The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority will begin work on a portfolio of 25 repossessed properties in Germantown and Mount Airy

Hidden City connects with Redevelopment Authority director Gregory Heller on his vision for the agency’s role in Philadelphia’s growth

With the fate of Germantown’s historic YWCA in balance, Councilwoman Cindy Bass says she will stabilize and renovate while waiting for a new round of development proposals for the site, which advocates feared would be torn down

A proposal by Mission First Housing Group to reuse the Germantown YWCA for low-income senior housing was officially rejected yesterday by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. Amid fears that the building may now be threatened with demolition, local residents will hold a public emergency meeting this Thursday night to air concerns and get more information from the developers and City officials. Hidden City co-editor Michael Bixler has the details

In collaboration with young people in three Philly neighborhoods, artist Jebney Lewis has created a Frankenstein-like 20-ft-tall sculpture called Super Creature of Energy and Power. Lee Tusman talks with the artist about temporary installations, artistic collaborations, and Voltron.

Grays Ferry “Commotion” festival (June 16-30) indicates shift away from traditional installation art. Jennifer Leibert has some insight in a Q&A with Julia Guerrero, director of the Redevelopment Authority’s Percent for Art Program. They talk about how the program is funded, hidden gems in the collection, and the impetus behind “Commotion”