Why is Kelly Drive a well-maintained, boast-worthy road and trail, and Ridge Avenue a dilapidated, run-down street that’s full of litter and whose highest purpose could be that it’s part of the route for the 61 bus?

Yuck

The condition of Ridge Ave. really irked Josh Goodsell, founder and director of the Philadelphia Social Reconstruction Congress. Back when he commuted to Manayunk, Goodsell sniffed out a shortcut home down Ridge Ave. only to find it “kind of depressing.” He wondered why there were no trash cans or benches to be found anywhere on the street. Goodsell believes that the local government wasn’t fulfilling its responsibilities and with a group of friends, the Temple University history education major and North Third cook created the PSRC to fill the void left in the community by the underperforming local government. Last winter, Goodsell, who couldn’t afford to return to TU this year because of the rising costs of tuition said “just because there is no money doesn’t mean we can’t do this. We have to find a way.”

Thus, the PSRC was born. Goodsell and his friends canvassed the streets of Francisville, from Broad Street to Girard Avenue along Ridge, and asked folks what they thought the community needed. According to Goodsell, community members wanted more events for the children, benches at bus stops, and more trash cans. In conjunction with the American Institute of Architects and the Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation the PSRC recently concluded a design contest for 12 benches along Ridge Avenue that will be painted and installed by the end of year.

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

In addition to wanting Francisville to look better, folks at the PSRC want neighbors to eat well, and for a reasonable price. Every two weeks, they host an organic produce market at the Arts Garage, located at 15th St. and Ridge Ave. The next one is this Saturday, September 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, and features live music. In true DIY fashion, Goodsell and company host music and art shows featuring local bands and visual artists to raise funds for the organic market and other initiatives. Their next “quiet to loud folk” and arts showcase is Saturday, October 8, at the Little Bar.

The folks at PSRC are doing good in the neighborhood, as these kids are linking local civic groups and local DIY establishments, harnessing a social conviction rooted in the idea of creating a more livable and comfortable existence for people on the lower end of the socio-economic ladder. Frankly, we’re inspired by Goodsell, a gentleman with bright ideas about revitalizing and reforming our city who is doing anything he can to get those ideas out there. Well done, PSRC!

–Lou Mancinelli