PlanPhilly | Commonwealth Court to rule on Church of the Assumption

 

PlanPhilly | Commonwealth Court to rule on Church of the Assumption

Last week, attorneys for the City and for Callowhill Neighborhood Association made arguments before a panel of Commonwealth Court judges in the ongoing battle over the Church of the Assumption, a Catholic Church building at 12th and Spring Garden streets that was constructed in the 1850s and placed on the city’s historic register in 2009.

In 2010, the Philadelphia Historical Commission granted permission to demolish to the building’s owner, Siloam, a nonprofit group that serves people affected by HIV/AIDS. Since then, the case has been appealed to the Board of L&I Review, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Commonwealth Court.

The attorneys, Sam Stretton for CNA and Andrew Ross representing the Historical Commission, were given 7-½ minutes each to argue before Commonwealth Court on Thursday morning, plus some back and forth with the judges, according to Andy Palewski, who wrote the church’s nomination for historic certification. The Court’s decision could come down any time in the next one to six months, said Andy Ross.

PlanPhilly | Commonwealth Court to rule on Church of the Assumption.

Philly Bricks: Trade Unions: Strategize or Disappear

 

Philly Bricks: Trade Unions: Strategize or Disappear

As trade union members still protest at the site of Post Brothers’ Goldtex Apartments, things are getting a bit, well, sad.

They’ve clearly switched from targeting the construction crew and general public to targeting potential renters. Their latest stunt has included a couple mannequins in white decontamination suits with signs suggesting that the site is infested with mold.

Of course without proof this might be considered slanderous, but why bother? The fact that the unions are trying to deter renters means they’ve ceded to the notion that the building will be rented.

At this point, what is their end game? What resolve will satisfy the few who continue to protest?

Philly Bricks: Trade Unions: Strategize or Disappear.

Assumption Arguments Tomorrow In Commonwealth Court | Hidden City Philadelphia

 

Assumption Arguments Tomorrow In Commonwealth Court | Hidden City Philadelphia

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania will hear oral arguments in the case of the former Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary tomorrow, Thursday, October 10th. The hearing for the Callowhill Neighborhood Association’s appeal of the historic church’s demolition approval will take place in Courtroom 1 of the Widener Building at 1339 Chestnut Street.

Assumption Arguments Tomorrow In Commonwealth Court | Hidden City Philadelphia.

Philly.com – Blatstein: Broad St. best for ‘full Vegas-type’ casino complex

 

Blatstein: Broad St. best for 'full Vegas-type' casino complex

Ask Bart Blatstein why the casino he proposes for Broad and Callowhill streets should get Philadelphia’s remaining gaming license, and he takes out graphics from the city administration’s recent testimony to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The bar charts and circles show consultant AKRF’s findings that Blatstein’s planned casino, hotel and entertainment complex, The Provence, would generate the most city and state tax revenue and bring in the most money through both gaming and non-gaming activity.

“This is not slots-in-a-box,” he said. “It’s a full, Vegas-type complex.”

Blatstein: Broad St. best for ‘full Vegas-type’ casino complex.

Mega Feast On Mini Pearl Street | Hidden City Philadelphia

 

One exercise asked users for their favorite memories in the neighborhood — and what they called it | Photo: Bradley Maule

Half a block north of Vine Street, neighbors of the neighborhood with many names got a taste of the future at a massive block party and feast on Saturday. The transformation of Pearl Street into a ribbon community space—driven by Asian Arts Initiative (AAI) and landscape architect Walter Hood—seemed less a far off vision and more a fast tracked reality, as hundreds came out for a block party featuring music, art (featuring by AAI and neighboring Vox Populi), Hot Tea, and the centerpiece feast.

Mega Feast On Mini Pearl Street | Hidden City Philadelphia.

Philly Bricks: Friends of the Rail Park

Philly Bricks: Friends of the Rail Park

Some new renderings have emerged from OLIN Studio for Callowhill’s should-be Reading Viaduct Park as well as some for a City Branch Rail Park, this time opening up City Branch’s tunnels to the sky.

Commissioned by Friends of the Rail Park, formerly ViaductGreene, the renderings are highly conceptual, integrating the School District Administration Building and former Inquirer Building.

Philly Bricks: Friends of the Rail Park.

New Apartments Rising Next to Former Tombstone Business | NakedPhilly

 

New Apartments Rising Next to Former Tombstone Business | NakedPhilly

On the southeast corner of 12th & Brandywine, a new building is currently under construction. You may recall, we brought this intersection to your attention many moons ago, when we talked about six new homes coming to the northeast corner. While that project is not yet in the ground, plans we were previously unaware of are already in full swing.

New Apartments Rising Next to Former Tombstone Business | NakedPhilly.