Our major corridors and access routes to Center City: North Broad St. and Old York Road, are unattractive, blighted and poorly maintained. This contributes to a feeling of being unsafe as we travel through our Philadelphia neighborhoods outside of Center City. Our 'quality of life' is greatly diminished once we leave our East Oak Lane neighborhood. The community tends to cross County lines to shop, pursue fitness opportunities, and many times- permanently move because of the major greening difference and better maintenance that occurs along Old York Road once you cross the border into the Suburbs. Many suburbanites we know also complain that it is difficult to attract new home owners to the area because of the unnattractive commute to Center City.

We propose that a comprehensive design plan be implemented at the 2 major Gateways: Cheltenham Avenue & Old York Rd., as well as the Roosevelt Extension at Broad St. The beautiful Vine St. Expressway project would be a great model. There is opportunity for eliminating the chainlink fencing on our bridges (and all along Broad St.), replacing them with more stately fencing, and creating build-outs on the bridges for plantings. The busy and unsightly intersection at Broad and Olney could also be planted with rows of trees in the center medians and on either side of Broad. SEPTA should partner with the City and install attractive, well designed trash receptacles at its many bus stops along these corridors, that are maintained regularly. Charming light fixtures can also be added at Broad & Olney, as well as along Broad and Old York Rd., from Godfrey Avenue to 69th Avenue (the end of the business district).

Ultimately, the community here is looking for a "unity of design approach" that welcomes travellers to Philadelphia through our "Northern Gates," and along these major corridors. This would have a profound affect on so many Northern neighborhoods. The crime is most rampant on either side of Broad, so a well maintained attractive corridor would be very effective in changing this current state. It would certainly attract more quality businesses that are better serving the needs of the communities- currently strorefront churches, car dealerships and detail shops with chain link fencing, as well as businesses and homes with poorly maintained facades. Adding beautiful landscaping, planting more trees, and adding designer trash receptacles and lighting would dramatically step up every neighborhood's level of expectation for nicer facades for homes and businesses, and encourage greater personal responsibility for maintained properties along the corridor. It would also certainly help to create a higher standard for behavior for the residents of our many Northern neighborhoods.

Thank you for your consideration. The folks of East Oak Lane are thrilled to be a part of any 'cleaning and greening' movement underway that might improve the health and well-being of our fantastic Northern Philadelphia neighborhoods!

Kelly McShain Tyree
President
Oak Lane Community Action Association