- The Roxborough Review reports that Kay Sykora, executive director of the Schuylkill Project, updated the Manayunk Neighborhood Council on several projects now underway, including the Schuylkill Trail and the Venice Island recreation Center. “We are going to be trail central,” said Sykora, commenting on Manayunk’s integral position along the Schuylkill in relation to the city as a whole.
- City Council President Darrell Clarke has introduced a bill that would create “development districts” in key locations in the city. In his piece in the Daily News, he explains his strategy in ridding the city of its vast inventory of vacant parcels. “City-owned property would be discounted, depending on the level of distress in the market. In return, the buyer must begin construction within six months and complete construction with 24 months or risk forfeiting the property.”
- NewsWorks looks at Bowman Properties redesign for its controversial project for 8200 Germantown Avenue. While developer Richard Snowden claims that the designs are “quiet and dignified,” some claim that Bowman Properties is “hiding the ball,” and that in actuality the redesign is actually bigger than previous renderings.
- In Chestnut Hill, the Friends of Pastorius Park have installed two bat houses in the hope of augmenting the park’s bat population, which board member Tracy Gardner claims has diminished in recent years. More bats, of course, means insects.















