Photo: Sandy Smith, for the Philadelphia Real Estate Blog
- At North Broad & Chew Streets, the Philadelphia Real Estate Blog stops by the 1946 Beneficial Savings Fund Society bank, one of the last examples of original Art Deco construction in Philadelphia. Now being shopped around by Precision Realty Group for $675,000, the old Beneficial—donning the city’s second largest sign atop its roof—will likely be a lucrative opportunity for reuse, says the blog, as rumor has it that a major redevelopment project is being prepared for the block just to the south.
- On Philly.com, Sam Wood previews this Friday’s TEDx event at Temple University, which will explore how Philadelphia is becoming “The New Workshop of the World.” This year’s collection of speakers represents a diverse selection of the innovative workshop that is Philadelphia. The website also “spoke with Thaddeus Squire, a TEDxPhiladelphia organizer [and Hidden City’s founder] about how this year’s conference came to be, criticism directed at the TED phenomenon, and what it takes to be a TEDxPhiladelphia speaker.”
- A replacement hot air balloon was announced last week for the 6ABC ZooBalloon, reports the Philadelphia Business Journal, which means that you can guarantee spotting the iconic attraction above Fairmount Park for at least one more season. The previous balloon was damaged beyond repair by a rather heavy snowfall just last month.
- In order to get a more accurate grasp on the extent and variability of public use of several regional trails, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission will install automated bicycle and pedestrian counters this spring that will continuously track their use in near-real-time, says Plan Philly. The four counters to be installed in the city itself—the exact locations have yet to be decided—will guide future planning efforts for The Circuit, the eventual 750-mile regional trail system.
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.
