West Philly remembers


Baltimore Avenue’s, “May- or,” Tony Rodriquez


By Nicole Contosta Staff Reporter


A


nthony “Tony” Rodriguez, the owner of the Just for Men barbershop at 4529


Baltimore Ave, passed away on July 31, 2012, only two days be- fore he was scheduled to receive a bypass surgery, at the age of fifty-five. Tony, referred to as “the


Mayor,” symbolized many things to many people. For children Kareema, Walid, Bianca and An- thony Jr., he was a fun yet strict father. Tony, who adored the


music of James Brown, would belt out the musician’s lyrics, “Poppa don’t take no mess,” each morn- ing before his kids left for school. Fellow barbers; Ronald James, Bruce Burton and Joseph Rutedge viewed him as a friend and men- tor. Long-standing patrons like Roger Harman and Vince Whit- tacre of the Gold Standard viewed him as both a talented barber and a lively entertainer. Widow Monica Davis Rodri- guez, described Tony as a loving and caring husband. “We were married for 25 years. Some good continued on page 4


10 NEW HOMES OPEN SATURDAYS 1:30-3PM www.4300Wallace.com


• 4 Bedrooms, Den, 4 Bathrooms • Granite Counters, Stainless Appliances


ALLIANCE


Victoria Wilson 610-853-2700 610-755-8218


Tony Rodriguez. Review UNIVERSITY CITY


ZBA signs off on USciences’ expansion plan in U City T


By Matt Stringer Special to the UC Review


he University of the Scienc- es’ plans to expand its Sci- ence and Technology Center in University City and connect it via a pedestrian walkway to the existing Samson College of Health Sciences received unani- mous support from the Zoning Board of Adjustment last week. The 55,000-square-foot building will house the Physician Assistant program and feature a green roof with plants that will not only beautify the now-wooded area but also help curb flooding, an issue on everyone’s mind lately. Michael McCalley, attorney for the University of the Sciences, said the two buildings, the ex- isting Samson College at 4500 Woodland Ave. and the future development at 4306 Woodland Ave., needed several variances. 4306 Woodland Ave. is zoned industrial under the old code and that doesn’t permit educational facilities. It also needs a variance for the walkway and a setback variance for yard depth that was reduced from 8.5 percent to 8.4 percent during planning.


This aerial photo from Google Maps shows the site (arrow) of the University of the Sciences’ planned Science and Technology Center on Woodland Avenue.


“We’ve met with met with Mr. Cabry of Councilwoman Black- well’s office,” McCalley said. “We’ve also met with the West Shore Civic Association on June 20 and on Oct. 10 and we believe we’ve dealt with their concerns about construction issues: noise, dust, fumes, and rodents. Through the last meeting, we felt that we had adequately ad- dressed those issues and we’ve asked for a letter of support or


non-opposition.” Martin Cabry, director of zoning for Councilwoman Blackwell’s office, appeared on her behalf and said that the Councilwoman sup- ported the project. The Philadel- phia City Planning Commission had no objection. However, the University received no letter from the West Shore Civic Association in any form.


Some neighbors still have con- cerns about students—and rats.


continued on page 5 November 7, 2012


Update on the appeal over the de- molition of 400 S. 40th Street


By Nicole Contosta Staff Reporter


O


A resident of Linmore Avenue, whose house is adjacent to the de- velopment, said that it’s the heavy equipment and all the noise it will create that concerns her. She is especially worried about the time of the construction. But her major issue was with rats. “All the rodents are going to move from where they are going to build right into my back yard,” she said. There is no official count of the rat population of the area, but it does border the west shore of the Schuylkill, so it could be significant or it could be minimal. The block captain of 46th Street, named Lucille, also lives right be- hind the proposed development. She had an issue about a lack of notices, but she isn’t a member of the West Shore Civic Association. However, her major issue is with the students.


“The students are all around and the old folks don’t have anywhere to park, “ she said, “and they have parties all the time. They should build a parking lot so they have somewhere to park.” McCalley said that the univer- sity has various measures they are going to take to deal with noise,


n Thursday, November 1, 2012, the L&I Review Board heard the first part of an appeal on the Historical Commission’s decision to raze the historically designated mansion at 400 S. 40th


Street. The decision


to tear down the mansion would help pave the way for the Azalea Gardens project, a six-story build- ing with 122 residential units. This hearing came after months of deliberation between the appel- lants, represented by attorney Paul Boni and the opponents led by the City Law Department’s Andrew Ross and the University of Penn- sylvania’s attorney Matt McClure. During those deliberations, the City Law Department and Penn’s attorneys, argued over the appel- lants’ right to appeal the Historical Commission’s decision. Having won its right to appeal, Paul Boni, presented the testimony of former Planning Commission member Richard Tyler and local developer, Guy Laren.


During Thursday’s hearing, the UC Review had the opportunity to cover Laren’s testimony. Paul


continued on page 5


SEE OUR YELLOW


PAGE SERVICE DIRECTORY PAGE 15


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16