Plan Philly: Engaging in Urban Dialogue

City Paper: The Island

On Feb. 4, Riley will debut his newest work at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, at 13th and Locust streets, as part of Philagrafika. His subject is Petty's Island — a 400-acre, fin-shaped piece of land that sits on the Delaware River between Philadelphia and New Jersey. Never heard of it? You should have. It's a place littered with well-known and colorful characters — Pennsylvania founder William Penn, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, a man who declared himself the island's king, and even the pirate's pirate himself, Ol' Blackbeard. It's been the epicenter of a battle between developers, politicians and environmentalists since 2003. It's a place that two endangered bald eagles, guarded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, now call home. And here's Duke Riley, this rapscallion New Yorker, coming down I-95 to do God knows what with it.

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Fox Chase loses appeal to use Burholme Park
By Linda Loyd

Fox Chase Cancer Center yesterday lost its appeal to use 19.4 acres of neighboring Burholme Park for a $1 billion expansion of its hospital.

Commonwealth Court upheld Orphans' Court Judge John W. Herron's ruling last December that Fox Chase is not entitled to lease a portion of the 65-acre public park.

"While we understand that Fox Chase's inability to expand at its present location may have negative economic consequences, this is not a consideration," wrote Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer.

The City of Philadelphia has a "duty" to continue to hold "the property in trust for its originally intended use as parkland."

The court noted the park "continues to be actively used by the public," and remains "popular and important" in the Fairmount Park system. And, the endowment in the trust account left to the city by Robert W. Ryerss in his will dated June 25, 1889, "is sufficient to maintain the park."

The law does not permit a balancing of interests: whether one use would better serve the public interest than another, the court said. If it did, "every donated park in the Commonwealth would be at risk of being leased so that cash-strapped municipalities could balance their budgets."

Fox Chase said in a statement, "While not the news we hoped for, we respect the Commonwealth Court's decision."

"The center at this point is evaluating all reasonable options for expansion," said spokesman Timothy Spreitzer. "It's too early to rule out what is, or isn't, on the table," he said. "Leadership is going to evaluate the court's ruling. It's too early in the process to say whether we will appeal."

Fox Chase, on 17 acres next to Burholme Park since 1949, says it urgently needs to expand to keep pace with cancer care, research, and the burgeoning increase in patients, but it has said it will look elsewhere if the city said no.

The city, concerned that Fox Chase may relocate outside Philadelphia - taking with it thousands of jobs and decreasing the city's tax base - agreed in March 2008 to give Fox Chase an 80-year lease.

Herron in December 2008 rejected the city's request to lease the land.

Herron ruled the park was protected by the "common law public trust doctrine." Because the land was dedicated and accepted for public use it cannot be subdivided so long as it "continues to be used for the purpose for which it was originally dedicated."

Ryerss donated his farm and mansion as a public park "for the use and enjoyment of the people forever."

Contact staff writer Linda Loyd at 215-854-2831 or lloyd@phillynews.com.

PennDOT to Host Open House Meeting to Update Citizens on Plan to Improve I-95/Cottman-Princeton Interchange in Philadelphia

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will host an Open House public meeting on Monday, November 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to update citizens on the project to improve the Interstate 95/Cottman-Princeton Interchange in Philadelphia.

The Open House meeting will take place in the lower-level auditorium of Our Lady of Consolation Church at 7051 Tulip Street in Philadelphia.  Information on the project’s design and local street improvements will be on display, and there will be brief welcoming remarks at 7:00 p.m.  PennDOT’s project team will be available to provide information and answer questions.

PennDOT began construction last May (2009) on the first phase of the two-phase project to improve the interchange and the adjacent local street network.

Crews are currently working on the $31.9 million contract to improve several local streets, including State Road, Cottman Avenue and Princeton Avenue; build two new ramps at the interchange – a new ramp from State Road to I-95 South and a new northbound on-ramp from Milnor Street; and replace utility lines.  This first construction phase is scheduled to finish in May 2011.

Phase two is in final design and construction is expected to start in mid-2011.  This phase consists of rebuilding 1.4 miles of I-95 between Levick and Bleigh streets; reconstructing seven bridges on I-95; eliminating lane drops (i.e. 4th lane) on the highway; and adding a new southbound on-ramp from Cottman Avenue. 

More information on PennDOT's ongoing program to improve I-95 in Philadelphia can be found at www.95revive.com.

PennDOT reminds motorists to log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on I-95 and other major highways before heading out.

Visit the 95 Revive website at: http://www.95Revive.com
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