As a longtime resident of the Tacony-Mayfair-Holmesburg area, I grow frustrated daily seeing what's become of previous attempts to bring public landscape into the Mayfair-Frankford Avenue area. What started as well-intentioned, the concrete planters of the Mayfair Community Development Corp., have detracted from, rather than enhance the appearance of the business district. Poor execution in plant selection and not planting and filling them properly has resulted in a disaster that stretches from Harbison Ave to Rhawn St as they've become unsightly, substitute trash bins. Some of the trees have even been cut leaving two-foot stumps.
Out of concern for my community and disgusted by the obvious politics of the neighborhood civic, I submitted my own grant proposal to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for their 2015 Neighborhood Placemaker Grant, part of their Civic Landscapes Initiative to remedy this plaguing neighborhood problem. As part of my proposal, I offer several different ways to engage various factions of the community to increase participation and pride resulting in the initial execution and longer-term sustainability of this project, not mere temporary fixes.
The following is a copy of my grant Letter of Intention.
Neighborhood Placemaker Grants
Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, January 21. Neighborhood Placemaker Grants offer a funding opportunity for impactful projects that answer the question: how can you make your neighborhood uniquely beautiful through horticulture?
Robert Quartucci Jr
34xx Friendship St
Philadelphia, PA 19149
I am a former Philadelphia Flower Show major floral design exhibitor from 1996-2003, as owner of Designs In Bloom. Sat on the PHS Flower Show Advisory Board for a few years in the late 90's into 2K. Two years, City Gardens judge. Consider Bill Schaffer and Kris Kratt, of Schaffer Designs close personal friends and have worked on their exhibit the last several years. I am a long-term, currently-renting, resident of the Tacony-Mayfair-Holmesburg area for over 30 years, while was raised in suburban Hatboro-Horsham. I have been in the active background of civic involvement projects for the last 25. Served on the Pastorial Council of St. Dominic's RC Church in Holmesburg and Chaired the Art & Environment Committee responsible for weekly and seasonal church and altar decorating, and instrumental in the funding, painting and remodelling design decisions for both Main Church and Adoration Chapel thru the mid 90's into early 2K's.
Currently a member of the Mayfair Civic Association, but not assigned or appointed to any committee or leadership post. Have expressed desire to work with them extensively, but my only contact on this is Jim Ortlieb, Chair of the Clean-up Committee. In Sept of 2013, provided him a 30+page plan of possible drought-tolerant, zonally-suitable perennial plants with color specimen photos to choose either in combination, color, or varied incorporating bloom cycle and winter interest. To date no action has taken place. Recently alerted him as to your Placemaker Grant as a funding mechanism to remedy a highly visible community problem. I am not privy to the inner politics of Mayfair Civic Association, Mayfair Community Development Corp, Mayfair Business Association, TownWatch or the newly-formed Mayfair Clean-up & Beautification Group on facebook or their advancement and endorsement of current office holders or a particular party agenda.
My desire to apply for this grant is to ensure the following project be properly thought-out, funded, supervised and executed, in the spirit of community-service and civic responsibility for the betterment of the entire Mayfair community I choose to call home.
2) What’s your idea? Tell us about your project.
To use this grant money to give Mayfair a makeover reinvigorating the economic and physical environment of the Mayfair-Frankford Avenue commercial/residential corridor by best utilizing existing resources, services and materials through engaging public lanscape design with long-term community benefits and continued civic involvement.
There currently exists along both sides of this mixed-use
corridor, a long stretch of disjointed placements of 50-60 large concrete
planters, approx. 3.5' h x 4.5' sq, and occasional curb tree plantings
extending from Harbison Avenue to Rhawn St. Most of the planters currently
contain a single tree, presently planted far too low, up to 15" below
container rim, and often become trash collection eyesores. A portion are dead
and many not planted to sustain proper growth. Moving some of these to a more
logical and neighborhood-friendly configuration near busstops or pedestrian
gathering places would enhance appearance, creating a more-inviting atmosphere
conducive to business and civic activity. The original installation, while
well-intentioned, was inconsistent in placement and poorly executed resulting
in a negative to community appearance, instead of a positive.
