In attempting to track down the status of the Rec Center project, I spoke last week to Rick Tustin, Director of the City's Capital Program Office. I found Tustin thanks to the efforts of one of my intrepid neighbors, who had contacted the Capital Program Office last summer to inquire about the delays with the project. Back then, Tustin replied with a friendly letter explaining the delay was a result of the general contractor's "ongoing disputes" with the city's design consultant. You can read Tustin's letter on the forum of the Passyunk Square Civic Association.
Okay, fast forward, as they say, to five months later - in other words, RIGHT NOW - and we're still waiting for action in terms of construction.
Nevertheless, I have to admit, I was impressed with Tustin. First, he returned my call within 24 hours. Second, he didn't try to pass responsibility for this situation on to someone else.
"I can't do anything but apologize," he said. And while he said that, I couldn't help but feel that he's one guy on this project who really hasn't anything to apologize for.
He also admitted he hadn't read this blog, but of course he didn't apologize for that.
As he explained, of the 200 projects that his office oversees, there are currently only about four that are problematic - and Columbus Square is one of the four. So a ninety-eight percent success rate is pretty good news for Philadelphia, even though it hasn't been such good news for Columbus Square.
Tustin then went on to explain that last week he met at the site with the general contractor, the architect, and others, including community reps (including the indefatigable Susan Petrone) in an effort to keep the project moving. That would have been the same day I posted my photo of the "Contractor Sighting."
He anticipates that the Rec Center construction itself will be finished in May. The problem right now is that the roof - which any passer-by can tell you - needs to be completed. Actually, before it's completed, it needs to be repaired. They can't build anything inside because it'll get rained on through the roof. I do hope that inclement winter weather doesn't become yet another excuse for why the roof hasn't been repaired and completed.
But the good news here is that Tustin believes that the project will be completed in May. I mentioned this to one of my neighbors and, naturally, she replied, "Yeah ... May of what year?" Can't blame people around here for some skepticism, can you?
Additional good news from Tustin is that the City has granted a contract to a landscaping contractor, so that the landscaping around the Rec Center - including a new playground and dog run - will already be in the works as work is completed on the building. As Tustin put it, "I'm looking forward to turning over the keys on this project."
Let's hope Tustin is right. With completion of this project, he could bring his Office's score up to almost 99 percent for the year. As a civil servant with 33 years on the job, I'm rooting for him. If you think your job is a headache, just imagine what he has had to put up with.
But whatever anyone has to say about this project, I'll continue to keep an eye (behind my camera) on it and report on developments here. Along those lines, I recently discussed the project with the its architect, Lisa Armstrong of A K Architecture. I plan to provide some of her perspective on the project in future postings. Armstrong did the design of the impressive Lloyd Hall recreation center at the end of Boat House Row. There's no question that her design is light years ahead of the former recreation center on 12th Street. Now, if only they would finish building it.
Columbus Square in the News?
Word around the Square is that there's upcoming coverage on the Rec Center project in the local news media. Odd, this just two weeks after the start of this blog. I'll add a link here to any coverage in other media, but remember - you read it here first!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
Contractor Sighting!
Okay, maybe this isn't in quite the same class as a sighting of the supposedly extinct ivory-billed Arkansas woodpecker, but, hey, it's pretty exciting, I think -a contractor observed at work on the Recreation Center!
I first spotted his pickup truck, parked with the two passenger side tires on the sidewalk, the other two in the street, partly blocking the right traffic lane on 12th Street. I love that "I can park anywhere" attitude.
I walked up to him and introduced myself, as he retrieved some tools from his truck. He eyed me a little uneasily, and didn't return the introduction.
"Are you the general contractor?" I asked. (Word was already all over 12th Street that the General Contractor was at the site.)
"Yep," he replied.
"Well, It's great to see you," I said. He didn't seem to warm to my cheery, enthusiastic tone. Perhaps to his ear it sounded like an accusation that we had seen far too little of him around the neighborhood during the past year.
"You know, this project has been going on for quite a while," I ventured.
"Yeah, I'd rather not say anything about that," he replied, with one of those shrugs that's filled with implication. Like you've just asked some guy about the nasty fight he had with his wife last week, and he shrugs, indicating that although it was unpleasant, he doesn't attach much significance to it.
"Do you think you'll have this finished in time for this summer?" I asked.
He nodded and mumbled something about having it "under control."
"Great, " I replied.
And with that , our little interview came to an end. Clearly, he didn't want to spend his time chatting with people from the neighborhood, and I certainly didn't want to keep him from his work.
I wish I could tell you that the rec center general contractor had a work crew with him. I wish I could tell you that they were moving in a big assortment of construction materials. I wish I could tell you that the air was filled with the sound of hammers, saws, and an AM radio blaring a sports talk show - you know, all those things that mean that construction is really happening. But no, as one of my neighbors emailed me this morning, when she went by it on her way to work, with the gate and door to the rec center open, she just thought there were squatters in there. Okay, I know, I know - the City didn't give this contract to Bob the Builder ("Can we fix it? Yes we CAN!").
This was just one guy, unloading some lumber from his pickup truck. And maybe that's the problem with this $1.23 million project - the general contractor is just a guy with a pickup truck.
I first spotted his pickup truck, parked with the two passenger side tires on the sidewalk, the other two in the street, partly blocking the right traffic lane on 12th Street. I love that "I can park anywhere" attitude.
