The Greene and Chelten intersection, displaying good amounts of damaged roads and metal plates, due to construction. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)
It’s hard to travel along Chelten Avenue, between Germantown and Wayne, these days without fearing one wrong move will do major damage to your vehicle. And neighbors may have to feel that way well into the summer due to the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) ‘s work replacing a water main.
“I did $700 damage crossing Chelten on Greene in the dark,” said one driver about a recent experience driving along the road in the Living in Germantown Facebook group.
And he is just one of many neighbors who have voiced concerns, primarily in local Facebook groups, about the eyesore it is, the disarray of navigating through it, and the destruction it causes.
Staff at Eighth District Councilperson Cindy Bass’s office have observed the problem and have worked to address this significant hindrance in the neighborhood through its “Chelten Avenue Project.”
Led by the office’s district coordinator, Michael Cogbill, the project seeks to maintain the flow of information between the parties involved in the (re)construction of the avenue’s roadway.
Aside from his role, Cogbill is also a Germantown resident who frequents the corridor. He sees the value in the avenue on different fronts beyond the sometimes less savory activity that may linger.
“Chelten Ave is great,” he exclaims. “We got historic churches and [great] establishments. I think it just needs work.”
He points out where the problem often starts when work is done. That job may be complete, but roads aren’t repaved as fast, leaving different kinds of lumps, bumps, and metal plates.
“The way it works is PWD have [contractors] come out [and] fix the street, and they’ll repave it,” Cogbill explains. “[But] the Streets Department won’t know they have done it.”
While PWD and its contractor, PIO Construction, are responsible for refilling the street, they are not responsible for restoration. Restoration, which includes resurfacing, repaving, line striping, and more, makes roads accessible and aesthetically pleasing. That’s where the Department of Streets comes in.
Cogbill says the primary way to ensure this happens is to make as many reports as possible, as early as possible, and keep a record.
Through this initiative, neighbors can email incidents, and Cogbill will ensure they reach 311. Those who have already filed their 311 reports can also send their receipts to add to the record. Even if you weren’t involved in an incident or accident but witnessed one, he still encourages you to send an email to cheltenaveproject@gmail.com.
This will allow the councilperson’s office to signal to the Streets Department that there is a significant need for repair when PWD finishes.
Some roads that have gone through this water main replacement entirely already are Maplewood Avenue (Greene to Wayne), Haines Street (Germantown to the south of McCallum), and E. Price Street (Baynton to Morton).
Roads that have gone through the process and await street restoration are Heiskell Street (Armat to Chelten), Wayne Avenue (School House to Chelten, and again from Coulter to School House).
The work on W. Chelten Avenue has several more phases before it’s complete in June.
Chelten is only one of two streets (the other being Price) getting Green Stormwater Infrastructure after restoration through the Green City, Clean Waters initiative. The initiative is a 25-year plan to manage stormwater with green solutions and improve treatment capacity with traditional upgrades.
E. Price Street also got stormwater infrastructure after restoration, receiving tree trenches to help manage sewer overflows caused by stormwater runoff. Chelten Avenue is set to receive the same.
Cogbill says he’s witnessed people almost slip on the metal plates when crossing the streets under icy conditions, which points to a more significant issue for seniors in the area.
He also believes these situations deter people in various ways, such as impacting business patronage, hindering potential businesses from opening, and preventing individuals from moving into the many booming apartments popping up along the avenue.
Peter, the owner of Triple One nail salon next to the Greene and Chelten intersection, says the construction causes a lot of noise, which disturbs the workers and customers.
A representative at Yadain, right on the corner, says that based on the amount of construction and where it’s happening on any given day, some days can be much slower than others.
As it stands, neighbors can expect PWD to work on the road through the spring. Then, as mentioned, the Streets Department will have to restore the road, which is slated for completion in June.
Before then, Councilperson Bass will host a town hall meeting, inviting the water department to discuss its work and allow neighbors to ask questions. The meeting is scheduled for March 5, but the time and location have not been released.
Bass says the corridor is “not just a commercial corridor” but also an “important throughway,” stating that it should be “treated as Market, Broad, or any other major roadway in the city.”
Cogbill notes that communication between Bass’ office and PWD has been good throughout this process, saying PWD has been open and responsive.
If you want more information about this initiative or to submit a report throughout this process, email District Coordinator Michael Cogbill at cheltenaveproject@gmail.com.
The councilperson’s office also directs people to the Department of Risk Management, where they can file claims against the city for personal injury and property damage.
For property damage claims against the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), use the PWD Claim Form. You will need to enter your identification number and social security number along with the follow items:
- A copy of your insurance declaration page covering the date of the accident/incident
- Written estimates itemizing part(s), price, and labor
- Photographs of your damaged property
- Photographs of the defective condition that caused the accident/incident