Moving planters and proper replanting of the trees will
require contracting professional landscape personnel or co-operation of city
departments with proper equipment , and thus a necessary budgetary
consideration. Filling all the planters with soil, 12 to 16 plants and mulch
nearly to the rim should help eliminate use as trashcans. Considering their
current condition, soil and mulch will
be a sizeable expense.
Essentially implementing and choosing plant material from
my Sept 2013 plan provides a basic guide for the procurement of plant material.
How that is procured would determine most of the remaining significant costs.
Contract grown? Purchase solely what is available on wholesale/retail market? Delivery?
If installation labor is solely volunteer, material storage from delivery to
installation becomes a problem. One possible proposal could be to work with
Lincoln High School's horticulture department utilizing their greenhouse
facility to either grow from seed or root stock as early as possible in the
school year some if not all the plant material for initial and subsequent
annual installations. Involving students
in this type of project fosters community pride and can help to build on
volunteers necessary to maintain a project of this scale if professional
maintenance is not a budgetary option. The Department of Corrections facilities
on State Rd. in nearby Holmesburg have greenhouse facilities that could be
approached to render their services and meaningful contribution to community. While
a voluntary "Hort Corps" would be the desired outcome, some initial
and limited-continual landscape professional maintenance expenditure is
essential.
Trees already planted into the sidewalk need additional
attention as well. Hardscape or some type of curb-like barrier is needed to
properly remedy these areas as most tree roots are now above sidewalk level.
Then the area surrounding these trees would either be filled in with plants or
a porous permanent surface. Investing in these areas is necessary to complete
the project properly, but is a huge cost variable in execution and longterm
cost factor with either alternative.
3) How will it
impact your neighborhood? (include important factors such as physical,
environmental, social, health, or economic impacts)
This project, done correctly, could impact the
neighborhood on many levels. Mayfair seems currently in malaise, terribly in
need of a visible makeover that could be a catalyst for significant positive change.
Some positive efforts of community organizations have centered on special
events and festivals, but previous more lasting projects, like the planters and
the Devon Theater, suffered due to a lack of forethought and commitment. It is
a neighborhood of changing demographics, ethnically and economically, growing
more diverse. Vacant storefronts, both small and large gradually dot more of the
area. Some attempts are made at new small business, alongside long established
mom-n-pops, assorted type restaurants, bars, bakeries, small specialty shops,
hair and nail care venues of all types, medical and professional offices. Funeral
homes, service stations, supermarkets, banks and drug superstores and bargain
dollar stores are included in the mix of free-standing, row or strip-style
commercial buildings. Serving as Mayfair's "center" Cottman &
Frankford Aves is a mass transit intersection for much of the northeast. All
along the Mayfair section of Frankford Avenue, Septa Rt66 is a major mass
transit carrier extending the El to the city line. Some planters could be used
with Septa co-operation to beautify its many stops. Keeping this thorofare
vibrant with a consistent, well-maintained, attractive public landscape design
will create a clean, safe, pedestrian-friendly environment conducive to
additional neighboring residential and working commuter consumer foot traffic
for struggling businesses.
By reinforcing cooperation with existing business, foster
their involvement in upkeep and/or financial support for continued maintenance
of planters nearby their establishment. Use business association to stress the
importance of maintaining an attractive business environment to attract new business
growth and vibrant economic environment. Encourage the careful, additional use
of potted plants outside their establishments to create a welcoming appearance
contributing to the public landscape for a more alive sidewalk appearance. Solicit individual or residential block
sponsorship of planters for continued care. Acknowledge with tyvek-type hangtag
that's affordable to replace, not cheap looking, nor easily stolen and more
cost-effective than permanent plaques requiring larger donations. The neighbors
taking ownership will hopefully build a stronger sense of community. Involving
youth in the process, either through the students at Lincoln growing the plant
material and taking pride and ownership of the project or approaching other
youth organizations and schools for volunteers. Young people are more likely to
respect the neighborhood and pass that respect onto others if they have
personal stock in the project, hoping to discourage litter and vandalism using
peer reinforcement.
