Chinatown: Stakeholders Tackle Crucial Development Questions As Neighborhood Grows
The story of Philadelphia’s Chinatown isn’t unique. But the history of this city’s Asian immigrant- and Asian-American home is, for residents, what makes it stand out from other stories of gentrification. Historically, Chinatowns have grown in abandoned urban neighborhoods, unwanted for things other than industrial business. In Philadelphia, this part of town – called Chinatown […]
Chinatown: Community Agency Looks To Engage More Residents, Businesses
In a quiet office on 9th Street, red lanterns are strung from the ceiling and two long banners are hung beside a portrait of the Arch of Friendship. The office houses the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp., where special projects associate Lamei Zhang (above) sits in the back corner, tucked between two computer screens and flyers […]
West Poplar: Jose Morales Sets His Sights On Firearms Safety Education
The city office that issues gun permits sits directly across the street from the Philly Firearms Academy run by Jose D. Morales. It would seem to be an ideal location for Morales, who opened up shop in 2013. But it’s been less busy than he anticipated. “If I get one or two people a day saying, ‘I […]
Chinatown: John Chin Seeks To Bring Divided Community Together
John Chin, the executive director of Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp. (PCDC), is at the forefront of a neighborhood split in two. According to city maps, the space above the Vine Street Expressway is considered Callowhill. But it is known to Chin – as well as to his colleagues and, Chin hopes, many others in the future – […]
Infrastructure: Five Projects Commuters Need to Know About
If last year is anything to go by, then 2016 is set to be a year full of disruption for commuters in Philadelphia, even without a visit from the Pope. And with 30 projects underway and 15 more set to begin this year, the upcoming Democratic National Convention will be the least of commuter’s concern. […]
Callowhill: Post-Industrial Area Continues to Evolve
Past: Sewing Industry Centralized in Callowhill “The sewing industry was very prominent in the Callowhill neighborhood before the early 1990s,” said Bob Weinstein (right). Weinstein’s father bought the building at 1025 Cherry St. for a commercial sewing machine business in 1951 and Bob Weinstein has been working in the area since 1961. In 1992, Weinstein […]
Technology: Predicting Future Crimes in Philadelphia
The term “crime prediction” often evokes the pop culture memory of Steven Spielberg’s 2002 science fiction film Minority Report, where the government polices its citizenry through a trio of psychic beings known as “precogs” that can predict who will commit a crime in the future. Throughout the film, which was based on a 1956 short […]