Repair work to begin on cracked Midvale Avenue wall soon

Neighborhood complaints about a deteriorating wall on Midvale Avenue have sparked a quick response by city officials. 

“It’s a safety hazard,” said Tom Sauerman, president of the East Falls Community Council. “The whole thing is falling apart.”

Sauerman is referencing the stone wall behind Mifflin Elementary, near the East Falls train station.  After hearing about the wall from neighbors, he posted a complaint on SeeClickFix.com, a website in which citizens can report and track neighborhood issues. The site helps to enlist the help of local community officials who can initiate solutions. 

In this case, the office of Fourth District Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. did just that. After the initial complaint was posted last week, a representative from his office came out to East Falls to take photos of the site. 

Who does the wall belong to?

The Philadelphia Streets Department Surveys Unit has investigated the wall and determined that the wall is a part of Philadelphia School District’s property.

“This wall does not fall under the Right of Way of the City,” said Keisha McCarty-Skelton, public relations supervisor for the Streets Department.

NewsWorks calls to the School District prompted a check-in with their facilities office. Chanice Savage, executive assistant for the School District of Philadelphia, informed NewsWorks that someone was sent out on Monday to investigate the wall and installed a temporary fence at the site. Although she couldn’t give a specific time frame, she added that crews will begin rebuilding the wall soon.