Here's what we're reading this week about the projects, people and policies driving local development:
Philadelphia Inquirer: Philly City Council wants an audit of new property assessments
4/19/18, Claudia Vargas
City Council questions the methodology behind this year’s residential property assessments, and calls for an audit.
WHYY: Army considers 15 cities — including Philadelphia — for home of new Futures Command
4/19/18
The City woos another potential tech employer—the US Army’s Future’s Command Center.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Appeals court rules in favor of Fishtown man who fixed up city lot
4/24/18, Grace Shallow
Commonwealth Court rules that City is not immune to eminent domain claims against it for land occupied and cared for by private citizens.
Philadelphia Citizen: “WE CAN’T WASTE THIS MOMENT”
2/24/18, Larry Platt
The Philadelphia Citizen profiles Jerry Sweeney’s “can do” civic leadership style hoping it will spread to the complacent political leaders of the city.
PlanPhilly: LOVE Park? More like loathe park! Criticisms mount as JFK Plaza slowly reopens.
4/25/18, Jim Saksa
As former Love Park has its second soft opening, criticisms mount.
4/26/18, Diana Lu
The Federal Reserve’s latest report shows that Philadelphia’s range of anti-displacement programs, e.g. LOOP, have worked to keep existing homeowners in gentrifying neighborhoods.
PlanPhilly: Councilman Domb’s modest proposal: ban on-street parking in Center City
4/25/18, Jim Saksa
Councilman Domb proposes drastically removing on-street parking in Center City to address increased congestion.
City & State: Philly construction tax draws mixed reactions from housing analysts
4/26/18, Ryan Briggs
More voices weigh in on the proposed construction privilege tax.
Philadelphia Inquirer: How did Philly lose track of $33 million?
4/27/18, Claudia Vargas
Councilman Domb’s scrutiny of the Mayor’s budget raises a question about a $33 million dollar discrepancy in City bank accounts.