New School Approved for Green Woods; Keenan's to Close... For Now

Accepting provisos established by a local civic association, the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment approved construction plans for a new on Domino Lane. The move will follow a property sale from , which will soon close.

At a Wednesday hearing, the ZBA unanimously supported the construction of a 34-classroom, 675-student school to be constructed at 468 Domino Lane—site of the current Roxborough catering hall. 

The vote was contingent on building agreements requested by the Ridge Park Civic Association, which supported the project. Green Woods is currently located at the . After receiving permission from the School District of Philadelphia to expand enrollment, it looked for space for a new school. In 2012-13, , before moving into its new home in 2014.

Bill Keenan, long-time restaurateur, attended the hearing Wednesday, and said the banquet hall could close by the end of June. Although he will sell his catering business, he hasn't ruled out a new home in Roxborough.

The Keenan's Story

Keenan and wife Mary Beth have run the restaurant at its current location and former one in Andorra for the better part of 35 years. Bill Keenan was diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago, at which point he reevaluated his vantage point.

"What would happen if I go and my wife is left with this big business to run all by herself? I never put it up for sale, but (the school) approached me. I had to consider it," he said. He is now cancer free.

Throughout proceedings, Keenan has kept quiet—to the press, his friends and business contacts. After the "Yes" vote Wednesday, he discussed his future plans.

"I don't want to leave this community high and dry. Now that the end is in sight, hopefully we can start along with a new plan," he said.

Keenan will retain the business's liquor license, and is considering the option of opening another facility elsewhere in the neighborhood. He kept mum about specifics, but after the property is officially sold, he'll let on more.

His ultimate goal could be establishing a restaurant that someone else can take over and provide for Roxborough as he has.

"I have people upset that they can't have their own funeral receptions at Keenan's. We'll see," he said.

Ridge Park's Conditions

Ridge Park originally in March. The civic held another meeting May 3 to secure certain provisions, and wrote a support letter signed by President Gary Ferris. The school agreed to:

• Installing a flashing "School Zone" light;
• Situating security lighting to avoid impacting neighbors and facing it downward;
• Granting a civic member a seat on the school board; and 
• Erecting 6-foot high fencing with 20 foot buffer of trees and fencing.

Another proviso accepted by the zoning board involved busing. 

ZBA Chairwoman Lynette Brown-Sow inquired about the school's plans for traffic.

Green Woods attorney Samantha Lyons said the facility will hold 60 parking spaces. Buses will enter on Domino Lane and will wait for students on the school's grounds—buses can't idle on the street. Lyons said a double-lane will make up the drop-off area, with a nearby sidewalk for students.

Ridge Park also required traffic coordinators to assist in the process.