Morning Blend
A Look At Plans For North Broad’s Blue Horizon
Developers show the Planning Commission what they want to do with the Blue Horizon, the Water Department rewards a construction contract for a new Bridesburg facility, an engaged community in Hunting Park, and the cost of "small government" in Harrisburg > more
With Sale, 1616 Walnut May Go Residential
The new owners of 1616 Walnut may opt for a overhaul of the iconic building, townhouses coming to Bella Vista, the Inky in for land banks, Chestnut Hill's Mico featured in GQ, and a new slogan for Roxborough > more
Some Love Lost
History's lessons on why the city doesn't really love you back, Councilman Goode demands that SEPTA pay its fair share, St. Laurentius to remain open in Fishtown, a South Philadelphia restaurant in legal turmoil, and > more
Mr. Nutter, Tear Down This Highway!
Yet another call for Philadelphia to seek reconnection to its major river, Independence Hall "unveiling" tomorrow, citizens opt for personal police work in Kensington, (forgivable) NIMBYism in Roxborough, and (some of) the Witherspoon Building up for rent > more
“Carpenter Square,” A Dramatic Push Forward For G-Ho
A contract awarded to a residential development in Graduate Hospital, residents offer their support for a church in U City, the Philosophical Society preserving the legacy of the Cherokee, determining what makes for a beautiful Philly street, and a call-to-art on Ogontz Ave > more
Chestnut Hill Residents Sue Over Spot Zoning
Chestnut Hill residents challenge the legality of allowing the project at 8200 Germantown Ave., the ins-and-outs of rooftop photography, free trees for Philly, and > more
“Undying Love” At Laurel Hill Cemetery
Tracking down Laurel Hill's more unusual love stories, urban seclusion brought by faulty construction decades ago in Logan, previewing a new Center City park, and > more
The Atwater Kent Reopens
The Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent reveals its newest additions, Obama to support the deepening of the Delaware, author's new book sees Fishtown as prime example of American decline, and construction starts on the Walnut Street Bridge > more
“Don’t Feed The Homeless!” (On The Parkway)
Reviewing the motives against regulating "food safety" for the Parkway's homeless, a West Philly bike trail criticized for being unrealistic to needs, more vacancies being adapted into apartments, and a visit to a Mount Airy Hindu temple > more
Wayne Junction Designated National Historic District
Wayne Junction assisted in its preservation effort, a Chestnut Hill resident proud of her neighborhood's new-found diversity, Philly high for racial inequality, and > more
Green Woods Charter School To Relocate To The Woods
A Roxborough charter finds a location to construct a fitting new school building, looking at plans for a three-mile long trail on the City Line branch, why Comcast has been slow in giving the Internet to low income Philadelphians, and > more
Legislators Positioning Broad Street Treasures For Reuse
The Nutter administration to push for sale of the Divine Lorraine, South Broad's Third Regiment Armory may be granted more options in its reuse, Dickens' birthday celebrated in Clark Park, and updates to the new Centre Square MAP project > more
Drexel To Greatly Bolster Housing Accommodations
New student housing to assist in Drexel's goals, a review of the van Gogh exhibit, new SEPTA tracks in NoLibs, counting Philly's bikes, and a documentary premiere > more
Winning Plan Calls For Distinct Connections To The Delaware
Talking with the winners of the Ed Bacon student competition, Councilwoman Sánchez pushes for a central land bank, city leaders seek a world-renown reputation for Philly, and visiting a sustainable Mount Airy restaurant > more
Philly’s Habit For “Space Saving” Now An Art Form
The art of space saving on display, West Philly residents dream to reuse a lofty vacant building, cross-institutional planning in U City, the Art Commission approves plans for the Family Court building, and > more
Owner Of Historic Church Slammed For Lack Of Effort & Imagination In Its Sale
The case for adaptive reuse, the science of urban wayfinding, seeking an improved Holmesburg Junction, and lingering pessimism in Hunting Park > more
Historic Preservation Or Democracy In Overbrook Farms?
