March 2nd, 2010
At the end of January, the City of Philadelphia announced that $27 million in federal funds have been allocated towards programs for small businesses. One of these programs is particularly relevant to businesses as PECO prepares to remove the rate increase cap in 2011, impacting the energy bills of people throughout the city. The GreenWorks Small Business Energy Efficiency Rebate was devised to prepare businesses for these future changes.
The purpose of this program, according to the City’s Commerce Department, is to encourage businesses and commercial property owners to improve the energy efficiency of their operations by investing in structural retrofits and energy efficiency processes or equipment. The program reimburses owners of commercial buildings and businesses who make energy efficiency improvements up to 50% of the costs of these improvements. The maximum rebate amount per applicant is $10,000. All projects must meet two criteria. First, businesses or commercial properties must prove that the improvements made to the building will result in a 20% reduction in annual energy consumption. Secondly, funds used must result in a payback period of no more than 10 years. Typical projects include HVAC, lighting, energy management control systems, windows and insulation, commercial equipment or major appliances, water heating systems, electric motors and in some cases, renewable energy projects. More details are outlined after the jump.
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Tags: Businesses, Green
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February 17th, 2010
Photo taken in 2007
Last Monday, February 8th, NKCDC, the engineering design firm Orth-Rodgers, designer Group G, a dozen PennDOT employees and the contractor selected for Frankford Avenue finally met face to face after months of delays. L.C. Costa Contractors is a heavy and highway construction firm located in Warminster, PA. This firm is PennDOT approved, a criteria for being selected for this kind of streetscape project. This meeting gave NKCDC an opportunity to interface with the contractor and begin to establish a line of communication as the community prepares for this exciting time. Although the exact location has not been determined, LC. Costa will have a trailer nearby to ensure that they can respond quickly to concerns or questions during the construction period.
The start date was the only disappointing news at this meeting. Because the contractor is currrently in the midst of 2 other large projects, Frankford Avenue won’t see any dirt flying or concrete pouring until June. The good news is that everything else is in place and residents and businesses along the 1700-2300 blocks of Frankford Avenue can expect to receive several weeks notice before the contractor begins work on his or her block. L.C. Costa is also obligated to keep access to businesses open at all times. In the end, the neighborhood can expect a commercial corridor with gleaming new sidewalks, brighter lighting, beautiful trees, a few more art racks, trashcans and signage. Not to mention two lovely bus shelters providing harbor from the rain, wind and something especially relevant in the last few weeks…snow!
As requested by the project team, L.C. Costa will consider local subcontractors for some components of the work. If you have more questions about the Frankford Avenue improvements, please contact Sarah Corlett at 215-427-0350 ext 111 or scorlett@nkcdc.org.
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January 28th, 2010
Got the winter blues? Frankford Avenue has just the thing to cheer you up. Bundle up, grab a friend and head out to the arts corridor to see old pals and maybe make a few new ones. The new vintage boutique, two percent to glory, makes her First Friday debut. Throw in a pony, some vegan pastries, talented artists and the usual food and drink, and you have yourself a night to remember.
This month’s listings after the jump…
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December 17th, 2009
Andres Amarilla and Meredith Klein are emissaries for what was once a dying art. As an 11 year old boy growing up in the post-dictatorship years of Argentina, Andres was likely the one of the only children in the country learning the Tango. Cultural repression during the junta years had crippled a once-growing traditional dance form, which still resonates in the ears of foreigners as hallmark of Argentinean society. Slowly the dance was winding back into popular psyche, but a young generation had lost the art form. Andres took his rare training as youth and parlayed it into a career dedicated to teaching others a piece of his culture that had almost been erased.
Andres met Meredith Klein, a fellow dancer with ties to the Philadelphia region. After traveling and teaching Tango workshops on the road for several years, and getting married, the couple decided to take up a friends offer to use his South Street loft as a base for a part-time dance academy. Weary of a life of constant travel, they settled into Philadelphia two years ago and began plying their trade in the City of Brotherly Love.
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Tags: Philadelphia Argentine Tango
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November 11th, 2009
The two-story brick building’s low slung exterior and modest facade do not belie the expansive space within. Without the handmade sign strewn with christmas lights and some choice descriptive terms in capital letters (”ART”), there’d scarcely be an indication at all of the teeming interior of Piranha Betty’s Art Shop that awaits the visitor. This new artist collective has packed every inch of their Frankford Avenue store front with their wondrous creations.
Their informal signage is excusable, PBAS just opened within the last week, but their content is above par. Stylized crucifixes, crafted trinkets and other fabrications of the mind meld with a barrage of live music, tarot readings and video bowling (harder than it looks). The result is eclectic, but on their First Friday premiere last week, it was had the energy and spirit of a party.
Their primary mission is to provide an affordable public venue for local artist to ply their wares. Beyond that, they also offer the community a chance to buy high quality creative works, most for under $60.
Of course, there is only so many receptions and First Fridays to fill such an expansive space, so PBAS is working on scheduling events to fill out their calendar, including “live music, life drawing classes, film nights, and children’s art workshops.”
For information about joining the artist’s collective, click here. Otherwise stop by 2472 Frankford Avenue today and support neighborhood art! Piranha Betty’s can be found online at http://www.piranhabettys.com/.
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This December 4th, from 5-9pm, the 
It’s a busy month on Frankford Avenue. Hot on the tail of Bella Sera’s grand opening comes 