- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) beat out the state’s other eighty-eight housing authorities for the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities’ (PAHRA) top prize in affordable design. Southwest Philly’s Paschall Village, which opened last November, impressed PAHRA for not only its aesthetics and remarkable degree of sustainability, but also for the variety of funding sources through which PHA help to realize the project.
- Flying Kite checks up on the progress of Bill No. 120052, the Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez-sponsored legislation that would create a central land bank for all of city-owned vacant land. In the coming months, the bill will be amended, encouraging community control while preserving incentives for development, yet the most notable caveat, says Flying Kite’s Greg Meckstroth, is that such a scheme, while certainly a necessary one, might encourage wholesale demolition by developers pursuing the discredited notion of urban renewal.
- At Temple Contemporary (previously Tyler School of Art), gallery director Robert Blackson is connecting bibliophiles with the paper, ink, and strings of the bookbinding process, strengthening their awareness of space in so doing. “As an art school, people come were with the expectation that things are being made all the time, so we would like to capitalize on that expectation by making the gallery also the site of production.”
- The first annual History Affiliates Luncheon will be held on October 19 at the Union League on South Broad, honoring several small-to-mid-sized history organizations in Pennsylvania’s five southeastern counties. In a press release, History Affiliates stresses that it “aims to support history and heritage organizations by developing a sense of community in the field; lowering the barriers of participation in terms of money, time, and location; aggregating information and resources that support heritage organizations; and creating a central ‘voice’ representing the interests of the sector.” For more information, as well as the chance to purchase tickets for the event, click HERE.
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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The fact that this project won any sort of recognition, let alone an award, is an atrocity. This level mediocrity is an insult to progressive urban development.