Note: This post is quite long, but very important. The background required is significant, which is why this thing is gonna read like a novella. Sorry in advance.

The 1100 block of S. 20th St. runs between Washington Ave. and Federal St. and is totally atrocious right now. On this stretch, the gateway to Point Breeze Ave., 9 vacant lots are owned by the City of Philadelphia, 2 vacant lots are owned by a church, and 2 vacant lots are owned by private developers. Another half dozen buildings on this stretch are in shell condition, or just a step above. On the northwest corner of 20th and Federal Sts., a local developer owns a multi-unit building that will soon have a coffee shop on the first floor.

Future coffee shop about two years ago. Image from Google

Current image

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The scene outside of South Philadelphia HOMES on the 1400 block of Point Breeze Avenue last night at 6pm was a disarray of violent protesting. Members of the Concerned Citizens of Point Breeze held signs that read “Save Point Breeze,” calling anyone who dared to enter “gentrifiers.” The meeting that was scheduled to take place inside was one that Philadelphia city council president Anna Verna asked community leaders to arrange in conclusion to the ‘grueling and redundant testimony’ on March 23, 2011 over the Moratorium Bill No. 110134. Neighborhood leaders of Point Breeze, including Al Brown of the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center, Alice Shockley of the Neighbors In Action group, Claudia Sherrod of the Point Breeze Community Development Coalition, John Longacre of Longacre Property Management Group, Antoinette Johnson of the Point…