Title
Initiating action to reestablish a neighborhood improvement district in an area that generally includes both sides of Frankford Avenue from Torresdale Avenue to Bridge Street and certain side streets including portions of Kensington Avenue, Foulkrod Street, Gillingham Street, Griscom Street, Margaret Street, Meadow Street, Orthodox Street, Paul Street, Pratt Street, Darrah Street, and Unity Street, to be known as the Frankford Special Services District ("District"), and for which the Frankford Special Services District of Philadelphia, an Authority established pursuant to the Municipalities Authorities Act of 1945, would serve as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association; approving a preliminary plan for and report concerning the District; and authorizing and directing the Committee on Rules and the Clerk of Council to take all actions that are required by the Community and Economic Improvement Act prior to enactment of an ordinance that would formally establish the District.
Body
WHEREAS, Under the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945, P.L. 382, as amended, the City of Philadelphia, by ordinance, was authorized to organize an Authority known as "The Frankford Special Services District of Philadelphia" (Bill No.940683, approved May 27, 1995); and
WHEREAS, Following the Authority's incorporation, and in accordance with the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945, a five-year plan, adopted by the Authority for business improvements and administrative services to the Frankford Avenue business district ("District"), was approved by Bill No. 960233 (Bill No. 88) on July 5, 1996; and
WHEREAS, Bill No. 000541 (approved December 19, 2000) adopted an amendment to the Authority's Articles of Incorporation and extended the term of the Authority to December 31, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Bill No. 010100 (approved April 18, 2001) approved a new plan for the District for certain business improvements and administrative services through 2005; and
WHEREAS, The terms of both the Authority and the District expired on December 31, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Bill No.060957 (approved April 12, 2007) authorized the City Solicitor to file a Municipal Statement of Revival with the Secretary of the Commonwealth in accordance with the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945 in order to retroactively revive and extend the term of the Authority to December 31, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Community and Economic Improvement Act ("Act") (53 P.S. §18101 et. seq.) requires that any business improvement district in existence prior to the effective date of the Act and which is terminated shall, upon its reestablishment, be governed by the provisions of the Act; and
WHEREAS, Council is authorized by the Community and Economic Improvement Act ("Act") (53 P.S. §18101 et. seq.) to establish, by ordinance, neighborhood improvement districts and to designate certain entities to administer programs and services within such districts in order "to promote and enhance more attractive and safer commercial, industrial, residential and mixed-use neighborhoods; economic growth; increased employment opportunities; and improved commercial, industrial, business districts and business climates;" and
WHEREAS, Before an ordinance establishing a neighborhood improvement district is enacted, the Act requires that a preliminary plan for the district be mailed to property owners within the district, and that a public hearing be held on the preliminary plan; and
WHEREAS, Council desires to take appropriate action under the Community and Economic Improvement Act with respect to reestablishing the District for five years to December 31, 2012, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Act for establishing neighborhood improvement districts; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of this resolution is to initiate action to reestablish a neighborhood improvement district in the Frankford area, to be known as the "Frankford Special Services Di