Police looking for more elbow room in North Philadelphia

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 Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke is pushing for repairs to 22nd District police facilities. (NewsWorks file photo)

Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke is pushing for repairs to 22nd District police facilities. (NewsWorks file photo)

The city of Philadelphia is confronting its space issues.  And  one place especially poses a problem.

Council President Darrell Clarke has been complaining about the poor conditions for police in the 22nd District for years.  

During a recent budget hearing, Public Property Commissioner Bridget Collins Greenwald says the city is reviewing its needs for  offices, police and fire stations.

“It’s going to based on the operations of that unit, of those specific units, the demographics of the area where population has shifted and whatnot,” she said.

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Clarke wants the city to acquire a specific piece of land at 22nd and Diamond for what he says could be a combined police and fire station.

“Big space,” he said. “I’m saying this, now a speculator will run out there and buy the property at sheriff’s sale.”

Police facilities in the 2nd and 15th Districts will undergo significant renovation if the budget proposal is approved as it is, Greenwald said.

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