
“Mayor Michael Nutter places a plant into the roof of the Free Library of Philadelphia during a ceremony in 2008.” | Photo: Matt Rourke, for the Associated Press, via NewsWorks
- NewsWorks’ Carolyn Beeler evaluates the performance of Mayor Nutter in his quest to have Philadelphia regarded as “the greenest city in America” by 2015. Obviously the campaign rhetoric for a mostly liberal city, that aspiration seems to have been achieved in some measure, says Beeler, with sustainability pundits across the nation taking note of Philly’s initiatives like the mandatory reporting of buildings’ energy efficiency and our stormwater management system. Yet, looking ahead, the next mayor will have to make tough choices as to which path to follow: a peddler of innovative green solutions for the urban environment or fossil fuels.
- Just north of Washington Square, the Curtis Center will get a $125 million makeover–its first in 35 years–Philly.com says. Currently an office building, the western half of upstair floors will soon offer 55-units of luxury apartments, while the 30,000-square-feet of ground floor space will provide room for seven retail ventures, including a restaurant, bar, gym, coffee shop, and spa. The lobby will have several alterations, but thankfully Maxfield Parrish’s famed Tiffany mosaic The Dream Garden is here to stay.
- Over at his very own Philaphilia blog, Hidden City columnist GroJLart (The Shadow) pleads for the reuse of one especially promising storefront, that of 1101 Market Street Suite 125 in the Aramark Tower, which has sat vacant for since mid-2007. Still configured for use as a coffee shop, the blogger suggests a La Colombe, Passero’s, or Green Street location for the 1,000-square-foot space.
Leave a Reply
Recent Posts
Demolition Proposal For Chinatown Landmark Triggers Public Outcry
A demolition permit application for the former Chinese Cultural and Community Center on 10th Street provokes confusion and anger. Michael Bixler has the news > more
Sharswood Tour Spotlights African American Landmark
Efforts to save the former home and studio of Philadelphia Black Renaissance artist Dox Thrash will take center stage with a neighborhood tour and discussion. Kessler Thibert has the story > more
Exhuming A Pyramid Of Petrol Along The “Golden Mile”
Greg Prichard takes us on a suburban expedition to find Vincent Kling's lost, modernist gas station on City Avenue > more
Conkling-Armstrong House & Jewelers Row District Go Before Designation Committee
Starr Herr-Cardillo has this roundup of local register nominations on the agenda at the February meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission's Designation Committee > more
Under Construction: Charles Library At Temple University
Something Snøhetta this ways comes. Michael Bixler takes us to the quad at Temple University where its new library is currently taking shape > more
A Life Of Community Service For Theaters In North Philly
The legendary Uptown Theater is gearing up for its 90th anniversary this month with a new fundraising campaign and the lighting of its original marquee. To mark the occasion, cinema scholar Joan McGettigan gives us a social history lesson on the neighborhood movie houses near North Broad Street > more