A notice has appeared on the burned-out building at the corner of 46th and Spruce Streets. It says that the Department of Licences and Inspections has determined the building to be “a blighting influence” and issued a violation notice to the owner, Transition to Independent Living Inc. L & I ordered the building owner to secure all the windows with “windows that have frames and glazing.”
It’s been almost three years since the building located at 4534 Spruce Street, the former home to the Transition to Independent Living Center, was damaged in a fire (more about it here). A quick search of the L & I database returned information that a permit was issued to demolish the building and erect a two-story structure to be used as a rooming house with 22 bedrooms and one care workers’ unit. However, the permit was appealed in the Zoning Board of Adjustments in January 2012 and since then there hasn’t been any progress made with the project.
There have been no signs of renovation or demolition work so far and it seems that the building is slowly decaying. West Philly Local tried to contact the owners recently as there were reports of workers spotted by the building, but our calls haven’t been returned.
On the upside … if you like street art, the building has been used as a canvas for a couple of years now.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:22 pm
I actually opened a Philly311 ticket for this about a month ago because it violated the Philly Doors and Windows ordinance and I was sick of seeing it blight the neighborhood. I was surprised the city responded so fast.
http://www.publicstuff.com/pa/philadelphia-pa/vacant-commercial/vacant-commercial-161451
October 21st, 2013 at 5:12 pm
Great to see some real code enforcement in the area!
October 21st, 2013 at 7:46 pm
Yes!
October 22nd, 2013 at 3:34 pm
I just saw this same notice posted on Watusi at 45th and Locust as well.