Thank God! I'm not fat enough!
This will help.

That will crap up the neighborhood nicely. Ever see the crowd at the Wendy's at 15th and Chestnut? I give it 3 months before the first brawl occurs with kids from the rec center.

Awesome...way to go "local leaders". You should be proud!

How did this get rezoned? Hmmmm

Mmmmmm Frostys...

How is it possible that in December they "had no idea other than an empty lot" and in February - Shazzam! A WENDY'S! And no local leaders/politician's knew about this???? What a mess! Drive thru carbon monoxide emissions into houses, Wendy's trash all over the streets, loitering, increased traffic around a residential area, health danger attraction to the kids going to the recreation center for physical fitness, a big glaring neon eyesore plunked right in the middle of one of the nicest neighborhoods you could want to live in. This is a HUGE slap in the face to home owners and political constituents in this area who absolutely OPPOSE THIS!

I'm sick over this news. mcDonalds tried this in the Art Musem Area back around 2002. The neighborhood protested against the plan. The developers may not care, but Wendy's may not want to be involved in a community protest. I urge everyone to contact your neighborhood associations and let them know how you feel. There are many conversations going on about this subject. Please voice your opinion and show your support. Lets work hard not to let this happen.

Contact your legislators:http://www.congress.org/congressorg/officials/congress/?view=myofficials&azip=19128&bzip=&submit.x=21&submit.y=3&submit=go. Rox is on its way up and this will bring it down.

Very classy. The developer had the best interest of the community in mind when he rushed to destroy a unique dwelling for some thing so common.

We should all be proud of him. Maybe we should bring a Wendy's to chestnut hill next. Plenty of historic dwellings
Agree

Oh Joy, Oh Joy. Just what any neighborhood needs. Another high cholesterol, high fat, fast food restaurant. What a shame that a beautiful Victorian building was torn down to be replaced by a fast food chain store. WON'T GET MY BUSINESS.

Thinking about how bad the neighborhood is going to smell is making me sick already. Not to mention the two school up the street that aren't exactly full of civilized people. It'll be chaos.

Your right Maryalice it's just one more place for are kids to get fat.

Yes, I do miss those ABANDED BUILDINGS with the broken windows that were so 'classy'. We're you folks blind to that ? The old useless Bunting house that could not attract any business or buyers had to go. Get over it. It's called progress. We need some fast food choices around here. Lets not forget about all the jobs that this will create also !

dammit I wanted a taco bell.

Chick-Fil-A would be better. Closed on Sunday also.

Let Wendy's know they're not welcome in Roxborough. Contact them at:

Wendy's Consumer Relations - United States
Wendy's International, Inc.
One Dave Thomas Blvd.
Dublin, OH 43017

Phone: (614) 764-3100, x132032

wendys.franchising@wendys.com

I'm sure the Roxborough Development Corporation has insisted that the project fits in with the design plans for the business district and will be buffered by modern greening practices, for the betterment of local business and residents. I suggest you call and ask. I agree, win for the owner, loss for the neighborhood.

I think those scumbags at Giavannone knew all along that what was going to go there. That 30 day delay was all smoke and mirrors. if the neighborhood wants to fight this, count me in!

Wendy's is so low class, many other food places would have been better (a family owned deli, chick fil a, or panera). Can this be protested?

Roxborough Development Corporation. 215-508-2358

Looking forward to it. I agree with Steve J. Now let's work on the delapadated house next to the Bank at Ridge & Rox. Ave. That's an eyesore if ever there was one.

Roxborough, the new germantown. Hell, that's what it's becoming, with all these new stores between hermitage and lyceum that can't last more than 3 years. Roxborough should have been left alone. This neighborhood sucks anymore!

I think it is GREAT. WE ONLY have one fast food restaurant in Roxborough. It is Much better than some of the stores on the Ridge.......check cashing, Laundromat & stores that are bringing down the community. It will also bring jobs. It is about time something different is coming. Idea for Goldens car lot would be a Trader Joe's.....that would be really nice.

Seriously though. What rights do we have here as citizens of this neighborhood? Shouldn't there be a community meeting asking us for our input. How do we state our case if we're against it?

