Committee backs renaming of Wissinoming rec center, approves land acquisitions for Nicetown and Cobbs Creek

The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Public Property and Public Works on Oct. 26 voted to report four bills with favorable recommendations, including a proposal to rename the Wissinoming Recreation Center for Margaret “Marge” Tartaglione and ordinances authorizing the city to acquire several parcels in Cobbs Creek, on Germantown Avenue and on Cayuga Street for neighborhood projects.

The measures were reported from committee with favorable recommendations and the committee voted to suspend council rules to allow first reading of the bills at the next full‑council session. There were no members of the public signed to comment at the committee hearing.

Susan Slauson, commissioner of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, testified in support of Bill 250526, the renaming measure. "She should be honored and commemorated for her life of service, which is why I support renaming the Wissinoming Recreation Center to the Margaret Tartaglione Recreation Center," Slauson said. Slauson identified the recreation center by its street address and said the department supports the bill.

Slauson described Tartaglione as a longtime Philadelphia elections official and ward leader who helped implement public voting and meeting practices and who mentored women in local politics. The bill would rename the recreation facility at 5801 Frankford Avenue (listed in the bill as the Wissinoming Recreation Center) to the Margaret Tartaglione Recreation Center.

Angel Rodriguez, deputy executive director for land at the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, testified in favor of Bills 250537 and 250538. He said the acquisition work on the 4300 block of Germantown Avenue and the 1900 block of Cayuga Street is part of a multiyear effort with Councilmember Bass and the Nicetown community to build phase one of Nicetown Sports Courts and associated stormwater infrastructure. "This bill has been in the works for more than two years in collaboration with Councilmember Bass, the Nicetown community, for the Nicetown Sports Courts to develop phase 1," Rodriguez said. He said the parks and courts plan includes basketball, soccer and pickleball courts and that the Water Department will install a stormwater‑management system; Rodriguez added the work would help position Nicetown for FIFA World Cup activity in 2026.

The clerk read four bills on the committee agenda before testimony began: Bill 250483 (land acquisition in the Cobbs Creek/70th Street area, introduced on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson), Bill 250526 (renaming the Wissinoming Recreation Center, introduced by Councilmember Catherine Gilmore Richardson), Bill 250537 (acquisition of properties on the 4300 block of Germantown Avenue, introduced by Councilmember Bass) and Bill 250538 (acquisition of properties on the 1900 block of Cayuga Street, introduced by Councilmember Bass). The record notes that testimony for Bill 250483 had been taken at a prior hearing.

Votes at a glance

- Bill 250483: Ordinance authorizing the commissioner of public property to acquire fee simple title or a lesser interest in property bounded by Cobbs Creek, 70th Street extended, Buist Avenue and 70th Street (owners listed as the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, the Philadelphia Land Bank or the Philadelphia Housing and Development Corporation). Motion to report the bill from committee with a favorable recommendation and to suspend the rules for first reading was moved in committee and carried; the committee recorded the ayes and the motion carried. (Amendment: not specified; prior testimony given at earlier hearing.)

- Bill 250526 (as amended): Ordinance renaming the Wissinoming Recreation Center (5801 Frankford Avenue) to the Margaret Tartaglione Recreation Center. An amendment to the bill was offered, seconded and approved, and the amended bill was reported from committee with a favorable recommendation; the committee moved to suspend the rules to allow first reading at the next council session. Commissioner Susan Slauson testified in support.

- Bill 250537 (as amended): Ordinance authorizing the commissioner of public property to acquire fee simple or lesser interests in properties at 4368, 4370, 43702, 43704 Germantown Avenue (as listed in the bill). An amendment was offered, seconded and approved; the amended bill was reported from committee with a favorable recommendation and the rules were suspended to permit first reading.

- Bill 250538 (as amended): Ordinance authorizing the commissioner of public property to acquire fee simple or lesser interests in properties listed on the 1900 block of Cayuga Street (numbers shown in the bill). An amendment was offered, seconded and approved; the amended bill was reported from committee with a favorable recommendation and the committee moved to suspend the rules for first reading.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Committee members adopted amendments to Bills 250526, 250537 and 250538 before reporting those measures out of committee. The bills will appear for first reading at the next session of City Council.

(Procedural note: the transcript shows unanimous "ayes" recorded on each motion; individual roll‑call vote tallies were not read into the record during the committee meeting.)