What We're Reading: Week of June 20, 2022

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

Pew Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative issued its annual State of the City report, looking at how Philadelphia has fared over the two years of the pandemic; a link to the full report is on our website

by Pew Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative, April 20, 2022

Pew also looked at the future of Philadelphia’s operating budget under four different future employment scenarios as the city emerges from the pandemic shutdowns

Issue Brief by Elinor Haider and Larry Eichel

Inga Saffron questions the privatization of public spaces, especially iconic historic ones, to make up for Parks and Rec being underfunded in the City’s budget

by Inga Saffron, Inquirer Columnist, Updated June 22, 2022

Next City looks at the Black Woman-owned venture capital fund set up Della Clark at the Enterprise Center, and looks for that model to spur other similar venture funds

by Oscar Perry Abello, May 31, 2022

A Philadelphia-based chapter of the African American Real Estate Professionals in being created by local commercial real estate leaders, which will only be the eight such group in the country, according to the Business Journal

by Ryan Mulligan, Updated May 18, 2022

Next City looks at a national trend in establishing public banks to achieve racial equity in minority business development

Op-Ed by Lebaron Sims, June 8, 2022

Commercial lenders sat down with the Business Journal to discuss the challenges they are having in both business development and talent recruitment and retention

by Jeff Blumenthal, June 17, 2022

JDSupra summarizes the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision to deny Philadelphia’s reassessments of commercial property

by Adam Koelsch for McNees Wallace & Nurick, LLC, June 14, 2022

Penn’s Stuart Weitzman School of Design is planning it first major facilities expansion in over a century, undertaking a repurposing of the Historic Smith Hall on 34th Street

by Penn Today, May 13, 2022

The Business Journal reports on a proposed life sciences development at 2300 Market, with a design including an overbuild on two historic structures on Market Street

by Natalie Kostelni, Updated May 16, 2022

The AP reports on a bill signed into law by Maine’s governor to allow accessory dwelling units and semi-detached dwellings on single-family zoned lots across the state, in an effort to attract more workers to live and work in Maine

by AP Staff, April 28, 2022