The neighborhood was always bad I guess everyone forgot about the junkie scum bags walking around

I think people where/are afraid of suit. Hardly anyone called the developer COMPLETELY out that it was 100% hogwash months ago, many minced words a little to avoid saying they were full of shit! A plan was always in place, belive it. Greed was the motivator, and lies were a course of getting what they wanted. They claimed they had the legal "right" to do it, and yet fought to assert that right. If it was such a guaranteed right, was an answer by teh developer and their representatives even needed, could they not just ignore the uprising? Of course not! Nothing is a 100% till it's 100%. They knew that they could still lose that so called right, and/or enough public outcry could really hink things up. In the face of that if they had then played it HONEST, they may well have still won, but they MIGHT NOT HAVE and they knew it! NOW, the fact that they LIED in court proceedings MIGHT be a purjury, I'm not sure it applies in this sort of case, but someone should look into it. Because if so, they lied quite thoroughly and it can be proven. These deals don't happen in a month or two.....

Is anyone involved with the Roxborough Development Corporation and/or know what their involvement is with this? They seem to be the first place to go. I was looking at their website, and in one of their brochures it looks like it might be this Bunting House had been depicted in one of their brochures as one of the community amenities... Roxborough is such a charming place architecturally (I'm not the neighborhood and it has been cold, so that's all I know so far), and a Wendy's does not bring charm. It only brings money to someone who probably doesn't even live here. I would appreciate any knowledge anyone has about the dealings that went down with the demolition of the building and how the plan even came about. This is not how community building is done. If you want to attract people to this neighborhood, and not late night drunk people eating at Wendy's, this needs to be stopped.

Pls take Jo Ann's advice!
Call, write, email Wendy's expressing your opinions!!!
I witnessed Mc Donalds pulling out of the Art Museum Area, and they had begun to develop the propertyI

Louise, I will do it right now. Thank you!

I just spoke with someone at the number below (Thank you Jo Ann), and they took down all of my information and my comments on the proposal. They said they would forward my message to the district manager. If we flood his lines maybe something can be done.

Let Wendy's know they're not welcome in Roxborough. Contact them at:

Wendy's Consumer Relations - United States
Wendy's International, Inc.
One Dave Thomas Blvd.
Dublin, OH 43017

Phone: (614) 764-3100, x132032

wendys.franchising@wendys.com

I'm a Roxborough native. Went to Levering. Lived there all my life til I got married. When I visit, I'm always hoping that there'll be some improvements. So disheartened to hear about school closings and beautiful buildings being torn down. I agree that a Wendy's is totally out of place there. What neighbor wants that smell, cars in and out all day/night, and crowds of people "hangin' out" there? If the neighborhood needs a fast food place at all, a better location would be at the old Mobile station at Hermit/Righter/Ridge. That place has been empty forever and is a total eye sore. And, you've got an ambulance stationed right next door so that hamburger heart attack victim can get help immediately. The frosty would suffer though, 'cause no one holds a candle to the Custard Stand!

wendys.franchising@wendys.com
Please take action. We can't sit around and wait for this to happen.

I really think most of you people need to get a grip. Change is good. Change is Needed. The Roxborough Civic Association has made many questionable decisions over the years allowing businesses in Bad ones at that. Good ones get turned away because of the Demands or Needs. You recently Had 2 Robberies at a Bank and Bob's Diner robbed. Get outraged about that. Not New Economic growth!

Contact Councilman Curtis Jones with your comments: http://philadelphiacitycouncil.net/council-members/councilman-curtis-jones-jr-4th-district/contact-councilman-curtis-jones-jr/

They should have used the site of the former Rox-Manayunk Bank at Ridge and Lyceum for Wendy's. Now that is an eyesore.

Turn the Bunting house property into a green space.

I am new to this area, but I think it would be great if we could defeat this! I really love it here -- the park nearby, the beautiful architecture, the connection to Center City, the potential of the Ridge business corridor. I really am so proud to live here, and accomplishing this would look great for our neighborhood! I have called the RDC and left a message. I have emailed the Councilman. And I have emailed and called Wendy's. If we continue to stay on top of this and continue to get more information, perhaps something can actually be done. Let's do it!!! Thank you to the Patch for providing us with this forum!

Also, one last thing. While most articles on the Patch right now have been recommended on facebook only a handful of times, this article has been recommended 247 times as of right now. There is a lot of interest in and support of this issue!

In your emails to Wendy's include a url to this article and make sure that you write instructions to scroll down at the many negative comments about a Wendy's coming in.

Weren't they supposed to put a Wendy's on Ridge between Cathedral and Port Royal Avenue where the bus stop is a few years ago? I might understand that because it is in an area where there is already a shopping center. The residential area of Ridge and Roxborough Avenues, however...

