and reuse the historic portions of the complex.
   4.  For local, County and State elected officials to meet with Einstein and develop a financial incentive package, of public/private resources, that can be the basis for a re-bid of the project.  The proposed re-bid would contemplate the demolition of the Horsey Pavilion.
   5.  While the project is being re-bid, for Einstein to abate the asbestos and demolish the Horsey Pavilion, so that when the new project’s funding becomes available, the project is “shovel-ready”.
   6.  As the demolition phase is shorter with a reuse project and as the abatement and the partial demolition may be able to take place while the re-bid and PHFA review is underway, the delay to the overall development may be, at worst, several months.  It certainly won’t be years.

Einstein, Round 2

Here's a reminder about the Town Hall Meeting tonight regarding Montgomery Hospital, at 6 pm in the Community Room of the Human Services Center on Dekalb and Fornance. Yes, it'll probably be raining and you won't feel like going out. It's been more than a month since the last Town Hall, so it's hard even to remember what the controversy was about. And isn't the demolition of Montgomery Hospital a done deal anyway? At least, that's what everyone's saying.

That's what Einstein hopes you'll be thinking.

Let me refresh your memories. At last month's meeting, Einstein (the owner of the property) and Elon (the developer) came in like steamrollers. They said that the hospital buildings weren't historic, and implied that they were structurally unsafe and that the neighborhood was in imminent danger. Besides fear tactics, they sought to disempower opposing opinions by speaking as if the hospital were already leveled and there was no turning back. They kept saying if we don't go along with their plan, we'll be left with a vacant building forever. They also glossed over the real danger to the community--the demolition process--and failed to mention that the new buildings would be made of wood, not masonry.

You all DO understand that these strategies weren't spur of the moment, right? They're pros at this sort of crowd control.

In the month since, the Preservation Society has found documented proof that the buildings are not only on the Pennsylvania Register of Historic Places, but have been declared by the National Park Service as eligible for the National Register. Einstein very likely knew about these documents 2 years ago. Demolishing a historic property like this means the developer can't access federal funding at all, and possibly couldn't get state funding either.

Architects and contractors have looked at the outside walls of the buildings and have found no cracks or other structural defects. A wall did fall down early this year, but it was a cosmetic wall used as a fence behind the Horsey Pavilion. It fell because it had been mostly free standing and not tied into a building the way regular walls are. Also, the Horsey Pavilion was built in 1975, and the construction was not up to the same quality as the older buildings. It's not considered a historical part of the property, therefore it can, and probably should be demolished, leaving more room for on-site parking.

Einstein kept saying the buildings were too many square feet and too wide to be developed. Only the Horsey Pavilion is too wide, and without it, the square footage is comparable to Elon's plans.

But beyond all that, Einstein's and Elon's plans violate Norristown's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code. There's nothing in what they have planned that could be considered in Norristown's best interest, which isn't surprising since nothing Einstein has done since buying Montgomery Hospital has been good for our town. They've taken easy access to healthcare out of the heart of our community, along with one of our largest sources of jobs. Now they want to destroy one of our most historic buildings. Does that sound like someone who cares about us?

So put on your raincoat tonight and come out to hear both sides of the issue, and to voice your opinion.

Converse With A Commish, or 3

Tonight is the Montgomery County Commissioners' Town Hall at Municipal Hall at 7 pm. Yes, it's going to be cold out and you'll feel like you'd rather stay home, nice and cozy, watching TV. But this is important.

Still, if you CAN'T come in person, you can still participate. The meeting will be live-streamed using a Google Hangout at  http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=1759 . You'll even be able to submit questions, but registration is required for that, and a Gmail account is necessary. They're easy to set up, but do it now and don't wait until 6:59 pm or your questions will go unanswered.

You can also submit questions by email to Commissioners@MontcoPA.org . They'll be answered in the order they're received, so again, you can't wait until 6:59 pm.

I'm going to the meeting because I have redevelopment questions. When I attended the Montco Planning meeting a few weeks ago, they talked in a perky, isn't-this-going-to-be-awesome manner about, essentially, filling in every empty space in Norristown with apartment buildings. I asked who was going to pay for the extra infrastructure needed for the increase in population. I never got an answer. Norristown needs homeowners and businesses to increase tax revenue, not more rental properties. Especially when the construction of apartment buildings inevitably means the use of public funds--developers getting rich using our tax money while Norristown keeps getting poorer.

And if the plans submitted by Elon for the Montgomery Hospital property are any indication, the apartment buildings we'll end up with will be 4-story wooden firetraps, poorly designed and cheaply constructed to maximize their profit.

But there will be other topics tonight. Commissioner Josh Shapiro said, "These conversations with the commissioners are another in a series of ways we are trying to keep residents informed about what we are doing," I think we can all agree that most of us have no idea what the commissioners do, or how what they're doing effects Norristown. We think of ourselves as being governed by Norristown Council and have no idea where the county fits into the scheme of things. We only know that, often, Norristown is treated like a poor and not very bright relation, and that we're sick of it.

