Repair work on Midvale Ave. wall continues to stall as District cites funding as a possible hurdle

It’s now October and the crumbling wall that has been a safety concern along Midvale Avenue for the past seven months still has not been fixed. 

The deteriorating wall sits just steps away from Thomas Mifflin Elementary School and the East Falls SEPTA train station, both highly traveled areas. 

Many community leaders and neighbors have called for the wall to be fixed, as the heavy stones of the wall reveal huge gaps and cracking.

Their cries have been heard by the office of Fourth District Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., who has had Michelle Wilson, representative of the office, on the case.

In a voicemail for NewsWorks, Wilson explained that the fence was immediately installed after her office contacted the School District of Philadelphia in regard to the construction of the wall.  She said she still hasn’t received word on when the wall will actually be fixed. 

Last week, the fence, which was installed to prevent pedestrians from being hit by falling rocks, was moved back from the sidewalk after complaints expressed that it blocked pedestrian traffic on Midvale Avenue. Many people were forced to walk in the street because of the placement of the fence.

Fernando Gallard, chief of communications for the School District of Philadelphia, says the District has not determined whether the wall can be fixed or if it will be knocked down.

“The whole situation is under review, there is no finding yet as to what we can do,” said Gallard.

In regards to public danger, he says that the District has found it “sufficient” to surround the area with a fence as a preliminary solution.

Gallard also stated that the school district may have difficulty finding funds to resolve the situation.

“We do have a deficit of $200 million,” said Gallard.

NewsWorks will continue to follow this story as it develops.