Do you think this guy is guilty? He contacted the city many times on the
subject. When nothing was done, he used his own money to clean up the area so
that the area in front of his business looks nice. Another example of
irrational behavior of big government.
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City may sue developer who spent $20,000 to remove 40 tons of trash from vacant
lotBy Eric Pfeiffer, Yahoo! News | The Sideshow – 5 hrs ago
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Ori Feibush sits outside his coffee shop. (Steven M. Falk/Daily News)A business
developer in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Point Breeze is facing legal
action after voluntarily cleaning up more than 40 tons of trash from a vacant
lot neighboring his local business.
As the old adage goes, no good deed goes unpunished. Ori Feibush says he
visited the local offices of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority four
times, sent in seven written requests and made 24 phone calls to the agency
asking them to take care of a major eyesore: an empty lot next to his coffee
shop was home to more than 40 tons of debris.
Not only did the agency fail to act but it also denied Feibush's offer to clean
up the mess himself.
But the Daily News reports that Feibush went ahead with his plans anyway,
reportedly spending more than $20,000 of his own money not only to remove the
trash but also to level the soil; add cherry trees, fencing and park benches;
and repave the sidewalk.
"This was a lot of garbage," local resident Elaine McGrath told the paper. "Now
it's gorgeous. I'm excited."
However, the city agency was less excited, demanding that Feibush return the
vacant lot to its previous condition and saying it is considering legal action
against him.
"Like any property owner, [the authority] does not permit unauthorized access
to or alteration of its property," Paul D. Chrystie, director of communications
at the Office of Housing and Community Development told the paper. "This is
both on principle (no property owner knowingly allows trespassing) and to limit
taxpayer liability."
And the situation is not without irony. Feibush says he received a citation in
August 2011 from the city for litter on the same lot that the city now points
out is not his property.
Nonetheless, the city's request puts Feibush in an unusual position. In theory,
he committed a good deed, investing his own time and money to improve the
condition of his neighborhood when city authorities refused to step up to the
plate. But he also knowingly did so after the city refused his request to
intervene.
The situation is almost like a reverse case of eminent domain, in which
a private owner is attempting to revitalize a piece of public property.
For his part, Feibush thinks the city agency is jealous.
"For a private developer to create a garden, it's a question of who gets
credit. To do it without their blessing, you're basically insulting them," he
said. "I'm not looking for a thank-you, but I'm not looking for a big F.U."
This lot was recently home to 40 tons of trash until a local businessman
cleaned it up. (Steven M. Falk/Daily …
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