Every year Germantown United CDC commissions longtime Germantown business Karen Singer Tileworks Inc. to design a commemorative tile featuring an iconic G’town building. So far, we’ve created tiles of Town Hall and the YWCA. This year we’re asking YOU to help us pick.
The buildings we’re considering include the historic Loudoun Mansion at 4650 Germantown Ave, Germantown High School at 40 High St, and Vernon House (Black Writer’s Museum) at 4800 Germantown Avenue in Vernon Park. Vote on which building you’d like to see made into a tile this year! One lucky voter will win a decorative tile. Vote online here.
This holiday season, Karen Singer Tilesworks will celebrate 25 years in business in Germantown with a celebratory party and seasonal sale on Friday, November 25th from 4 – 8 p.m. at the tile studio, located at 90 E Church Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19144. ‘Tis the season to shop small and buy local! Read on to learn more about Karen’s contributions to the Germantown community and support this independent business.
Karen Singer Tileworks Celebrates 25 years in Germantown November 25th marks the day! Start off the holiday season at KST Studio
Anniversary Sale-A-Bration November 25th, 25% off gallery items, until Dec 25th… Get it? www.KarenSinger.com
Celebrate with KST, 25 years of story telling through art tiles, murals, and donor walls. 25 years of helping non-profits create a visual representation of their mission, 25 years of giving back to the community of Germantown and Greater Northwest.
Karen has her studio and home in Germantown for 25 years and is going strong. She is not only of this Germantown community but she is fully engaged in it. As a former Pa Arts in Education Resident Karen has conducted workshops engaging students in the art making process and installed tiled murals in Houston Elementary, Kelly Elementary among others and done the same at Project Learn and Henry School pro bono as part of her ethic of giving back to the community.
She is part of the fundraising committee at Germantown United CDC creating an annual tile representing an aspect of Germantown history, as a fundraising incentive for those who donate a certain amount thereby helping sustain the good works of GUCDC.
Please join us November 25th from 4 – 8 p.m.
Karen Singer Tileworks 90 E Church Lane Philadelphia, Pa. 19144
Stone Soup Saturdays: A Community Building and Beautification Project Inspired by a Folk Tale
In 2014, Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) launched Stone Soup Saturdays, a resident-driven series of beautification projects. This program was inspired by the cross cultural folk tale about collaboration, in which villagers learn that when everyone contributes just a little of what they have, a greater good is achieved for all.
GUCDC announced the program in the spring of 2014, and accepted applications for grants from Germantown artists, gardeners and creative citizens for the implementation of projects designed to beautify and enliven a handful of key locations.
This program was made possible by a grant from the Samuel Fels Fund; grants of up to $1500 were awarded. Priority was given to projects that have the potential to foster community ownership and build a framework for future enhancements to take place at the project sites.
In addition to the actual designs, GUCDC looked for ideas with the potential to create a catalyst for future beautification and development in the neighborhood; foster community ownership of public spaces and increase community pride; attract new businesses to move into vacancies; attract more shoppers to the area as to increase business revenue on Germantown’s business corridors.
The beautification project locations identified by GUCDC are included below. Project submissions were received and awarded as follows:
Unit block of West Rockland Street – Vacant lot. Interface Studios, for a community bulletin board installation.
The wall at the southwest corner of Chelten and Greene – Bus stop at Greene and Chelten, traveling southbound. Artist Susan Mangan, for murals on the wall, and student workshops.
5722 Greene Street – Parking lot entryway/Efficiency House area of the Germantown Life Enrichment Center. Greg Derix, a Germantown resident, for landscaping, in partnership with Philadelphia University students.
Unit block of West Haines Street – Garden space on south side of Germantown Town Hall.
For more information on the Stone Soup Saturdays’ project, contact Germantown United CDC at [email protected].
The Germantown Community Radio Partners will celebrate the launch of Germantown’s new low power FM radio station on Saturday, February 17 from 2pm to 5pm with special on-air programming and satellite listening parties. 92.9 FM is Germantown Community Radio: All Germantown All the Time. Now broadcasting live from downtown Germantown, the station features locally produced and syndicated non-commercial programming.
The festivities on February 17th include two pop-up listening parties featuring meet-and-greets with show hosts, giveaways, and the opportunity to record an interview for radio broadcast. The listening parties will be held at Germantown Life Enrichment Center (5722 Greene St) from 2pm to 4pm, and Germantown Espresso Bar (26 Maplewood Mall) from 2pm to 5pm.
