Used to be a time when huge maple trees lined 62nd Street between Arch and Race.
When neighbors sat on their porches in the evenings after work and swept their sidewalks every Saturday morning.
It was a time when folks popped over to Certelle's Meat Market on 62nd and Race to chat with the owner and his two sons.
Or they'd stroll to 62nd and Arch to Miss Frances' pharmacy, where they knew to go early on Thursdays because Miss Frances closed up shop to go to the opera.
Today, nothing is left of those haunts except the memories of the block's old-time residents.
The once-prosperous block is now peppered with drug dens and vacant houses. Desperate residents say they've tried without success to get the city to seal the dangerous pits.
``They were all good houses, but a lot of the older people died,'' said Pearl Wallace, 72, who has lived on the block for 45 years. ``And a lot of the younger people don't care as much.''
But yesterday a little hope came back to 62nd Street. After two drug-related murders and an arson hit an alleged drug house in the middle of the block, the city finally stepped in.
Work crews from the Department of Licenses and Inspections began clearing charred debris from the fire-ravaged house early in the morning. They closed another alleged drug haven across the street and poured cement to seal a vacant house that had become a hangout for crackheads.
Police officers clustered on corners and a Streets Department sweeping truck cleaned the street.
``The block in my view was getting out of control,'' said Councilman Michael Nutter, who organized the cleanup effort. ``It's unfortunate things got to this point. It was a beautiful block, but I'm hoping today's activities will re-energize residents to stay involved.''
Those who live on the block were happy with the attention, but many were wary that the extra police presence and services wouldn't last.
``It's good that they're out here,'' said block captain David Jordan. ``But I don't have much faith they're going to stay out here.''
As he spoke, Philadelphia Gas Works crews turned off the gas at an alleged drug house next door. Peco Energy planned to shut off the illegal electric hookup.
Other residents said Nutter's and the city's actions came too late. They say they've complained for years about the eyesores, but L&I and others always blew them off.
``It's sad two people had to die to get them out here,'' said one 54-year-old resident who has lived on 62nd Street all her life.