I walked up to him and introduced myself, as he retrieved some tools from his truck. He eyed me a little uneasily, and didn't return the introduction.
"Are you the general contractor?" I asked. (Word was already all over 12th Street that the General Contractor was at the site.)
"Yep," he replied.
"Well, It's great to see you," I said. He didn't seem to warm to my cheery, enthusiastic tone. Perhaps to his ear it sounded like an accusation that we had seen far too little of him around the neighborhood during the past year.
"You know, this project has been going on for quite a while," I ventured.
"Yeah, I'd rather not say anything about that," he replied, with one of those shrugs that's filled with implication. Like you've just asked some guy about the nasty fight he had with his wife last week, and he shrugs, indicating that although it was unpleasant, he doesn't attach much significance to it.
"Do you think you'll have this finished in time for this summer?" I asked.
He nodded and mumbled something about having it "under control."
"Great, " I replied.
And with that , our little interview came to an end. Clearly, he didn't want to spend his time chatting with people from the neighborhood, and I certainly didn't want to keep him from his work.
I wish I could tell you that the rec center general contractor had a work crew with him. I wish I could tell you that they were moving in a big assortment of construction materials. I wish I could tell you that the air was filled with the sound of hammers, saws, and an AM radio blaring a sports talk show - you know, all those things that mean that construction is really happening. But no, as one of my neighbors emailed me this morning, when she went by it on her way to work, with the gate and door to the rec center open, she just thought there were squatters in there. Okay, I know, I know - the City didn't give this contract to Bob the Builder ("Can we fix it? Yes we CAN!").
This was just one guy, unloading some lumber from his pickup truck. And maybe that's the problem with this $1.23 million project - the general contractor is just a guy with a pickup truck.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
As It Looked This Morning
1.9.07 Morning View
Originally uploaded by dwwebber.
As you can see, it hasn't changed (at least on the outside), since Dec. 1, 2006. Even the same trash is there. (At least I've got a better camera angle than I did in December.)
As It Was on Dec. 1, 2006
Rec Center 12.1.06
Originally uploaded by dwwebber.
This is the first photo I took of the rec center, on Dec. 1, 2006. Compare it to later pictures. As of today, Jan. 9 2007, nothing has changed (at least on the exterior) - even the trash is still there in front of the building.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Today . . . No-Show
Once again, no one showed up at the work site. Hey, this blogging thing will be easier than I thought!
Columbus Square Photos
If you want to take a look at photos of the Recreation Center project at Columbus Square, go to my photo set on Flickr, "Another Milestone in Philadelphia's Progress." Use "detail view" to see my descriptions for each photo or view the entire set as a slide show.
Another Milestone?
When I ask my neighbors around Columbus Square if they can remember when ground was broken for the new Recreation Center at 12th & Wharton Streets, I always get the same response. They look puzzled, scratch their heads for a moment, and then say, "You know, I really can't remember for sure." Yes, it's been going on that long.
I can't remember for sure either. Was it the fall of 2005? Or 2004? My guess is 2005 - at least I remember the foundation having been finished and sitting all winter under the snow. And that was probably last winter.
So we're now into the second winter of our discontent about this project, which means it's been going on for well over a year - at least. And what have we got? An eyesore, a trash magnet, a vandalism target, an excellent example of urban blight, courtesy of the City of Philadelphia itself. The City's official construction sign, proudly touting this as "Another Milestone in Philadelphia's Progess" is now graffitied over. One graffiti writer has aptly tagged this project "Left for Dead."
It began - back whenever it was - with the demolition of what was a heavily used basketball court. After the new building was more or less up by last summer - at least there was a roof over walls - they then demolished the old (ca. 1960s) recreation center on 12th Street, as well as the dog run and the tot lot. What remains of the tot lot is now inaccessible behind fencing. At least the demolition and cleanup didn't take very long. But there's nothing new there to replace what we've lost.
Because I live down the street from this project, I see it - in its barely changing ugliness - every day. I don't know the contractor who's responsible for this project. But there's one thing I'll bet you: whereever he lives, he wouldn't like to look at something like this every day he walks out his front door.
In future postings, I'll monitor work on this project, and provide photos documenting progress - or lack thereof.
I can't remember for sure either. Was it the fall of 2005? Or 2004? My guess is 2005 - at least I remember the foundation having been finished and sitting all winter under the snow. And that was probably last winter.
So we're now into the second winter of our discontent about this project, which means it's been going on for well over a year - at least. And what have we got? An eyesore, a trash magnet, a vandalism target, an excellent example of urban blight, courtesy of the City of Philadelphia itself. The City's official construction sign, proudly touting this as "Another Milestone in Philadelphia's Progess" is now graffitied over. One graffiti writer has aptly tagged this project "Left for Dead."
It began - back whenever it was - with the demolition of what was a heavily used basketball court. After the new building was more or less up by last summer - at least there was a roof over walls - they then demolished the old (ca. 1960s) recreation center on 12th Street, as well as the dog run and the tot lot. What remains of the tot lot is now inaccessible behind fencing. At least the demolition and cleanup didn't take very long. But there's nothing new there to replace what we've lost.
Because I live down the street from this project, I see it - in its barely changing ugliness - every day. I don't know the contractor who's responsible for this project. But there's one thing I'll bet you: whereever he lives, he wouldn't like to look at something like this every day he walks out his front door.
In future postings, I'll monitor work on this project, and provide photos documenting progress - or lack thereof.
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