Representatives from the Germantown Community Radio Partners will also be live in the studio from 2pm – 5pm, located at the headquarters of G-town Radio (26 Maplewood Mall). On-air programming will include an introduction of new radio hosts, special guests from the Germantown community, a sneak peek at exciting programming in the works, and other behind the scenes stories. Listeners are encouraged to call the studio at 215-609-4301 and get on the air.
Getting on the FM dial
Back in 2013, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that low-power radio frequencies would be distributed to community nonprofit organizations across the country. In Philadelphia a number of organizations applied, including several groups based in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. In 2017, the three Germantown community organizations that were successfully granted licenses from the FCC fulfilled the four-year quest to bring a unifying voice to Philly’s diverse Germantown. The organizations, now cooperating as the Germantown Community Radio Partners, are: WGGT-LP G-town Radio, a robust community internet radio station; WRGU-LP Germantown United Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization who’s mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown and its business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development; and WRLG-LP Germantown Life Enrichment Center (GLEC), a community-oriented recreational and educational facility in the heart of Germantown. Each group operates independently under the auspices of their parent nonprofits.
The partners agreed to form a time-share, at the request of the FCC, and invest in a broadcast tower to get on the air. During this lengthy process, the timeshare partners had to defend a legal challenge to their license that went all the way to Federal Court before they finally prevailed in the summer of 2017.
In January 2018, the community radio station tower and transmitter was constructed and installed atop the tallest building in Germantown, Interfaith House of Germantown (18 W Chelten Ave). Listeners can now tune in to 92.9 on the FM dial. The broadcast signal will easily reach all of Germantown, and adjacent neighborhoods––from Nicetown to Chestnut Hill, East Falls and Roxborough to Glenside, and places in between.
Germantown has access to this frequency 4 1/2 days a week from noon on Wednesdays to midnight on Sunday. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday morning, 92.9 FM will be off-air in Germantown. (The frequency is also shared with a group in South Philadelphia, who will be on-air in their neighborhood during that time.) Streaming will also be available at gtownradio.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
G-town Radio is a community internet radio station that broadcast 24 hours a day. G-town Radio strives to level the playing field of media access by focusing on the neighborhood of Germantown, the surrounding communities and all of Philadelphia. Our mission is to be an exceptional outlet for local content, community news, and a diverse spectrum of music. We broadcast sounds, ideas, and talk not found on mainstream media. It is our belief that a strong community is one that offers a platform for neighbors, community members and listeners to share news and generate discussion on topics that impact our neighborhood, our city and the world.
Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of the business district in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Vibrant commercial corridors or “Main Streets” contribute to strong neighborhoods. They provide a place to work, shop, and meet your neighbors. Through our Targeted Corridor Management Program contract with the city’s Commerce Department, Germantown United CDC provides assistance to businesses, brings planning and resources to the corridor, oversees activities to make the corridor clean and safe, and works to attract new businesses to the area. We are actively working to bolster and reinforce the vibrancy of the business district to meet the needs of the surrounding community and attract visitors from outside the immediate neighborhood. Germantown United CDC is also exploring opportunities to strengthen and diversify the mix of commercial uses in the business district, the potential to reuse vacant or underutilized properties, business and job attraction strategies, and available sources of funding to support recommended revitalization strategies.
The Germantown Life Enrichment Center (GLEC) was founded in 1871 as the YMCA of Germantown and became an independent organization in 2010. GLEC provides recreational facilities for all ages – a fitness center, pool, courts, afterschool and camp for children, classes, social activities and community meeting spaces – as well as a 128-unit residence for low-income men. It also houses a small radio production studio.
The Germantown Second Saturday Festival will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 12pm to 5pm in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The community festival invites the public to experience Germantown, celebrates the kick-off the Second Saturday series–when all 16 Historic Germantown sites are open monthly–and showcases the many thriving cultural, civic, and business attractions and activities that make Germantown an exciting place to live and visit.
Presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United CDC, the festival will take place along a one-block stretch of Germantown Avenue, between School House Ln and Coulter St, and surround Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Ave). Featuring: Live Music & Performance, Food Trucks, Art & Craft Marketplace, Historic Re-enactors, Family Friendly Programs, Free Bus & Walking Tours of Historic Germantown Sites.
Do you #LoveGermantown? Join us April 26, 2018 for the 5th Annual “For the Love of Germantown” FUNdraiser! Enjoy delicious food and drinks, dancing to DJ Prime, silent auction, and networking with your neighbors. We’ll also honor this year’s Pillars of the Community awardees (to be announced) and get a peek inside the historic Cunningham Piano Showroom Building, located at 5427 Germantown Avenue, now slated for redevelopment. But wait, there’s more! »»»
Germantown United CDC and Historic Germantown are currently seeking community organizations, food vendors, art, craft, and other merchants to participate in the Vendor Marketplace at the 4th annual festival Germantown Second Saturday Festival.