Questioning a community's priorities in Overbrook Farms, Dilworth Plaza's "groundbreaking," Boy Scouts HQ sale a no-go, and a new development OK'ed in Francisville > more
Golden Defends Her Mural Arts Program
The beloved Philadelphia Arts program under attack; Restaurant Week's critics; Ed Bacon Student Design Competition Award this week; and the Auto Show goes green, again > more
Checking Up On The PHA’s Property Auction
The jagged process and often under-confidence of the PHA's properties auction revealed, lowered expectations for the prospects of the urban riverfront, cleaning up McPherson Square, and bettering Holme Circle > more
Reversing The Deadly Numbers Of Strawberry Mansion
Seeking a "ceasefire" for Strawberry Mansion, submissions for preservation awards due, Lancaster Ave's renaissance, Market East Staples to close, and looking at ads on public space > more
Holmesburg Prison Artwork Preserved & Exhibited
Chronicling the prison artwork of Holmesburg Prison, Penn gets new astronomy lab space, Point Breeze meeting postponed after shouting-match, and Philly U's sustainable fashion show > more
Vetting The Options For Philly’s Re-Branding
What will Philly be known for next?, the persistent need for good schools in retaining a population, a sustainability design challenge, and Israeli trees come to life at the Jewish History Museum > more
Historic Nineteenth Century Glass Works Unearthed
Dyottville glassworks uncovered in the Riverwards, spot zoning more problematic than "visibility rights," a clear favorite emerges among plans to replace Liddonfield, and the busier Philadelphia ports of 2011 > more
Hersha Hospitality Looks To Snatch Up The Rittenhouse
Luxury hotel group looks at the Rittenhouse Square's eponymous haven, explaining the under-interest in the district plans for Philadelphia2035, a medicinal exhibit at the PA Hospital, and being realistic about the Lower Schuylkill Master Plan > more
Catholic Schools Arguing To Remain Open
Arguing for the relevance of Catholic education in Fishtown, Microsoft's avoidance behavior of inner-city blight, the PCCC to define signage, and the Mariposa Food Co-Op set for move > more
Lenfest Hall’s “Missed Opportunites”
"Okay isn't okay" for Lenfest Hall's lacking modernist design, according to one blogger; seeking continuity on Chestnut; ban on Temple student housing in Yorktown upheld; and > more
Occupiers Work On Kensington Community Garden
Occupiers attempt to re-do blighted lot in Kensington through agriculture, South Philadelphians resist billboards, looking at PennDOT's strategy for Port Richmond projects, and > more
That Beloved Litany: The “City Of Firsts”
Historian reviews another of Philadelphia's treasured monikers, confusion in waterfront overlay timeline, already analyzing the redevelopment of shuttered area Catholic schools, and Temple to get more housing > more
Ridge Flats To Use Virtually No Energy
Reviewing the innovative energy saving prospects of East Falls' upcoming Ridge Flats, the Schuylkill River Trail improved in the Northwest, the Dilworth House still safe, and > more
An Abandoned Restaurant & Diverging Visions For Venice Island
Carmella's Restaurant in the middle for a disagreement for re-interpreting Manayunk's Venice Island, the Northeast's schools are overcrowded, saying goodbye to the Navy Yard's Mustin homes, and > more
Pre-Fab In Brewerytown
Exploring modular construction in Brewerytown, a favorite Center City public space to be renamed, the quest to rid the Parkway of parking, and > more
Photographer’s Work Tells Of “Changing Neighborhoods”
The Art Museum promotes Zoe Strauss's exhibit with billboards across the city, a very successful first year for a Nicetown community center, fighting to remember a slave cemetery in Germantown, and > more
City Adamant In Pursuing PHL Expansion
Despite resistance from airlines, the city wants to expand the airport in a multi-billion dollar effort; looking at the possibilities of the old West Philly High building; Wanamaker Middle School demolished; and reviewing the progress of homeless programs > more
West Catholic to Close
The archdiocesan families to learn of their schools' fate, the implications of redrawing catchment zones, the start of the planning process for the Lower Schuylkill, and concerns for the Eighth District's economic vitality > more
One Story Too Far For Family Court Building?
