Photo: Courtesy of PlanPhilly
- PlanPhilly reports that yesterday, City Controller Alan Butkovitz announced that eight abandoned school buildings are in a dangerous state of disrepair, recommending demolition in order to encourage private development. Exemplifying the strained relationship between the two offices, Butkovitz bypassed the school district and went right to the media with his findings.
- The Daily News looks at the dashed hopes of Pennsport residents, who since June have tended to a vacant block on Manton Street, creating a community garden and park. Now, thanks to interdepartmental miscommunication, the lot has been sold by the city, and the neighbors have refocused their efforts to gathering signatures to stop the sale.
- Flying Kite previews 2.0 University Place, at 41st & Filbert streets, set to begin construction in the next month or two. As the city first pre-certified LEED platinum, its design is obviously resourceful, using everything from “chilled-beam mechanical systems” (as does NASA) to moderate the temperature, to rainwater to flow in the building’s toilets.
- With approval finally granted by City Council, Germantown’s Chelten Plaza project is set begin, with a ribbon cutting ceremony for completed parts of the plan scheduled for this Friday. Newsworks presents a timeline of the efforts to realize the Plaza, a protracted case study of community protest and municipal maneuverings.
About the author
Stephen Currall recently received his BA in history from Arcadia University. Before beginning doctoral studies, he is pursuing his interest in local history, specifically just how Philadelphians engage their vibrant past. Besides skimming through 18th century letters, Steve is also interested in music and travel.
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Manton Street Park is not in Point Breeze – it is located at 4th and Manton Streets, two blocks south of 4th and Washington Ave. right on the boundary between Pennsport and Dickinson Narrows.
Error to be corrected. –ed.