Drexel University proposed Innovation Neighborhood | Rendering: Drexel University
- Drexel University has sent out a formal request for proposals to prospective master developers for its envisioned 10-acre Innovation Neighborhood in University City. The Philadelphia Business Journal says that proposals are due by Halloween and that a final selection will be made in the Spring, with the signing of a 99-year ground lease for the site expected at that time.
- In a Daily News piece, one gets a sense of the extent to which the Department of Parks and Recreation can effectively tend to the urban canopy. Joe and Janet Witkowski tried–unsuccessfully–to have the City send a tree specialist to trim the rotting tree that has threatened their home next to Walton Run in the Far Northeast’s Modena Park neighborhood. While first deputy commissioner of parks and facilities Mark Focht concedes that a dangerous tree on City land is indeed the responsibility of his department, he stresses that Parks & Rec must prioritize its workload with trees with a more direct public impact. Currently, the City employs one full-time certified arborist for every 100,000 trees there are within its borders.
- Noting a disparity between the profusion of artists living and working in the Mantua and Powelton Village neighborhoods with the impact aesthetic interventions transforming Fishtown and Northern Liberties, Drexel University researchers prepared a study to better understand the problem and ways to rectify it. ”A Fragile Ecosystem: The Role of Arts and Culture in Philadelphia’s Mantua, Powelton Village and West Powelton Neighborhoods,” says the University City Review, concludes that the relatively low public investment for arts in the area has inhibited collaboration; local talent, without notable institutional support, generally fails to access the social network needed to create and inspire.
- The Zoning Board of Adjustment has tabled a decision on developer David Perlman’s zoning relief request for his proposed mixed-demo/reuse of vacant factory buildings at 420-442 Fairmount Avenue, reports Plan Philly, advising him to make a separate deal with the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association. The NLNA hopes to preserve the industrious character of the area by retaining office space; Perlman wants a free hand to convert units to residential if the commercial components do not prove viable.
- Citing today’s renaming of Market East Station and the heavily corporate-sponsered opening week of Dilworth Park, Philadelphia magazine’s Joel Mathis considers the necessities and perversions of such public-private ventures.“We need places in our public life,” he muses, “whose very names are not sales pitches.”
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.
