Rich Schiffer, REALTOR, e-PRO

By Rich Schiffer, Weichert Realtors

The Delaware River Port Authority, which manages the operation of several bridges in the Philadelphia Area (The Commodore Barry Bridge in the City of Chester, Delaware County and the Walt Whitman, Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross Bridges in Philadelphia) are likely to see fare increases very soon, according to a recent proposal.

(for details of the proposal, and public hearing dates, click here)

Under DRPA'a proposed changes, the current fare of $3 (paid only when traveling from New Jersey into Pennsylvania) will go up to $4 in September 2008 and then up to $5 in September, 2010. The PATCO high-speed rail line that crosses the Ben Franklin Bridge will also see a fare increase of 10% (up to 25 cents for the longest ride)

Increased fares are to be used for ongoing bridge maintenance, repairs, and a $1 Billion 5-year capital improvement plan.

The increase this fall will hit many commuters in the wallet. A $1 increase could translate to about $250 per year for those whose daily commute includes the one of the DRPA bridges. This, combined with the high price of gasoline, makes "going green" (carpooling, using mass transit, or driving hybrid or alternate fuel vehicles) even more attractive. Better yet, to save even more money, you could sell your home, and buy one closer to where you work, and eliminate the long commute altogether.

Summer has "commenced", and you are hopefully enjoying a well-deserved break for your routine. Unfortunately, summer is all too brief, and we must begin planning for next year. For those of you planning on renting a place off-campus, now is the time to line up housing for the 08-09 year.

If you would like a list of available housing options, please sign in using the guestbook form on the right, and let me know what you need. (If you are reading this post on Localism.com, click here to find my guestbook)

I will do my best to find you what you want, and help you negotiate the best terms -- at no cost to you!

For those of you interested in owning your own rental property, there are some good opportunities for that as well, in today's market.

West Chester will be home to a film crew for the next few days, and lucky residents may catch a glimpse of Jennifer Aniston or Owen Wilson as they film scenes for the upcoming release of "Marley and Me."

(They were actually shooting winter scenes, using faux snow -- what I will coin as "snaux" -- a far cry from the previous shooting in Miami, FL!)

As exciting as something like this is, it also comes with a few hassles: Traffic and parking will be disrupted. Here is a schedule of the remaining detours and disruptions that you may encounter if you live or work in the area:

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 (Traffic)

• Entire Borough parking Lot # 10 will be closed to the public from noon until 0200 hrs. of May 21, 2008.
• West Gay Street will be closed from High Street, west to New Street from 1400 to 0200 hrs.
• There will be intermittent traffic control on Church Street at Gay from 1800 to 0200 hrs.
• Darlington Street will be closed north from Courthouse Alley across Gay to Prescott Alley from 1400 to 0200 hrs.
• High Street at Gay will be one lane northbound and southbound from 1400 to 0200 hrs.
• Market Street, Chestnut Street and New Street will have no closures related to the filming.
• The 100 and 200 block of West Gay Street will also be closed to pedestrian traffic from 1400 to 0200 hrs.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 (Parking)

• 100 Block of West Gay Street both sides (Block Signs) (2:00 pm to 1:00 am)
• 200 Block of West Gay Street both sides (Block Signs) (3:00 pm to 1:00 am)
• 50 Block of North Darlington (Block Signs) 12:00 pm to 1:00 am for school bus and film crew loading.
• North Darlington Street from Market Street to Chestnut Street (No Parking Signs)
• 50 Block of West Gay Street from High Street to North Church (Block signs) (5:00 pm to 1:00 am)
  

(Traffic closure information provided courtesy of Scott L. Bohn, Chief of Police and Ernie McNeely, Borough Manager)

by Rich Schiffer, Weichert Realtors

As a Real Estate Agent, I rarely get the opportunity to participate in events that cover both of my primary interests: Historic Preservation, AND Community Revitalization, which are often at odds with one another. Needless to say, when I found out about this project, which encorporates both passions, I got very excited, and thought I should share it with you:

The Friends of the Blue Bell, are dedicated to the preservation of area historical asssets and are sponsoring the The Friends of Old Borough Hall in their efforts to create a museum of Darby and Area history.

Please join us on Saturday, March 29

Darby Fire Company No. 1 on Chester Pike (next to Walgreens).

Seatings are continuous from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Take-outs will be available.

Bring family and friends!

The theme of the evening, "And They Called It Macaroni" is a tribute to the "can-do" spirit of Yankee Doodle of Revolutioinary War fame.

With homemade gravy (South Philly style) from our Blue Bell Board member Claire Venuto, the meal will include rigatoni with two cheeses and gravy for our non-meat eating friends and sausage or meatballs on the side for those who wish to partake of them. We'll also have salad, rolls and butter, dessert and beverage all included, as well as entertainment and door prizes.

Tickets at $10 each for adults ($5 each for children under 10) can be purchased in advance by calling Jan and John at (610) 583-0788 or at the door.

Old Borough Hall (c.1841) was donated to Darby by the Quaker Lloyd family as a school in the mid-nineteenth century and later became Borough Hall and Police Station complete with cells, after Darby incorporated as a Borough in 1853.

If you cannot attend the fundraising dinner, but would like to contribute to the preservation of this historic property, contact John or Jan at (610) 583-0788

Darby is easily accessible by trolley from University City and Center City via the SEPTA No. 11 Subway-Surface Line.

For more on the history of Darby: www.darbyhistory.com.

For other articles about Darby by this author, click here.