So please, leave your cozy home tonight and come out to the meeting. If you can't, watch it and participate through the link above.

Too Much Arrogance In One Place

At the Town Hall Meeting last night in the 3rd District, Einstein and Elon/Altman used the same tactics employed by some of our most notorious members of Congress: fear and disempowerment.

The accomplished the latter by speaking as if their whole demolish-the-hospital/build-new-housing plan were already finalized, funded, approved by Zoning, Planning and Council, and loved and applauded by the community. They said they're going to start internal demolition of the historic building March 1st, BEFORE any of the approvals have even been sought, and long before Elon knows if it can get funding. In fact, Elon won't even know if they can get funding before the whole block's been completely leveled. Einstein said they tried and tried to find an economic solution that would allow them to leave the 1934 structure standing, but that it wasn't financially feasible. And yet, they and Elon are spending 4 million on demolition.

They SAID they wanted community input last night, but in reality, they didn't want to hear criticism. They didn't want to compromise. They wouldn't bend at all. They don't want ANYONE in Norristown to feel they have any power to fight against them. They were arrogant and treated residents like children. "Don't worry, little ones. Papa Einstein and Papa Elon knows what's best for you."

And to make sure they got their way, they used fear tactics. They had half the residents in that room last night believing that the hospital building could fall down at any second. They painted themselves as the good guys, removing an imminent danger from the community. But they presented no proof of structural problems.

On the positive side, the only person who got any applause last night was Doug Seiler, a restoration architect who has his business in Norristown. He had in hand documents from the state showing that Montgomery Hospital is considered a historic building and is a candidate for the National Register of Historic Places. He pointed out that because of this, Elon would be eligible for up to 20% in Federal funding if they restored the 1934 building instead of demolishing it. Doug believes the 1934 structure to be sound and able to be repurposed.

When Einstein and Elon said the building was too big to be economically feasible, Doug pointed out that the 1934 structure by itself was about 120,000 square feet and that their plans for new housing was about the same. The rest of the buildings and additions on the property (the ones that really may be a danger, like McShea Hall) could be removed.

Let's look at Elon's plan. They propose 2 L-shaped, 4-story, apartment buildings of 50 units each (almost all one bedroom), with entrances in the bend of each L. A 3rd building on the corner of Fornance and Powell would be a "Community Life Center" which would hold adult day care, shuttles that could take residents to shopping centers, and "other amentities" that were never defined. The Life Center would have a parking lot for 32 cars, plus there'd be another lot for 19 cars where the McShea lot is now. Other parking would be available in the parking garage. Elon said seniors tended not to drive anyway. (My dad drove until he was 80 years old, then still refused to sell his car.)

Elon says these apartments are being built with seniors in mind, but really, they reminded me more of the dorm where I lived in college. Imagine being a single woman in her 70s, having to come home on a rainy night, parking in a lonely garage, taking the elevator down to street level (they're demolishing the bridge), crossing Powell in the middle of the block in the dark, then having to walk another half block just to get in the entrance of her apartment building. (Really Elon? You couldn't put entrances right off the sidewalk on Powell?)  Then after taking an elevator to her floor, perhaps having to walk the equivalent of another half block if her apartment is at the end of the hall. There are back entrances to the buildings, but no place a friend or relative could pick up a resident without blocking the drive or having the senior walk to the car under a roof like they can at Rittenhouse.

One woman in the audience last night asked why the community center wasn't between the two apartment buildings, where the residents could have easy access to it. The answer was, essentially, "We know what we're doing and you don't."

Elon said they designed "independent living" housing for seniors so they can stay in their homes longer (meaning, I suppose, in one of Elon's apartments instead of going into a nursing facility). They said that 62 year-olds are pretty active, so their design was good. They seemed to have no idea that 62 year-olds eventually age into their 70s and beyond and will use canes and walkers. They had no notion that nearly all 62 year-olds these days drive cars, yet many, woman especially, feel vulnerable enough because of their age that they don't want to walk long distances in the dark. They had no notion that many seniors won't leave a beloved home to move to an apartment unless they're having physical problems.

Moreover, Elon says they're building in phases, putting up an apartment building at Powell and Wood first (assuming they can get funding). There won't be a Life Center with a shuttle or "amenities" for those residents. If residents don't drive, the only retail nearby is LeCons Pharmacy. No sandwich shops, no groceries, nothing. This isn't independent living. Depending on funding, they may build the 2nd apartment building next, then the Life Center. Or if the first is a bust, the others may never be built at all. For that matter, they may not get funding for the first. It'll be Logan Square all over again, minus a historic building we could have saved.

But I suspect fear and disempowerment will win out, as they usually do. Residents will be too scared of an empty building, and feel too helpless to do urge their lawmakers to find a better solution. I only ask Council to, please, do what you can to stop Einstein/Elon from demolishing the 1934 structure until Elon's funding is assured.

I can tell you for sure, I won't be trusting Elon/Altman Group as landlords when and if I ever need a senior apartment. And if I ever pass out in your presence and you feel the need to call me an ambulance, tell them to take me to Mercy instead of Einstein.