Local Business Owner Weighs in on Community Revitalization Efforts
Philadelphia, PA, December 28, 2016 (Newswire.com) - There have been recent threats of zoning changes in Philadelphia neighborhoods that would limit development by imposing suburban like regulations on new development. Raza Properties began to question if the people of these communities support the down zoning and prefer regulations in favor of lower-density, single family housing restrictions. So CEO Rahil Raza took to the streets himself to connect with locals in order to better understand what the community wants.
Rutberg Furs is a family owned business established in 1923 and located at 19th and Girard St.
It used to be you park your car on the street and it would get broken into and now nice cars are parked without fencing and remain untouched.
Mr. Rutberg, Store Owner, Rutberg Furs
The family owns most of the block and some scattered sites through to Fairmount. When asked about the new development in the area Mr. Rutberg says, “It’s been coming for the last 20 years but in the last 5 years it’s gone crazy, development and improvement have taken off." The family has been here long enough to see the contrast and change and shared with Mr. Raza the dangers in the community prior to the development efforts.
Mr. Rutberg candidly reminisced about a time where he felt he needed to walk around armed and notes how much things have improved. “It used to be you park your car on the street and it would get broken into,” said Mr. Rutberg, "and now nice cars are parked without fencing and remain untouched." During the conversation, his mother Elaine Rutberg interjected from the back of the store that she is no longer afraid to walk around—“I feel safe enough to live here.”
Along with all the positive developments, the conversation progressed to the existing needs of the community, namely for new shops to fill the recently renovated storefronts and some "nice restaurants" to bring the area to life.
That led to talk about the recent proposed down zoning for the area. Mr. Rutberg shared the odd experience of driving down the street and how out of place the single suburban type homes are in the city environment.
He feels the city of Philadelphia would be doing a disservice to the community to limit the zoning regulations and restrict development.
There’s a time for down zoning, but as this community begins to taste the sweet rebirth of its infrastructure, economy, safety, and overall vitality strict regulations on zoning will inevitably limit the potential of this great neighborhood.
This is just one local family and business owner's perspective, but after almost 100 years in business Rutberg Furs knows the community, welcomes the positive changes, and hopes it will continue. Raza Properties believes this echoes the sentiments of other residents and small business owners who call this place home.
As long as zoning regulations remain favorable and the community welcomes it Raza Properties, along with other developers, will remain committed to help local communities reach their potential by developing properties in appreciating areas and bringing time, attention, capital to the project-- employing locally, buying American-made products, keeping prices affordable, and helping middle class people afford a home in Philadelphia.
Written with permission from all referenced parties.
Source: Raza Properties