Thorough planning and subsequent execution and timing are
all integral for maximum impact, as is building an essential volunteer group to
assist in installation and continuing maintenance. Formation of a Frankford Ave
"Hort Corps" as a core group working separately, but in co-operation
with Mayfair Civic Assn. and Development Corp. Completing large portions of the
reorganization of the planters is strong visible reinforcement to bring out
more volunteers for subsequent mass plantings to complete entire project in a
reasonably timely manner when using a largely volunteer staff. It is essential
to create the assurance that something is finally getting done! Utilization of
social media to recruit should be easy to accomplish with numerous contact
points thru neighborhood groups already existing.
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| Lincoln students are perennial exhibitors at the Phila. Flower Show. This is their 2014 exhibit.  for a great lesson in community service and civic pride. |
This project, in essence IS the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society's mission to build community through horticulture. First by engaging various groups of the community
to execute or volunteer in a large scale public landscape project, it brings
together a more diverse group of people to work side by side with a common
purpose. Student involvement provides learning opportunities and practical mass
volume growing experience in the horticulture industry. Second, bringing public
gardening into the Frankford Ave. corridor works to provide a more positive
environment in which to live, work, and do business. Seizing this opportunity
for experienced guidance, properly-funded and supported use of public space for
landscape design in such a highly-visible prominent NE thorofare and iconic
location, PHS's contribution would reach an area of the city where you
historically have not had a significant presence and receive expansive media
recognition.
5) Who have you
talked to? How will they help? (include land owners, government
representatives, community associations, businesses, etc.)
I have talked to Jim Ortlieb of the Mayfair Civic Assn.,
and I mentioned his involvement with other Mayfair Community Development Corp
and Business Assn. previously, and am acquainted with some members of their
respective executive boards. I just yesterday spoke to the head of the newly
formed, Mayfair Clean-up & Beautification Group on facebook. Bobby Henon
posted this invite on facebook, so I'm sure he would support the grant for this
project. As would Councilman-at-large, Ed Neilson, whom I've copied this
proposal. St Rep Kevin Boyle has an office on Frankford Ave and would be
directly involved. I have spoken to both newly-elected St Rep Mike Driscoll and
his primary opponent, Dennis Kilderry, during their primary race as to the
importance of improving the deteriorating physical appearance of the area
through better use of the existing planters and had their agreement. In my
daily activities and association with local business operations I have
discussed the issue and found support once properly executed.
6) If you have an idea of costs, let us know. This can be a rough estimate.
6) If you have an idea of costs, let us know. This can be a rough estimate.
Costs to move concrete planters, replant improperly
planted trees, remove stumps and dead trees, correct soil and mulch level
deficiency, procurement, delivery and installation of 12-16 perennial blooming
plants and grasses, numbering 50 - 60 at a rough estimate of $200 per existing
planter,
$10,000 - 12,000. Some of this cost could be reduced by
using student involvement in growing of plant material however the school will
require funds for purchase of seeds and root stock.
There are administrative and support costs to build
volunteer support for installation and maintenance. Costs related to promotion
for sponsorship for continued funding for maintence of project for sustainability.
This could easily add $3,000.
Costs to revitalize the existing curb trees with some
type of retaining border and either surrounding with plants or porous hardscape
adds significant additional varying costs as to the inconsistency of sidewalk
opening sizes and actual number of trees. Even estimating an additional 50
locations at $250 each adds $12,500.
A project of this size could easily utilize the entire
$25,000 Grant you are offering, but with costs broken out, and some portions more
essential to the project, you can ascertain for yourself, there is much room
for flexibility. A grant from PHS of even $18,000 could definitely make
significant change in Mayfair.
