L&I Commissioner Carlton Williams |Photo: NBC10
- City Paper offers a sobering analysis of the long road ahead in the City’s efforts to prevent another tragedy like the 2012 Buck Hosiery fire in Kensington. For all the reforms imposed soon after the fire or the proposed departmental reviews found within this week’s grand jury report, the fact remains that L&I is overburdened in a city of an estimated 40,000 vacant properties, as NBC10 continued to explain after last June’s building collapse at 22nd & Market. “The department must focus its 200 inspectors and other limited resources — just seven city attorneys handle between 5,000 to 8,000 code-enforcement cases in court each year — on what it deems to be the city’s most dangerous buildings, while others that are still potentially hazardous get put on the back burner.” And the new power to expedite regulations by declaring a multitude of buildings “imminently dangerous” hardly incentivizes L&I to use it; if the property owners fail to address the underlying issue (a statistical probability), L&I is to be held accountable in the wake of any disaster.
- Ground was ceremonially broken yesterday at 3601 Market Street for the University City Science Center’s first residential project, reports the Philadelphia Real Estate Blog. Developed by Southern Land and designed by BLTa, the apartment complex will expand upon the Science Center’s continuing transformation of this stretch of Market Street, noted BLTa partner Michael Priffi. “We celebrate the 24 x 7 x 365 character of the urban places we enjoy,” he said. “And that requires the combining of offices and residences.”
- Last month the City amended The Philadelphia Code to include “pedestrian amenities,” allowing the Department of Licenses and Inspections to issue applicants licenses for pedestrian plazas, bike corrals, and parklets. The standardized procedure moves away from the ad hoc implementation of such community enhancements associated with the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities’ pilot programs, says Plan Philly.
- Citing health concerns, Greg Williams will close his Walk A Crooked Mile Books store in the Mt. Airy regional rail station come late August. He admits to NewsWorks that he has proven himself a more accomplished community organizer for his Northwest Philly neighborhood than he has a successful businessman—“but that’s OK with me,” he adds. Williams will gradually increase discounts on his remaining inventory.
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.