Of course any resident of Roxborough would be for something that brings economic development to the neighborhood, but it should be something that improves the quality of life and does not bring down property values. That would be true progress. A bookstore, a cafe, a boutique of some sort...

Facebook page started in opposition of Wendy's in Roxborough. https://www.facebook.com/RoxboroughResidentsAgainstWendys

What is wrong with this country? Have we no pride, tearing down a historical buildding. Only in America would/does this happen. What happened to pride of Country? This makes me sick. Someone pulled a fast one or some politicians were paid off big time.
A former Roxborough/Manayunk resident.

Thank you Jessica! Keep it coming! http://www.change.org/petitions/wendy-s-fast-food-restaurant-stop-the-development-of-wendy-s-in-our-neighborhood?utm_campaign=share_button_action_box&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition

290 facebook recommendations!

To Hal Schirmer, do you know if the lot/lots were rezoned? I thought it was only zoned for "mixed" use? If so, any thoughts on how that happened given the effort to stop the demo? Thanks

On Philly's zoning site the lot is listed as: CMX-2, Neighborhood Commercial Mixed-Use-2. Does anyone know what this means in more detail?

Giovannone Construction went for a "vacant lot" with their demolition permit. I'm not familiar with the process, but it seems to me that someone had an idea in mind for post-vacant lot because why just give a permit for demolition. Here is the contact info for them from the zoning website.

GIOVANNONE CONSTRUCTION
5003 UMBRIA ST STE 200
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19128
Phone: 215-487-1340
Fax: 215-487-6437

Some history http://www.manayunkcouncil.org/

Please join the petition. Every time someone joins, councilman Curtis Jones Jr. and Wendy's Corp. is automatically notified by email.
http://www.change.org/petitions/wendy-s-fast-food-restaurant-stop-the-development-of-wendy-s-in-our-neighborhood

We really do need a Walmart! That would be a good spot! N people around here really need jobs! I think Roxborough really does have enough fast food places around here! N of course this was in the works,.no way did they not no about a Wendy in December or January n oh all of a sudden comes February n oh let's make it a Wendy!!! Wrong! They knew this all along!!

The owners don't have licenses for their vacant lots. I've reported those violations to L&I for anyone who wants to vote them up:
http://www.publicstuff.com/pa/philadelphia-pa/other/one-of-5-vacant-lots-without-vacant-lot-licen-95261
http://www.publicstuff.com/pa/philadelphia-pa/other/one-of-5-vacant-lots-without-vacant-lot-licen-95263
http://www.publicstuff.com/pa/philadelphia-pa/other/one-of-5-vacant-lots-without-vacant-lot-licen-95264
http://www.publicstuff.com/pa/philadelphia-pa/other/one-of-5-vacant-lots-without-vacant-lot-licen-95265
http://www.publicstuff.com/pa/philadelphia-pa/other/one-of-5-vacant-lots-without-vacant-lot-licen-95267

I must live in one of the most whiny neighborhoods in the country, roxborough was a big drug area not too long ago, but now Wendy's is a mortal sin, it's development not a conspiracy, this isn't the x files. If you don't like it then move

I am very concerned about how this will affect pedestrians. That intersection is already dangerous enough without drive-through traffic. There is a rec center diagonally opposite from this parcel of land, which means children on foot, not to mention all the people who are walking to businesses in that area or waiting at the multiple bus stops at that intersection. This kind of business is not in keeping with the development that has happened with respect to such concerns just two blocks away at Ridge and Lyceum by a developer that actually listened to such concerns.

I said Popeye's as a joke and i was not to far off. i cant believe the politicians are allowing all this to happen. I know we all don't agree on certain development projects but Roxborough and Manayunk Iis looking real sloppy and i cant see a Wendys helping at all. I don't want to hear that 20 years ago line . I would rather have my home be worth less money and live in a clean neighborhood. with the proper development . Beer cup and piss clean up on Saturdays is a household chore for many many neighbors . On top of that you have worry about your car being broken into, if you can even find a parking spot in your zip.... What a joke

They actually do have clean ups around here, i agree wendys would be a stupid idea, i say just build more houses or condos, that way we have nothing more to complain about.. Building hses is nothing new, we are used to that..

Change is good as long as it is positive change. This is not positive change. This type of "growth", and not just Wendy's, all the nail salons, check cashing places, etc., coupled with the influx of displaced high school students will impact the neighborhood in a very negative way. My husband and I are local business owners, we choose to have our business in Roxborough because it is a terrific area. It is heartbreaking to see a great neighborhood overtaken in such a negative way by outside interests, while the residents have zero say in what happens to a place where their families have lived for generations.

