Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 29, 2000)
CLASSIC TAN oo AAortday — THursday 8—10 Friday 8-8 Saturday TO - ~7 Sunday 1- 8 (Albertson's Shopping Center) 2205 Long mi re. Suite C College Station, TX WQA5 (929) 595-5555 Page 4B NATION Tuesday, August 2),} THE BATTALION 15 Philadelphia buildings collaps PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Years of urban decay are taking a serious toll on Philadelphia’s once vibrant neigh borhoods: As many as 15 buildings have collapsed since Thursday, and the city believes more than 3,1 (X) oth ers could fall down at any moment. All of the buildings that col lapsed were rowhouses in and around poverty-stricken North Philadelphia. All but two had been abandoned. As a result, only minor injuries resulted: Two men .were hurt when a large wooden awning fell as they were walking by. Experts are not sure exactly what caused the rash of building collaps es but they think it might have something to do with this summer’s wet weather. Water can erode joints and weaken foundations, especially in houses with leaky roofs or inade quate downspouts. “You would be surprised at how certain things such as having a downspout on your house, having your roof inspected — that is what keeps these properties from col lapsing,” said Andrea White of the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections. The problem, though, was years in the making. Philadelphia’s hous ing stock has been deteriorating for THE ENEMY FOR AN A1L-NKHT RAVE WITHOUT THE EMRARRASSM6 lARTME FORPOSS Gonna be a late one? Then reach for new BALANCE GOLD* with 23 vitamins and minerals. With a 40-30-30 ratio of carbs, protein and dietary fat, it helps give your body sustained energy. Plus, you can’t go wrong with all those peanuts, caramel and that rich chocolate flavor. Want to know more? Log on to Balance.com. three decades, largely the result of a population exodus that cost the city 550,000 residents. Philadelphia is now down to 1.4 million people. 'uesday, August Jud clai We are trying to get a better handle on what condition the buildings are in.” — Barbara Grant Spokesperson for Philadelphia's mayor John F. Street from $6,5(X) to $11,000 perbui| “We’re trying to get a better!; die on what condition thebuili are in, which is why wfe’re overfly the buildings. A lot ofli you can tell if you can see roofs,” said Barbara Grant spokeswoman for Mayor Jolt Street. The mayor, who has beemti f om t ^ ie L *' el fice since January, madea$250i Aen, which lion blight-removal programotr the centerpieces of his c; has yet to get off the grown ientially fata Under the Monday, fen aides promised the money wit PP t0 City officials said Philadelphia now has about 20,(XX) vacant lots and more than 30,000 vacant houses. Of those, more than 3,100 are classified as “imminently dangerous,” or in immediate need of demolition. City inspectors plan to use heli copters Tuesday to assess the extent of the problem and look for telltale signs of buildings in danger, such as rain water pooled on roofs and trees grow ing wild from the tops of houses. The city also plans to step up de molition from about 30 buildings a week to as many as 60. The cost ranges place by fall. In the meantime, License Inspections has been using wll calls “curbside demolition":^ an inspector determines a hoK about to collapse, the city asf: fnolition companies to submiii: on the spot. The low bidderte work immediately. From her stoop across theste Velma McDuffy watched inter Monday afternoon as an excavat machine tore into the remainsofti collapsed rowhouses. The atm doned buildings caved in adding another sad chapter toil gradual, decades-long McDuffy’s North Philadelf: neighborhood. | Back to School Special! i : ||0*RrucKei$ t 1/3 lb. Original Hamburger »3.8Q ^ 1 . Hurry - Offer expires Sept. 30, 2000 2206 S Texas Ave, College Station, Tx Limit - 1 per customer / Must hove coupon PH1LAD1 •ederal judg' nosed $3.75 nent of he; would get f their level o [hey took the also includes ical monitor! U.S. Dis Bechtle gave the settlemen an appeal, a users could ment checks More tha Wo den job; HomeCentral' Stop by the Sears Service Center for: Reconditioned Stereo’s, TV’s, VCR’s, DVD Players & Tools - All reconditioned items have same warranty as new! Great prices on new dorm refrigerators, microwaves & vacuum cleaners. BRING TOTS AD IN FOR s 5 OFF ANY PURCHASE OF s T 0 OR MORE! Expires: October 26, 2000 1500 Holleman Dr., East • 764-0311 Need new members for your organization??? It is that time again... miC foil Open tlou/e September 3, from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Table/ fire On Sale!!! Reserving space is Easy! Go to the MSC Box Office in Rudder Tower by Wednesday, August 30th at 5 p.m., complete a registration form, and pay $30 for your recognized student organization or university department. Cash, check, aggie bucks, or credit cards are accepted. Space is limited! Tables are awarded on first come, firs serve basis, and only one table is allowed per organization. If you have any questions, contact James Glueck, MSC Execu tive Director of Marketing at 845-1515. 4C Sponsored By: MSC MARKETING TEAM (1“JPlease call 845-1515 to inform us of your special needs The only official calendar of Texas A&M University BATH, ing worke Works, bui ers, walked in a demam job security About 8 members w favor of the first walkou Portela, a u Ashipy; the compan and that the tion of the 4,800 emp prise. “W< back to the Sue Pierter ■ The wor at mid nigh duction at yards that t The last str (General l> walkout in I “I want General D ford it,” P, rigger, said arrived at v dozens of waved sigr At anotl nearly 3,00( Sunday ag; plants of R; at the com which mak missile, Ra\ fense prodi terns are ah Raythe the Intern of Electr 1505, saic posals for don’t do et ufacturing Aggie CAR‘ SPOF m Bookstore in the MSC Produced by the Department of Student Activities, contact 1 . Williams at ryan@stuact.tamu. e: with questions F LOW MUS & EX (Que newcar to