Philly Bricks: Is Philadelphia’s Chinatown Struggling?

Bob Bruhin

 

Philly Bricks: Is Philadelphia's Chinatown Struggling?

But if you want to claim that gentrification is pushing out Chinese immigrants, you can only consider the part of Chinatown that historically housed immigrants. Callowhill, or Chinatown North, never did. Considering Callowhill is not historically part of Chinatown, you could even make the opposite argument, that Philadelphia’s historic Chinatown is not only winning the war against gentrification, but actually growing.

Interestingly, Tsui even mentions our Chinatown’s deplorable lack of greenspace and the dire need for parks on behalf of its residents. While the Callowhill Neighborhood Association has been advocating for the conversion of the Reading Viaduct into a park, who’s been the park’s most vocal adversary? The PCDC.

Philly Bricks: Is Philadelphia’s Chinatown Struggling?.

Walking the Eraserhood: Broad and Green Streets

Bob Bruhin
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Via Flickr:
“Walking the Eraserhood” represents an ongoing street-level exploration of the Callowhill district and surrounding environs, a sort of virtual walking tour of the neighborhood.

The vibrant, imposing temple owned by Congregation Rodeph Shalom dominates the east side of the street, here. Congregation Rodeph Shalom founded in 1795 is the oldest Ashkenazi congregation in the United States.

Copyright © 2009-2013, Bob Bruhin. All rights reserved.

Walking the Eraserhood: Broad Street and Ridge Avenue

Bob Bruhin
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Via Flickr:
“Walking the Eraserhood” represents an ongoing street-level exploration of the Callowhill district and surrounding environs, a sort of virtual walking tour of the neighborhood.

This corner represents the northernmost stretch of the Eraserhood. (While not technically part of the Callowhill Neighborhood, the wedge defined by Ridge Avenue, Broad Street, and Spring Garden Street, is considered part of the area covered by the Eraserhood blog.) Northeast is the striking, long abandoned Divine Lorraine Hotel, once a commercial hotel, then a church residence, finally an empty hulk. Many owners have attempted to restore this beautiful monster to former glory. As of this writing, none have succeeded. To the northwest, the former Northwestern National Bank/Broad Street Trust Company dominates the corner. Currently the site houses People Community Credit Union and a PNC Bank branch.

Copyright © 2009-2013, Bob Bruhin. All rights reserved.


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