Wendy, both Rox High and AmyNW are already filled with "displaced" students. A few more "displaced" students from Gtown doesn't change anything. Maybe you haven't noticed but Philly has pretty big "displaced" population. If you think that "displaced" people will drag down your business then move it to someplace with less "displaced" people. They were here before you

Well, this is a bunch of horse-sh*t. I got really excited two months ago when The Foodery went in on Ridge. A place like that could really help change the area... but a freaking Wendy's? Is there really that much of a demand for a crappy fast food place like that? Put in a little gastropub with good food and beer.

Tore down a beautiful building to put in another fast food, fattening American's spot. Good job Roxborough.

i am so disgusted by this. we bought a house off ridge and rox last year - if i had known that in a year i would be living around the corner from a 24 hour fast food restaurant, i would have had second thoughts about buying our house. and shame on you, Giovannone Construction. shame on you for tearing down a piece of history and for lying to an entire community.

I am not against the idea of a Wendy's in Roxborough, however this location is not the ideal site. It cheapens the neighborhood and helps to pollute the immediate area. One commenter was correct regarding the potential of trouble due to the proximity to the Rec center. I further predict a shooting within six months of opening in the new Roxborough.

eveywhere in Ridge has high fat options.... Having a Wendys will be good for young famalies who dont drive. Who instead have to take 1 or 2 buses depending on where the are going,, Its a decent location, with enough buffer from the noce creatd, into the hood.. rox-myk needed this

I'm on the same plane as poorrichard. As a Rox resident in the past, I always wanted more variety in fast food sources in Roxborough. You can only have so much Deli's, Alex's, etc.etc before you need a change. McDonalds was the ONLY option (other than the terrible Burger King that lasted about 8 years in Ivy RidgeSC) (and the RoyRogers that went out of business, then Boston Market(yuck!) now Dunkin Donuts at Ivy Ridge SC) BUT, Ridge and Roxborugh has to be the WORST corner/area for a fast food place. TOTALLY out of place for a Wendy's, the traffic at that intersection will be a nightmare, and the ruffians will be a plenty. BAD news for that area.

Why does there have to be another place to eat? Our society is so obsessed with eating, chefs and cooks are like rock stars, an entire cable network devoted to eating while obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are on the rise. The old Golden lot is going to be a Planet Fitness, with all the kids who play sports in the area why not a nice sporting goods store?

You're right Wendy. I have pretty strong willpower but even I get hungry watching these shows: Diners, Drive Ins and Drives, Man vs Food, etc. These shows make it look acceptable because the hosts are always shoving food in the mouths. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with showing good places to eat. I can also understand why so many Americans are fat. Those portions are HUGE!

This is just horrible!! A friend of mine lived in one of the places that was torn down by Giovannone. She paid her rent every month and on time. She's horribly sick, had both of her kids living with her and two small grandchildren living there too. They forcefully evicted her. They couldn't even allow her to get her Xmas decorations (about 30 yrs worth) out of the basement. When she went in to move her stuff out, she found her cat with it's neck broken. These "people" knew EXACTLY what they were doing the entire time. That's all we need. A Wendy's. A new hang out for the bussed in Roxborough HS GARBAGE to hang out at. Oh amd lets not forget all the gtown HS kids that'll now be attending Rox HS. As a lifelong resident, I'm sick to my stomach over what the neighborhood is becoming. They are over developing EVERYWHERE. Putting ugly, thrown together houses anywhere they can shove them in at. It's disgusting and something needs to be done about it.

Burning in hell would be too good for them! Who kills someone's cat?! All she needed was another month that she would have gladly paid for. I'm from the area going back 3+ generations. I remember back when I thought it was the best place to live on earth! Oh to be young and/or naive again. :(

Jami isn't being racist. She's merely speaking the truth. If the Roxborough students are so well behaved then why is there a need for police cars to patrol up and down Ridge Avenue when school is dismissed? Also I have witnessed several confrontations between Roxborough H.S. and the WB Saul students at the Wissahickon Transfer center. Some of the Germantown students will be transferred to Roxborough. There's already been 2 articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer stating that there will be problems with the students in the schools like Germantown that will be closing. There's some kind of an idiotic "turf" thing going on.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/50288

I know this mostly relates to the Germantown students that will be transferring to King H.S. However, you can bet that the students who transfer over to Roxborough will be causing problems too.