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14 SOUTH PHILLY REVIEW I march 29, 2012
News
CHOP continued from page 1 of the South Philadelphia Branch, 1700 S. Broad St., and continued improvements to DiSilvestro Playground, 1701 S. 15th St., creating a close trio of health helpers. “If all three projects come to fruition, everybody will end up winning,” Bochanski, whose employer has operated at St. Agnes for 40 years, said of the design to enhance well-being, literacy and recreation. Though the library and playground projects are developing gradually, the main element has been gaining zealous support since its autumn genesis. Hospital officials, with no space to expand St. Agnes, asked Health Commissioner and Deputy Mayor for Health and Opportunity Donald F. Schwarz if any South Broad Street location could accommodate their clinic, Bochanski said. The Department of Public Health’s second-busiest primary-care clinic with 53,563 visits last year, Health Center No. 2 became the choice. CHOP has begun to appropriate funds for the projected transition and will seek donor aid to make its vision more feasible. The entity’s benefactor role may ease taxpayers’ concerns, too, as Health Center No. 2 renovations would cost $7 million and rebuilding it would total $10 million, according to a City release. Hearings on Nutter’s ideas will occur through May 9, with City Council charged with approving a budget by month’s end. Specifics on the new center’s price tag remain incomplete, yet other undertakings, including the other Newbold projects, have affiliated costs. A $4.1-million initiative would keep the police force at 6,500 officers by hiring 400 officers by the end of next fiscal year. The police and health departments would share the proposed $9 million University City venue that would serve as their headquarters. Six police stations and 11 firehouses would receive improvements through a $6.7-million allotment, with $7 million designed to cover a three-year Neighborhood Library Improvement Program and $8.7 million to improve recreation centers. The last two figures could help South Philly to establish what Bochanski sees as an unprecedented and inspirational marriage of resources. “Literacy has such importance in multiple areas of life,” he said of hopes to bring an offshoot of CHOP’s Reach Out and Read program to the 47-year-old branch. “Recreation also helps to engage communities in acquiring management of the body and mind.” PHILADELPHIA’S EIGHT HEALTH centers often tend to the city’s neediest residents, as around half of last year’s 339,000 visits involved patients without insurance, with the local site being above the system average,
An area hospital’s philanthropy could transform Health Center No. 2, with additional funds required to rebuild its neighboring spot for reading and research needs. S ta f f P h o t o b y G r e g B e z a n i s
health department spokesman Jeff Moran said, noting 81 percent of treated clients had incomes below the poverty level, which sits at $19,090 for a family of three. As St. Agnes also serves low-income populations, children and adults could find the projected institution, which the City has said it would like to open within three years, a haven for their dual dilemmas.
“St. Agnes is too cramped to help all of the area’s needs,” Bochanski said. “We are excited about the timing of the opportunity.” Nutter, who dubbed his strategy a means “to innovate and rethink how City government is operated in order to improve the lives of all Philadelphians,” voiced similar anticipation. “The possibility of integrating these three
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he South Philly Review is turning 65 this year and we want to share in the celebration with all of our great neighbors. Instead of collecting our Social Security check, we are dedicating our May 17 issue to the businesses, people and places that have achieved similar milestones. We want to hear from business owners who have been around for 20 years or more or a special couple that continues to enjoy 50-plus years of marital bliss. Tell us more than how many years you’ve been around. How did your story begin? What are the biggest changes you’ve seen? Is there someone who puts their heart and soul into the operation? Please tell us your story in about 200 words and include contact info. Send your story pitch our way via e-mail, fax or regular mail. Photos are not required. The entry deadline is noon April 20. SPR South Philly Review 12th and Porter streets, Philadelphia, PA 19148 Phone: 215-336-2500 ext. 121 • Fax: 215-336-1112 E-mail: editor@southphillyreview.com
new facilities — health center, library and rec center — would allow us to provide coordinated services that include muchneeded health and wellness programming and literacy training,” he said. Nutter made apparent that the CHOP trek to Health Center No. 2 has strong backing while stressing the remaining area ideas need extra championing. Regardless of their precarious status, the latter plans are not short on support. The South Philadelphia Branch opened at Broad and Ritner streets Nov. 24, 1914, closing in ’65. That same year saw its relocation to its present spot, and renovations occurred in 2000 as part of the City’s Changing Lives campaign, which the branch website said brought Internet service to every library. “There is no concrete information yet about the idea to combine a health center and library in South Philadelphia since this project is in a very early stage,” Sandra Horrocks, the Free Library’s vice president of external affairs, said. “We do, however, have a very close connection with Children’s Hospital. In fact, [CEO Dr.] Steve Altshuler is on our Board of Trustees and is committed to the library and the work of our branches.” Bochanski said CHOP could supply numerous programs and reading specialists to the book sanctuary to strengthen familial appreciation for literacy. “The connection between literacy and health is undeniable,” he said. “Having the first allows one to research how to obtain the second.” One of 11 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department playgrounds in South Philly, DiSilvestro debuted in 1961. Nutter said he could foresee “creating a brand new recreation center” to replace it, but Leo Dignam, executive commissioner for programs, said enhancing is the better choice. His department met with community members March 6 to discuss DiSilvestro’s future. Dignam said the City is seeking amenities for movement within the expanse, with a walking track as a likely addition. “The building would remain the same and would offer opportunities for greening,” he said. Dignam revealed City Council will divide the $8.7 million among its members, who will decide how to use funds, with 2nd District Councilman Kenyatta Johnson to determine what would beautify DiSilvestro. “The sky’s the limit,” Dignam said. “Conceptually, we could help the playground through our research on obesity and proper nutrition,” Bochanski added. “Anything to help families. Everything has such intrigue and is capable of really transforming South Philly.” SPR Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@ southphillyreview.com or ext. 124. Comment at southphillyreview.com/news/features.