What We're Reading: Week of March 8, 2021

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

Philadelphia Business Journal: WSFS will be acquiring Bryn Mawr Bank Corp, its ninth merger acquisition in the region

by Jeff Blumenthal, March 10, 2021

Inquirer: Councilmember Derek Green proposes that Philadelphia establish and operate the first city-owned public bank in the nation to increase city revenue and provide a source for equitable lending citywide

by Vanessa Lowe and Stanley Shapiro, March 2, 2021

The Philadelphia Citizen: John Kromer joins the call for elimination of Philadelphia’s Sheriff’s office

by John Kromer, March 2, 2021

The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Reinvestment Fund released an extensive study of rental housing ownership in Philadelphia; 73% of landlords own only 1-2 properties, but 2% of landlords collectively own over half of all rental units in the city

by Elinor Haider & Octavia Howell, February 24, 2021

Philadelphia Business Journal: Office leasing in Philadelphia for 2020 was down, while sub-leasing was up

by Natalie Kostelni, March 1, 2021

Philadelphia Business Journal: PHL was hard hit by the pandemic with a dramatic drop in passenger air travel, and received some increase in package traffic, as well as federal relief payments

by Laura Smythe, February 25, 2021

Inquirer: Inga Saffron explores how a patchwork of zoning incentives is at odds with neighborhood preservation goals

by Inga Saffron, February 27, 2021

PlanPhilly: Philadelphia Housing Authority held a lottery to sell ten vacant houses in its inventory for $10 each to budding developers who had completed the JumpStart program and who will be renovating the homes for sale to moderate income first time homeowners

by Taylor Allen, March 4, 2021

Inquirer: A Black owned firm will be building tiny houses in West Philly as part of the agreement to close the homeless encampments this past summer

by Alfred Lubrano, March 11, 2021

NHC: National Urban League President—and Penn graduate—Marc Morial calls for President Biden to include a massive homebuilding investment in a new infrastructure plan to improve equity in homeownership

by Marc Morial, February 28, 2021

The Economist examines the relative cost impact of remote work on housing costs for employees at different income levels

The Economist, March 2, 2021

Philadelphia Business Journal: Steve Boland, President of Bank of America’s 33 million customer retail division, talks about B of A’s $1bn commitment to racial equity and economic inclusion, through job training, health, small business and housing

by Caroline Hudson, February 24, 2021

Philadelphia Business Journal: A $140mm office building under construction in Kansas City continues on schedule as the lead tenant bows out after a corporate merger changed their occupancy plans

by Thomas Friestad, March 2, 2021