Beautification Projects Taking Root In Old City
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A beautification effort to two blighted lots in Old City appears to be taking root as additional projects are being considered.
It looks like one giant lot, but it's actually two -- 240 Market Street and on the back side 245 Elbow Lane.
Since the summer, the trash has been cleaned up, the ground is now level and grass-covered. A wooden split rail fence protects it.
"There would be people using the lot as a bathroom," says Joeb Itzkowitz Executive Director of the Old City District. "The 7-11 wall as a bathroom. there would be drug activity on the lot. And part of that came from the way the lot was maintained."
Itzkowitz says it's a simple beautification effort.
"I was able to get an agreement with the owner to let us simply fence it in, plant some grass and a few bushes at the front."
He says there are more projects being considered and a master plan for redevelopment of public space is also in the works which is expected to be completed by the end of next moth.