Situational compromise concerning the height of Center City's new Family Court building, the past and future of an Upper Holmesburg housing project, Cedar Park plans for new Baltimore Ave, and previewing MLK day's programs at Girard College > more
Spring Garden New Deal Mural Saved
A New Deal mural granted a new lease on life, the Mayor to travel to Denver to study its school system, the possibilities of an abandoned Kensington brewery, and > more
Still Awaiting Decision On The Provident Mutual Building
Awaiting to see if the West Philly building will replace the Roundhouse, Philadelphia to reprise its role as instigator of American revolution?, talking with new Councilman Squilla, and the city gets its first poet laureate > more
Archbishop To Sell Overbrook Mansion
Philadelphia's Archbishop decides to downsize in the face of school closings, this year's Mummers parade cut back, the possibilities of the Winter Classic, and nervousness over Callowhill's development > more
A New Year, A New Zoning Code
The Mayor signs the new zoning reform law, a look back at Philadelphia public space in 2011, an attempt to further Philly cooperatives on a national scale, and previewing the Winter Classic > more
South Philly Readies For Xfinity Live!
A closer look at South Philadelphia's Xfinity Live!, guessimating 2012 for Center CIty real estate, a photo essay exploring Christmas in Philadelphia, and more > more
Saws Abuzz
Visiting a Germantown workshop, previewing a Fishtown industrial-art-space conversion, judging the hopes of Manton Street Park, and Philly given the chance to snatch some of Bill Gates' millions for education > more
Congressmen Attempt To Save Refinery Jobs
Brady and Meehan try to coax buyers of Sunoco's refineries, the Parking Authority renews a hated contract of taxidrivers, South Philadelphia denied a federal Promise Neighborhood, and more > more
Architect Talks Rivage Plans
The Onion Flats' Tim McDonald on the Redevelopment Authority's Rivage project in East Falls, four parks announced through out the city, tracking SEPTA's latest delays, and shifting expectations with the Reading Viaduct > more
Fox Chase And Temple Health To Merge
Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Temple health system set to combine their forces, Frank DiCicco fails to help Finnigan's Wake expand, XFINITY LIVE! (not Philly LIVE!) to come to South Philly, an more > more
Philly Artists Turning Away From Galleries
Alternative art spaces (and ideas) on the rise, the prospect of a Neighborhood Improvement District in Callowhill no more, plans for Philly LIVE! to be unveiled, and more > more
Germantown’s Wister Station "Little Known And Underutilized"
The Germantown station fighting trash and disrespect, Bowman's Magarity project in Chestnut Hill approved, the death-nail for the Foxwoods Casino proposal, and Temple's next residence hall gets a name > more
Faith For Hunting Park
Looking for reasons for Hunting Park's recent and dramatic growth, West Park finalizing its 2035 district plan, the Mayor promises a veto for building wrapping, and a Kensington school struggles to prove relevancy > more
Philadelphia #1 For Green School Design
Philly deemed the best in innovative green school design, Toll Bros. G-Ho project improved slightly, a West Oak Lane ice rink reopens, and more > more
The Avenue Of The Arts Spreading To North Broad
Struggles to extend the Avenue of the Arts to the other side of City Hall, Chicago follows SEPTA's lead, and more > more
Chestnut Hill Hesitant Over Another Daycare Center
Chestnut Hill residents question the need to fill the old Borders store with a daycare chain, a closed school makes way for a mixed-use plaza by Temple, post offices to remain open in the Northwest, and more. > more
Abandoned Schools “Catastrophes Waiting To Happen”
The city controller's call to demolish eight abandoned schools, Point Breeze residents feeling betrayed, a look at another LEED building in University City, and Chelten Plaza's story > more
More Than A Prelude: Philadelphia’s Planning Revolution
Discussing Philadelphia's new found confidence in city planning, rumors of an overburdened Four Seasons, a new PHA project in the Southwest, and a look at a popular Germantown barbershop > more
How Green Is Your (Spring) Garden (Street)?
