FNA 2025 December Newsletter

December in Fishtown: Holiday Cheer, Big Wins & What’s Next!

12/5/2025

As 2025 wraps up, we’re celebrating big wins and looking ahead to exciting events. From board elections and a record-breaking silent auction to safety improvements and holiday cheer, there’s a lot happening in our neighborhood. Dive in for updates, upcoming events, and ways to get involved!

What We’ve Been Up To

Board Elections
Thank you to everyone who voted in our annual elections! Here's your 2026 Board and Officers

Silent Auction Success
Our Annual Silent Auction was a hit and we raised 20% more than last year! Huge thanks to our generous businesses and neighbors!

Chili Cookoff
Thanks to sponsors PTSSD, Starbolt, Rivers Casino, and all judges & participants! Congrats to our winners:

Best Restaurant: The International Bar
Best Resident: Team Cat Downs – Autumn Sweater Chili
People’s Choice: Team Pigeon – Bee Sting Beef & Beans Chili

24th Annual Great Fishtown Spelling Bee
On Nov 13, 150+ students (Grades 1–8) participated. We’re proud of every student—congrats to the winners!

Mutual Aid
Distributed 100 food boxes last month—bringing our 2025 total to 1,000 boxes! Thanks to Riverwards Produce for partnering with us.

Zoning & Community Updates

November Highlights:

2043 Frankford Ave: Special Exception for sit-down restaurant with take-out → Opposed
112 E Allen: Variance for Group Medical use → Supported
53–67 Laurel St: Proposed parking garage → Civic Design Review held Dec 2 & FNA letter provided
ZBA Hearings:
- 18 W Oxford: Continued to a May 6, 2026 date. FNA Letter of Support
- 1148 Frankford Ave: Assembly & Entertainment-Live Music. Zoning Board GRANTED the Special Exception. FNA Support Letter

Upcoming ZBA Hearing:
Dec 17, 2 PM – 1251 Shackamaxon St (Multi-Family Variances). FNA Letter of Support
Register: Hearing ID MI-2025-004542

Always check our Zoning Committee Calendar for future meetings!

Upcoming Events

Holiday Sing-Along: Sun, Dec 7 | 6–8 PM | Konrad Square
Bring your holiday spirit and join neighbors for festive carols. Hot cocoa provided!
Safety Committee & Town Hall: Wed, Dec 10 | 7 PM | Fishtown Rec Center
Meet Captain Casale from the 26th District. Hear updates about traffic changes on Berks.
Community Meeting on Trash Collection: Thu, Dec 11 | 6:30 PM | Shissler Rec Center
Join the City to discuss the proposed twice-a-week trash collection program.
Monthly Community Meeting: Wed, Jan 21 | 7 PM | Fishtown Rec Center
Make community involvement part of your New Year’s resolution! Join us to hear updates, share ideas and help shape Fishtown’s future.
Kids Dance Party: Sat, Jan 24 | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM (Doors at 10:30) | Brooklyn Bowl
A fun morning of music and dancing for kids and families! Sponsored by PTSSD. Tickets

Girard Avenue Safety Improvements

Big changes at Girard & Berks! FNA partnered with the city to boost pedestrian safety and cut crashes. Berks Street now runs from Delaware to Girard, and the left turn lane from I-95 onto Girard at Berks is gone. These updates target one of Girard’s most accident-prone intersections.

Also, check out our Walk Audit Report (supported by AARP) for insights on East Girard safety. We’ve shared recommendations with city and state agencies to urge action!

From PGW: LIHEAP Now Open