Here's what we're reading this week about the projects, people and policies driving local development:
Reading Terminal hosts dinner with Syrian refugees, "breaking bread, breaking barriers" 2/2/2017, Kenneth Hilario
Reading Terminal hosted dinner for local long term residents and recent Syrian immigrants, planned before the November election.
Brandywine Realty has big year with sales, sees lease up at FMC Tower
2/2/2017, Natalie Kostelni
Philadelphia Business Journal reports on Brandywine Realty’s successful 2016.
After blowback, Blackwell scraps her sidewalk bill
2/6/2017, Jake Blumgart
Councilwoman Blackwell introduces a bill requiring specific Councilmanic approval to put a bench or planter on a sidewalk, gets massive negative community response and holds the bill, but may revise it.
Can Philadelphia continue to thrive without immigration?
2/6/2017, Jake Blumgart
PlanPhilly asks, will federal policies to slow immigration have a negative impact on Philadelphia’s recent growth trajectory?
State legislators push back on Philly soda tax
2/6/2017, Claudia Vargas
Three dozen State legislators, mostly from far outside Philadelphia, file a brief against Philadelphia’s soda tax.
Biden will lead Penn diplomacy center, gets professorship
2/7/2017, Michelle Caffrey
Establishment of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement gives Penn and Philadelphia added global presence.
Jewelers' Row development up in the air (rights) 2/8/2017, Jake Blumgart
February Civic Design Review spent most of its meeting reviewing the “information only” presentation of Toll Brothers’ Jeweler’s Row proposed tower, and much of the discussion revolved around different views of how “air rights” can be used in Philadelphia.
$227 million settlement reached in deadly Center City collapse case
2/8/2017, Joseph A. Slobodzian
Jury awards $227million judgement in Market Street collapse, assigns majority of blame on Salvation Army.
PA Senate bill would override Philly's salary disclosure law
2/8/2017, Ryan Briggs
Pennsylvania Senate passes “pay equity” bill that includes language which would invalidate Philadelphia’s recently passed legislation banning discussion of salary history.
Rich Negrín makes his case to become Philly's next DA
2/8/2017, Greg Salisbury
City & State magazine is running a series of interviews with the Philadelphia DA candidates. Here is the first one, interviewing Rich Negrin.
Inspector general: City potentially losing millions from 'misapplied' tax breaks
2/9/2017, Claudia Vargas
City’s Inspector General looks to recoup lost revenue by identifying properties improperly claiming a homestead tax reduction, may recoup tax revenue from hundreds of properties.