Neal Santos | City Paper
- City Paper provides an excellent overview of the increasingly volatile arguments in Norris Square over plans for the St. Boniface site. The article contends that Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez’s opposition to the Norris Square Civic Association’s (NSCA) project, which includes “a day-care center, a school, a community center and 15 units of co-op housing,” reveals more than meets the eye (Sánchez stresses that the plan misuses a federal grant and has not been properly vetted by the community); Sánchez is countering the prevailing “sense of intimidation” in Norris Square cultivated by the NSCA, and in so doing, reminding constituents of who has been elected and who hasn’t.
- After spending the last nine years attempting to reuse the historically designated 1850s mansion at 40th & Pine (all plans were cost prohibitive or lacked support), the University of Pennsylvania is applying for financial hardship status in order to have it torn down. Eyes on the Street explores the intricacies of a preservation case that even Penn admits is unusual. “Losing this badly altered historic building is one thing, setting bad precedent is another.” For Ryan Briggs report on this issue and part two of our feature on the failing of preservation in Philadelphia, click HERE.
- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) plans to demolish the Queen Lane Apartments at Pulaski Avenue & West Queen Lane in Germantown and construct a 55-unit apartment complex in its place. But first the PHA must await the findings of geophysicists, who are analyzing the property, in order to discern the boundaries of mid-18th century potter’s field—a communal grave for the unclaimed.
- The Inquirer talks to a few Brewerytown volunteers now discussing their options as the city’s June 1 moratorium on feeding the homeless within public parks approaches. Correlating quite well with the anticipated opening of the Barnes Foundation on the Parkway, the Mayor’s office has strenuously claimed that the shift in feeding policy has been a long time coming.
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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