Photo: Michael Bryant, for The Inquirer
- The Inquirer analyzes federal data from an American Community Survey (ACS) report released yesterday, finding that “poverty has increased a startling 62 percent in the communities of Lower Northeast Philadelphia since 1999,” while those in the Lower Northwest have seen an increase of 42%. The shifts are attributable to the influx of immigrants and college-age students, respectively. Center City and South Philadelphia each saw a bit of income growth, at 16% and 13%.
- Using Center City’s Macy’s department store on Market as its reference, Next City ponders the continued viability of the downtown American department store. Beyond Manhattan, their decline, which only began in the late 1970s, has been accelerating, with locations in St. Louis, St. Paul, Houston, and Honolulu all recently closed. Yet the Philadelphia Macy’s—with a tenth the workforce of the Manhattan branch—lingers, sustaining itself with the foot traffic of heritage tourists, convention goers, South Broad restaurant patrons, and of course, wayward Amtrak and SEPTA passengers. “But it’s also clear from those stores that Macy’s has closed, says historian John Hepp, that it is “looking very carefully at the bottom lines of individual stores. If that store starts to lose money on a consistent basis, Macy’s may very well close it. And I don’t see any other retailer coming in.” (Watch the Hidden City Daily later this week for a feature on the historic department store.)
- The Passyunk Square Civic Association (PSCA) is organizing a preservation “watch list,” which would guide its efforts to secure the designation of at least one historic property within its operating boundaries (between 6th& Broad, and Washington & Tasker). The PSCA’s Karin Morris tells Naked Philly that the loss of the Armory building at 1221 South Broad Street as the impetus for this community initiative.
- The Fire Department will begin to prioritize its emergency responses this spring with new technology from a Utah-based firm, Priority Dispatch, says Technical.ly Philly. The City will spend $400,000 to $500,000 in the system’s implementation, which will hopefully lighten the load of Philadelphia’s overworked paramedics.
- Curbed Philly shares a photo tour of the snow and graffiti covered remains of Pier 124, last used in 1991 by Conrail as a coal pier.
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.
