Mayor Nutter explains the Mural Arts Program to HUD chief Julián Castro in front of the Herman Wrice mural. | Photo: Ron Tarver, for The Inquirer
- On Friday, says The Inquirer, Julián Castro, former mayor of San Antonio and newly appointed Secretary of Housing and Development, joined Mayor Nutter and Councilwoman Blackwell for a tour of Mantua. The impoverished West Philadelphia neighborhood was selected in January by the federal government as one of five Promises Zones. When asked if Washington would directly invest in the neighborhood (rather than the grant prioritization scheme now in place), Castro said that “it’s definitely something that’s being worked on.”
- Philly Livinglooks at 350 West Oxford Street in Old Kensington–the site of which the first American branch of the Salvation Army opened in 1879 by Eliza Shirley. Owner Bob Metry, advertising the space for lease, touts the historic (yet constantly renovated, and therefore, “vaguely Modernist” in outward appearance) space’s versatility; “the building’s mission of service and salvation gave it an unusual combination of facilities: Office space, commercial quality kitchen, garage, and 1,800-square-foot auditorium, plus a fenced-in, 4,600-square-foot courtyard with plenty of mature trees.”
- On Friday, September 12th, South Philadelphia residents will host a fundraiser for the renovation of Columbus Square Park at the Wharton Street Lofts.NakedPhilly shares renderings for the Passyunk Square neighborhood proposal that the Community Design Collaborative expects to cost about $2.8 million. The yardage of the athletic fields would be diminished for the sake of a community lawn area and an expanded dog park.
- The Passyunk Post suggests that “we can take pleasure in the little things at the huge lot at Broad and Washington.” A series of cryptic signs have been spotted in one corner of the Bart Blatstein parcel, joining a guerrilla art piece that was installed last autumn.
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.
