What We're Reading: Week of 6/3/19

Here's what we're reading this week about the projects, people and policies driving local development:

Philly Tribune: City Council and the Mayor appear to be in agreement on a final budget for FY 2020. It would reduce wage taxes, maintain property tax rate, increase homestead exemption, and provide increased spending on the School District, affordable housing and housing preservation

Michael D’Onofrio, June 6, 2019

Inquirer: Assessments of commercial and industrial properties in Philadelphia are being repealed in a suit, not a BRT appeal, by owners of the Central Business District’s largest buildings

Laura McCrystal, June 2, 2019

The Department of License and Inspections has several updates to codes, particularly around excavations and special inspections, and is conducting focus groups to get feedback on recent code enactments

Inquirer: Deed theft is still rampant in Philadelphia, but the Recorder of Deeds could implement some measures to cut down on the problem

Craig R. McCoy, June 3, 2019

PlanPhilly: Kenyatta Johnson pushes for a ban on bay windows and balconies in Point Breeze, targeting them as causing gentrification

Jake Blumgart, June 5, 2019

Inquirer: “Graffiti Pier” will become the most northerly park under the purview of DRWC after a sale from Conrail will open up the site

Jacob Adelman, June 3, 2019

Philadelphia Business Journal: A partnership between Wistar Institute and UPI will expand the western edge of R&D development beyond the western edge of the University City Science Center

John George and Natalie Kostelni, June 3, 2019