GSSD

The idea for a Special Services District in Central Germantown arose in response to a steady increase of litter, graffiti and crime in the Central Germantown commercial corridor. In March of 1992, Paul Levy, executive Director of the Center City District (CCD), was invited to attend a Central Germantown Council meeting to explain how a special services district could support other efforts to revitalize the Germantown commercial District. After that initial meeting, the CGC began the planning of the GSSD.

In the Fall of 1993, Byron Woodson, former ED for CGC, attended a series of meetings hosted by the Center City District. These meetings were designed to educate neighborhood organizations in the planning and implementation of neighborhood SSD's.

On June 21, 1994, CGC held a public meeting to determine local interest in an SSD in Central Germantown. This meeting was attended by CCD rep, Francis Jones, Director of Neighborhood Special Services Districts, Mjenzi Traylor, Deputy Director of Commerce for the City of Philadelphia, Representatives from L&I and the Philadelphia Police Dept.

Later that summer, with the assistance of CCD, a planning committee comprised of reps from CGC, GBA, area property owners and community leaders, was formed to pursue the realization of an SSD in Central Germantown business Corridor.

During the months of August through October, CCD and CGC solicited area property owners as to their major concerns about doing business in Central Germantown. An overwhelming majority cited cleanliness and safety as their primary concerns. From that, property owners in Central Germantown were invited to a public meeting, held on September 26, 1994, to discuss the process of creating an SSD, and the types of services available through the assessment process.

Following this, the planning committee received data from the Board of Revisions and Taxes for the City of Philadelphia. This data stated that assessments from the property owners in the Central Germantown busienss corridor could support the actualization of a Special Services District (SSD). Preliminary boundaries were devised covering 200 East through 399 West Chelten Avenue, 5500 through 5900 Germantown Avenue, 1-100 Maplewood Mall and the 5700 block of Wayne Avenue.

In October of 1994, the GSSD developed bylaws to define the role of the governing body of the District. A Board of Directors was also elected to oversee the development and guidance of the District. Although the Board of Directors was selected to reflect the diversity of the Germantown community, property owners compromised its majority. During that period, the planning committee developed a prelimanary budget with the emphasis of the assessment funding going toward a sidewalk sweeping program. Storefronts and other properties in  the Central Germantown Corridor were designated as the beneficiaries of this program. This program ran through January 1995.

As the Germantown Special Services District prepared to seek the first level of authorization from City Council, a property owner circulated a petition in Germantown attempting to halt the creation of the District. This property owner stated that "This and other hidden taxes will force price increases." This article was printed, detailing the opposition in the Philadelphia Inquirer (February 22, 1995).

GSSD planners organized and held a meeting on March 24, 1995, at the Northwest Regional Library. This meeting was used as a vehicle to disperse confusion and rumors about the District. Attending, were District Councilman Alex Stewart, and several members of the Board of Directors of the District.

Michael Parente, Westside Neighborhood Council President, stepped forward with a large bag of litter that he picked up on Germantown Avenue on the way to the meeting. Mr. Parente asked who was going to pick up the garbage that collected in a six minute period. He said that he knew many people who would not shop on Germantown Avenue because of the dirty and unsafe sidewalks.

Business owners who attended the meeting, said the petition misled them. Jack Asher, a long time resident of Germantown and owner of Asher's Candy, said that he had indeed signed the petition, but was also misled. He concluded by announcing he was 100% in favor of a  Special Services District for Germantown.

A hearing was held before the Rules Committee of City Council, to hear testimony on initial authorization in the creation of the Germantown Special Services District. Representatives of the Center City District, Central Germantown Council, Germantown Business Association, Germantown Special Services District, and area residents and presented testimony. There was no testimony offered opposing the District.

The Rules Committee voted in support of the District, and forwarded the bill to City Council. On march 30, 1995, City Council voted unanimously in favor of the bill, authorizing the Germantown Special Services District.

During the months of April through August 1995, the District, with assistance of CGC and the CCD, developed and ratified its plan and budget. The primary allocation of assessments toward sidewalk sweeping represents the District's commitment to a clean and well-managed commercial corridor. The Board of Directors dolidified the final boundaries of the District. These boundaries include 200 East through 300 West Chelten Avenue. 5500 through 5900 Germantown Avenue, 5500 through 5800 Greene Street, 5500 through 5800 Wayne Avenue and the unit block of Maplewood Mall.

The Board of Directors began the planning for a public meeting to hear testimony on the creation of a Special Services District. Notices to announce a public meeting were mailed to all property owners and commercial tenants in the District, September 1995. A public hearing was scheduled for Monday, October 23, 1995. These notices contained an estimated assessment charge per property: that calculated the assessed value for taxable purposes of the Germantown Special Services District, then multiplying this proportion by the Germantown Special Services districts total program costs for that year. The mailing also contained the plan, budget, and boundaries of the Germantown Special Services District. Included, was a mechanism in which property owners could use in the event they are not in favor of the creation of the District.

In May of 1996, Mayor Edward Rendell signed the bill that made GSSD and official municipal authority with the powers to collect assessment, and in August of that year the first billing went out.

On September 3, 1996 GSSD signed a contract with ISS for sidewalk cleaning services and began its operations.

Since September 3, 1996, we have successfully initiated and maintained our Sidewalk Maintenance Program (SMP). In December of 1998, the GSSD awarded the cleaning contract to the Germantown YMCA. We have also formulated an ongoing relationship with the 14th Police District to coordinate crime prevention tactics. One project in particular was to step up police patrol in Vernon Park. Through our efforts, open air alcohol consumption, graffiti and truant loitering all have decreased significantly. To date, we have obtained funding for a Police Bike Patrol, two mechanical street sweepers and a power washer. We are currently awaiting funding from DCED which will allow the GSSD to purchase it's first vehicle. To date, we have received, with the assistance of Councilwoman Donna Miller, State Representative John Myers, State Senator Allyson Schwartz and Central Germantown Council, an estimated total of $225,000 from Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, The Fels Foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation, Philadelphia Commerce Department, and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). This has enabled us to augment our basic services as well as establish new services.

In addition to our SMP, the GSSD has been active in other areas that directly affect the appearance of Central Germantown. One of our fist projects was the removal of illegal car wash vendors in the 100 block of east Chelten Avenue. Through our efforts with L&I, 14th Police District, the Department of Sanitation, the Philadelphia parking Authority and the Office of Council Member Donna Reed Miller,  the GSSD has succeeded in deterring this illegal activity during the daytime. In addition, with the help of the Philadelphia Water Dept., the GSSD was able to place lock on  several fire hydrants used to help the illegal car washing. Additionally, the GSSD began a community outreach program where I spoke at Wagner Middle and Picket Middle School, respectively. I explained to the students what the GSSD was, its purpose, and how they could help us better the community. We also began our door-to-door campaign, with respect to basic introductions, crime prevention, various city services, and the availability  of the GSSD to act as a liaison between the business community and city government. GSSD also helped with the Presidential Summit on Volunteerism by garnering support and planning for its area of Germantown Avenue.