South Philly Review

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When one door closes, another opens and there are a lot of doors in South Philly.

Kmart made its exit in January, but by November, Burlington Coat Factory opened its doors in its place. 2011 also saw the closing of the Stiffel Senior Center. Construction is expected to cover the mural “Autumn,” while Edwin M. Stanton School and Manton Street Park await their fates.

Even so, there were a few bright, or clean and green, moments this year when Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corp. announced its comeback, refugees created a garden and UnLitter Us made its South Philly initiative launch. Heading into the New Year, South Philly awaits April’s Xfinity Live! debut in hopes of many more doors opening throughout ’12. 

January

After 30 years, South Philadelphians said goodbye to the Whitman Plaza Kmart, 424 W. Oregon Ave. While citizens embraced the deals, they could not ignore the economic repercussions as 114 people lost their jobs.

Teleconferencing had allowed Pennsport resident and then-principal Stephen Hewitt to teach higher-level mathematics to fifth- and sixth-graders at St. Richard School, 1826 Pollock St., along with 30 other students from a trio of Archdiocese of Philadelphia facilities. The two-year pilot program, “Math Matters,” hopes to have students finish with ninth-grade algebra to lead toward high school credentials.

The 16th annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service brought out a record-breaking, 75,000 volunteers throughout the city. World Communications Charter School, 512 S. Broad St., and members of the Church of the Redeemer, 1440 S. 24th St., volunteered at the Tindley Temple United Methodist Church soup kitchen, 750 S. Broad St., while the nonprofit OPPORTUNITIES helped some formerly homeless residents restart their lives with a shopping spree at IKEA, 2206 S. Columbus Blvd.

Although denied more money through the U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhood implementation grant Dec. 19, it had awarded Universal Companies, 800 S. 15th St., a $500,000 planning grant to develop a cradle-to-career package of health and social services and improved schools in Point Breeze and Grays Ferry.

February

After 60 years as a City employee, Packer Park resident and Council President Anna Verna retired. The Point Breeze native’s achievements include keeping seniors from losing their homes due to real estate taxes, banning public drinking, cutting down the number of vacant spaces, assisting with the expansion of the Philadelphia International Airport and the Philadelphia Naval Business Center, along with chairing the Columbus Day Parade that her late husband Severino co-founded.

SS United States Conservancy members announced the $3-million acquisition of the historic ship. While the final resting place and $200 million in renovations were still drifting, its owner hoped the vessel’s strong historical connections keep it docked in Philadelphia and become part of the thriving waterfront community.

With the July ’10 sale of the former site of the St. Charles Borromeo School, 2019 Montrose St., the Archdiocese left Messiah Dance Works Productions Inc. to find a new home. After nine years in the space, its founder Duane Wilkins hoped faith would help to relocate the dance company.

A trio of “STOMP” cast members treated students at Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, 2600 S. Broad St., to some dance lessons. The troupe was one of many that stop by to get the students excited about the arts. 

March 

GlaxoSmithKline announced its headquarters would relocate to The Philadelphia Navy Yard. Its new office, 5 Crescent Drive, which is expected to carry a LEED certification, along with the nearby expansion of fashion retailer Urban Outfitters Inc., 5100 S. Broad St., will bring an additional 1,000 new jobs to South Philly. 

When the School District of Philadelphia proposed to make Charles Y. Audenried Sr. High School, 3301 Tasker St., part of the Promise Neighborhood Partnership, Hope Moffett spoke out against the district, which removed her from the classroom after she provided a student SEPTA tokens to attend a protest, but her employer later let the teacher return to her duties.