Proposals for a true boulevard on Spring Garden Street, the fight over Snowden's Magarity project extended, next phase of Schuylkill Banks, and more > more
High Hopes For Center City
Discerning signs of further growth downtown, revisiting MLK High in East Germantown, Mayor Nutter's labor policies drawing criticism, and SugarHouse Casino approved for expansion > more
Spot Zoning in Spotlight in City Council Today
The end of University City's Philly Diner and the future of 39th and Walnut, urban farming in Germantown, and the state of the Wissahickon > more
Construction Begins For New Penn Medicine Building
High rise at 8th & Walnut to elevate above current parking garage/retail building, Dilworth Plaza nostalgia, new businesses in store for Brewerytown, and more > more
Going Old School At The Melrose Diner
Philly Mag rubs shoulders with regulars, improvements for Franklin Square, green roofing conference coming to town, hope for Rivage site in East Falls, and more > more
Chestnut Hill To Get Parking Kiosks?
Dismay at Chestnut Hill's public parking plans, special looks at FDR Park and Morris Arboretum, the remains of Occupy's Dilworth Plaza camp brace for final confrontation with police, and more > more
Mayor Nutter Showcases Tax Delinquents
The Mayor fights for the city's dues, homelessness on the Parkway and in Fairhill, urban agriculture in West Philly, and the return of the Christmas Village > more
Last Leaf Of Bella Vista Mural Falls
No hope for David Guinn's seasonal mural, residents' anger at Richard Snowden in Chestnut Hill, The Nutcracker ballot set in the Northwest, and more > more
The Bicycle Coalition To Make South Philly More Bikeable
Also: school closing in Roxborough, a mural in Germantown advances, and whither Fabric Row? > more
Lardner’s Point To Return To Natural State
Reclaiming wetlands in Tacony, the city offering an incentive for the Inky to stay and help revitalize Market East, and a look at the University City's Perelman Center > more
The Power Of A Green Lot
A new study confirms suspicions that a green lot helps grow a community, Drexel's New Brutalism reviewed, and Germantown seeking some art cred > more
Philadelphia Deemed Most Ambitious Green City
Philly's green plans commended, uncertainty with the vote to lift drilling in the Delaware, SEPTA to get a better fare system, and a new CDC in Germantown > more
Wayne Junction Open House Tonight
SEPTA highlights Wayne Junction's transformation, rezoning for two projects, the PHA auctions off properties > more
Mixed Emotions Over Chelten Plaza Plans
Allegations of spot-zoning in Germantown, SugarHouse gets approval, study space at Penn, remembering Frazier, and a look at city's food scene > more
Great March Back?
Evaluating the repopulation of Center City, the Central Delaware's progress, new life for Market East, and a look at the police "ponying up" > more
Mayor Nutter Seeks De-Occupation
Confrontations and urban studies at Dilworth Plaza, park planning in Mount Airy, and a look at a new Mantua shop > more
Fracking Jury Still Out
City Paper's call for environmental prudence, controversial land sales in North Philadelphia, choices for East Falls, and new art at Centre Square > more
New Zoning Code Advances
Passes commission, next test is City Council; also, the new CHOP facility at 48th and Market, Azuka Theater finds a home, and last public meeting for the 2035 West Park District Plan > more
A Look At Work On I-95
Updates on I-95's progress in Port Richmond, more work for longshoremen, and architectural apologies at Penn. > more
New Quaker Meetinghouse Coming To Chestnut Hill
Quakers keep it simple, PhilaPhilia on an abandoned bridge in Grays Ferry, Vernon Park goes green, Roots mural, and the Bella Vista Open House Tour > more
An Emergent 40th Street
Transforming the 40th St. corridor, residents beautify Marvine St., and the Inky and Daily News look for new digs after selling their building to Bart Blatstein > more
Penn To Decide On New Life Sciences Hub
Another new building for Penn (maybe), what to do about City Line Ave., and an award-winning plan for a Green Brewerytown > more
S(ell) O(ur) S(chools)!
