May 12, 2003

Bodine Street Community Garden
914 South Bodine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Dear Bodine Street Neighbors:

I write this letter in support of your efforts to save the Bodine Street Community Garden.

I have always supported development in the First Council District because, among other things, it helps revitalize a neighborhood by bringing new residents to our city. But development is not always about building new homes and growing our depleting population base. Sometimes development is simply protecting a neighborhood and supporting its existing residents who want to protect the land and the community in which they live.

For too many years, the land at 914 Bodine Street (939-41 South 3rd Street) in Queen Village lay vacant, unsightly, and a dumping ground for trash and other waste. The owner refused to develop this property and pay his real estate taxes that have since amassed to about $30,000. In response to the owner's negligence, the Bodine Street Community has made it their priority to rehabilitate this land into a beautiful garden for the community to enjoy. The garden, in my opinion, is now the Bodine Street Community's home.

Recently, the owner put the land up for sale so that he can profit on his carelessness. He wants to sell it to a developer who will undoubtedly replace the community garden with new homes. I would normally support the sale of the land to help develop this area and take it out of the hands of its neglectful owner. In this case, however, I believe that the development of this land is better served by the Bodine Street Community, who will continue to make this garden a valuable green space for many years to come.

I have requested that the Redevelopment Authority (RDA) acquire this property as part of its South Central Urban Renewal program through the Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative. I introduced the legislation on May 1, 2003 to acquire the land from the owner and hope to complete the process before the end of our spring legislative session on June 12, 2003. A public hearing will be held on the bill before the Committee on Rules on June 3, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. in City Hall, Room 696. I invite you to testify in support of the bill. By passing this legislation, the RDA would waive all outstanding liens and turn the land over to Michael Legacki of the Bodine Street Community Garden. In the meantime, anyone who purchases this land from the delinquent owner will lose it through our RDA acquisition and condemnation process. Additionally, I will also work with the community to support any legal action it takes against the owner and provide financial support for their ongoing efforts to save the garden.

Please call me or David Fitz at 215-686-3458 if you have any questions.

I look forward to working with you to save your garden. Sincerely,

Frank DiCicco
First District Councilman