Photo: The Trust for Public Land, via Plan Philly
- Over at Plan Philly, Greg Heller, the principal of consulting firm Urban Direction LLC, adds some caveats to the excitement being generated by the creation of Philadelphia’s central Land Bank.“In order to stimulate development, we need to increase investment in targeted loan & grant funds, and tax credit programs for urban areas. The City can play a role here, but much of this funding comes from state and federal government programs. Thus, we need to pressure our legislators to strengthen programs like Community Development Block Grants and New Markets Tax Credits.” In addition, suggests Heller, Philly ought to tax land more on par with property in order to disincentivize speculation, increase resource allocation to CDCs, and, as far as possible, de-politicize the process.
- During this year’s budget hearings, Councilman Jim Kenney has expressed some concern with the Mayor’s Office’s priorities; while $8 million is being sought for improvements to the waterfront at Penn’s Landing, only $3 million is deemed necessary for the maintenance of fire stations. Kenney would like to amend a bill to borrow $250 million to transform the old Provident Mutual Life Insurance Building into the new Police HQ with provisions for another $40-$50 million for city-wide police and fire station improvements, reports CBS Philly.
- According to the Passyunk Post, 15 townhouses will at last come to a vacant lot at Moyamensing Avenue & Moore Streets in Pennsport. Previous plans for Moyamensing Estates fell through, but Coldwell Banker will now utilize the existing zoning designation in order to realize Moyamensing Place, which has already begun pre-construction pricing plans for the three-story, 2,400-square-feet townhomes.
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.
