American Community Survey, 2012 data | Source: US Census Bureau
- With the American Community Survey’s latest data showing that Philadelphia continues to grow its population, This Old City’s Jon Getting argues that it may be time for city pols to transcend our collective decades-old habit of undercutting our fair city. City officials, he expounds, are disconcertingly persistent in their declinist attitudes and the policies that they—if valid—necessitate: “how to bribe companies to locate their headquarters here, or how to make suburban people like us and come and visit the city, using subsidized Big Culture institutions, hotels, and underpriced, oversupplied parking.” Rather, we need to return our focus to the basics: “good schools, safe neighborhoods, clean streets, low-cost transportation choices, and nice public spaces.”
- Drexel’s proposal to replace its Intercultural Center at 33rd & Chestnut with a 10-story hotel was approved last week by the Planning Commission, says Philly Living. “The Study at University City,” designed by DIGSAU Architecture and being developed by Hospitality 3 and its subsidiary Study Hotels, will include a ground floor restaurant along with “212 rooms for university-related guests and 7,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space. The entire project will consist of 145,000 square feet of space. There will also be 37 off-site parking spaces.”
- Mantua residents met yesterday at the Enterprise Center to begin discussions on how best to slash the high poverty, vacancy and crime rates found in their neighborhood, which the White House designated one of five Promise Zones across the nation in January. The Inquirer notes that the civic-minded community members who attended the meeting heard from a diverse selection of officials sharing insights about the path forward within the context of the Promise Zone designation.
- While Philadelphia may someday host the Summer Olympic Games, it will definitely not be in 2024. NewsWorks relates the expected news that City officials now feel that the bid is a bit too premature and have notified the U.S. Olympic Committee to strike the city’s name from its own short list of potential sites for those Games’ American bid.
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.