The Germantown Second Saturday Festival will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 12pm to 5pm in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The festival will take place at Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Avenue) and along Germantown Avenue, between School House Lane and Coulter Street, which will be closed to traffic. Rain or shine.
The community festival, presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United Community Development Corporation, invites the public to experience Germantown. The festival celebrates the kick-off the Second Saturday series–when all 16 Historic Germantown sites are open monthly–and showcases the many thriving cultural, civic, and business attractions and activities that make Germantown an exciting place to live and visit.
The mission of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown and its business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development.
In February of 2018, Germantown United CDC became aware that the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA) was considering a proposal to refinance $3.3 million in loans––with forgiveness of all back taxes, all utility liens, and all late penalties and interest accumulated over a 25-year period––on 50+ properties concentrated in lower Germantown (an estimated 140+ units of housing).
News of the proposal before the PRA was met with overwhelming outrage. Thanks to substantial pressure, community organizing and advocacy, the PRA rejected the proposal and is moving forward with foreclosure, calling it “the responsible course of action that is best for the Germantown neighborhood and for the ongoing preservation and maintenance of this important affordable housing.” If successful, the PRA will take control of these properties. At this time however, exactly what will happen to these properties remains influx and unknown. But wait, there’s more! »»»
Starting Thursday, June 14, 2018 The Food Trust’s newest farmers market opens in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood, as a place for community members to gather, purchase healthy foods, listen to music, enjoy arts and cultural programming, and take advantage of free community resources. The market, hosted in collaboration with Germantown United Community Development Corp. and Weavers Way Co-op, will be open to the public through October every Thursday, 3-7 p.m., at Germantown Avenue and East School House Lane.
Shoppers can enjoy:
Fresh fruits & veggies from Zookie’s Produce
Cooking demos by The Food Trust nutrition educators
Nuts, dried fruit, coffee, granola and other sustainably sourced bulk and packaged foods from Weavers Way Co-op
Community resources, music, arts & entertainment sponsored by Germantown United CDC
Food truck fare and prepared foods, including Ashbell’s Smokehouse Deli
Germantown & School House Farmers Market is located in Market Square Park, a previously underutilized neighborhood park and public space. This site was chosen because of its historic significance as a market at the founding of Germantown; visibility from heavily trafficked Germantown Avenue; proximity to Historic Germantown sites, including the Historical Society and the Germantown White House; proximity to religious, business and educational institutions including Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity’s Germantown alumni chapter; accessibility to transit including the SEPTA Route 23 bus which stops at the market; availability of parking; and its potential for revitalizing this storied block of Germantown’s business district.
The location of the market is also the site of the annual Germantown Second Saturday Festival, which has brought renewed attention and interest to Germantown and Market Square Park. In 2017, this picturesque block of Germantown Ave welcomed three new and thriving businesses: Kinesics Dance Dynamics, Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books, and Germantown Day School.
About The Food Trust The Food Trust, a nonprofit founded in 1992, strives to make healthy food available to all. Working with neighborhoods, schools, grocers, farmers and policymakers, The Food Trust has developed a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition education and greater availability of affordable, healthy food. To learn more about The Food Trust, visit thefoodtrust.org.
About Germantown United CDC Germantown United Community Development Corporation’s (GUCDC) mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown and its business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. To learn more, visit germantownunitedcdc.org.
About Weavers Way A member-owned cooperative grocery with locations in Northwest Philadelphia and Ambler, Weavers Way offers a friendly shopping environment and reasonably priced, high-quality products that are local, sustainable, organic, fairly traded and healthful. For more info, visit weaversway.coop.
Germantown United CDC released the organization’s five-year strategic plan in September 2018. This new plan will serve as a roadmap and tool for assessing progress, and will help prioritize and advance the organization’s work in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood now through the year 2023.
The year-long planning process helped Germantown United CDC’s leadership to step back and examine where we are, where we want to go, and how to get there.
We have sharpened the organization’s mission, assessed program activities, and looked for opportunities to enhance our community and economic development work.
The planning process was led by V. Lamar Wilson Associates, a private consulting firm specializing in community development contracted to examine GU’s program operations, and solicit different points of view and critiques of the organization—internal and external. This comprehensive process was made possible by the generous support of The Philadelphia Foundation.
This year we’re asking YOU to help us pick.