Schools on the block, drug rehab in Ogontz?, imaginative planning by Peoples Emergency Center, and CHOP sees green > more
Lessons From Latrobe
Green City Clean Water's basis in history, $46 million to reclaim Venice Island, more talks on the Rivage site in East Falls, and archeology on display at Kensington CAPA > more
The Fair-Mounted Police
New police horse stables, wondering about Eastern State, cheap rents, and discontent in Temple Town > more
Not Your Granddaddy’s Spray Park
Forward-design for Seger Park's water feature, a Cramp in Delaware Waterfront plans, Eagles game parking, disappointment at the top of the Hill, and TEDxPhilly next week > more
Chestnut Hill College Permitted to Expand
Its student population doubling in the previous eight years, Chestnut Hill College has been given the green light by its community to begin construction of > more
Frank DiCicco’s Spotty Record
Spot zoning, L&I crack-down, Frankford Avenue, an old Penn Fruit to become the Center for Culinary Excellence, and an interview with David Guinn > more
Historical Committee Protects Sign in Old CIty
Preservation in Old City, a successful urban garden on West Market, a day in Philly in photos, and a visiting documentary on urban design. > more
The Green Invisible Hand
Green jobs, clash of necessity at Dilworth Plaza, Benjamin Franklin Museum, Wistar's expansion, and the legacy of William Penn > more
Stages of Life in New Mural
Laurel Hill's mural, Chestnut Hill College's controversial expansion, Walnut Hill urban farm, PHA scandal, and a writer seeks Detroit R-E-S-P-E-C-T > more
More Bricks for G-Ho
2400 South Street fails on all levels, BLT's 50th anniversary, the opening of a public plaza at 30th Street Station, and little profit for selling old schools > more
Matheson Bows to LeBow
Demolition in University City, rejection in Chestnut Hill, elevation in Manayunk, and resilience in Hunting Park > more
City as Salvage
An update on Poor Clares, a DesignPhiladelphia event with Provenance, future of David Guinn's mural at 9th and Bainbridge and the Royal Theater, still languishing > more
“The Big Boys Are Showing Up” on North Broad
Also: Aging Yorktown, homeless on the Parkway, public access on the Mall, and Mural Arts at DesignPhiladelphia > more
Live Arts Approved for Waterfront HQ
Also apartments at 40th and Pine, Erdy-McHenry hotel at the Navy Yard, Occupy moves around, and considering the Workshop of the World > more
LEED Certified Park on 33rd Street
"Shoemaker Green," seeking a Borders replacement in Chestnut Hill, digging around the Convention Center, and Occupation musing > more
New Apartment Buildings for Temple & Penn?
Apartments for 40th and Pine?, PHA sell-off, GQ back-handed complement, and a community farm in the southwest > more
Commonwealth Award for PHA in North Philly
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania lauds the PHA project, also Viridity Energy chooses a LEED HQ, and pondering Toll Brothers in G-Ho > more
Design Is a Thread Through Everything
DesignPhiladelphia kick-off with a Viaduct tour, LOOK on Lancaster Ave, and a donation to Penn's School of Design > more
Pig Iron Settles In
The theater co.'s new permanent home, a bike lane experiment, a model home in Bella Vista, and the impact of black flight > more
Arch Street 2.0?
A new CHOP in West Philly, Robert Morris becomes apartments, art in Bella Vista, and the Barnes leaps another legal hurdle > more
Viaduct More Than A Dream
Paul Levy elevates, North Broad lighting is approved, Mantua Square opens, and the Bike and Pedestrian plan heads west (and north) > more
Industrial Maneuvers
Still in search of industry, thoughts on a new name for the Italian Market?, and the history of Fairmount Park > more
Unabridged
Race Street Connector complete, Franklin Institute close to expansion, and cleaning up the Wissahickon post-Irene > more
Deflate the Rat, For Now
Economic protests, history replayed, and a new student housing development > more
Ships Aplenty
Two Ships to be built at the Navy Yard, food competition on Germantown Ave, plus two neighborhoods struggle to finance green space > more
Skate City
A new park in the works, old ones are improved, plus the reuse of Callowhill and Roxborough > more
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