Councilman Pulls Support For Controversial Eastwick Housing Project
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia city councilman has withdrawn a controversial proposal for a massive apartment complex in the city's Eastwick section.
The Korman Company had hoped to build a $100-million development in the Eastwick neighborhood -- fifty-one, two-story buildings, for a total of 722 apartments (see previous story).
But residents had objected for a host of reasons, including traffic, the impact on the nearby wildlife refuge, and the fear that the apartments would increase frequent flooding in Eastwick (see related story).
Second District councilman Kenyatta Johnson has now withdrawn the legislation for zoning approval because, he said, Korman and the neighbors could not come to terms.
"I decided to withdraw my support based upon the lack of a partnership between the community and Korman," Johnson said today.
Korman's attorney, Peter Kelsen, says the company remains committed to the project and is continuing its outreach in the community to create support for it.
It is unclear how the death of this deal would affect a related deal between the city and Korman for other land controlled by the developer which is needed for the airport.
