Callowhill: History a Large Consideration as Rail Park Construction Continues
The first phase of the Rail Park on the former Reading Viaduct in Callowhill is set to open in June at a cost of $10.3 million paid for by contributions from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, City of Philadelphia, William Penn Foundation, Knight Foundation, Poor Richard’s Charitable Trust, Friends of the Rail Park and others. The […]
Chinatown: Community Gives Feedback on Recommended Improvements to Vine Street Corridor
For many Chinatown residents, the time had come to see plans for a safer future. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission held an open house Thursday at the Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church and School at 10th and Vine streets. The DVRPC — which is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization that serves Philadelphia and […]
Chinatown: Efforts Underway to Address Safety Concerns Near Vine Street Expressway
Initial planning has begun on measures to address pedestrian and vehicle safety concerns near the Vine Street Expressway, or Interstate-676, in Chinatown. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, which is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization that serves Philadelphia and eight suburban counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, held a kickoff meeting for its “Reviving […]
Nicetown: SEPTA Power Plant Could Hurt the Health of Residents
A child living in Nicetown is four times more likely to have asthma than the average American child, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Local community members and environmental groups believe the health problems are only going to get worse once a natural gas power plant is built in their community. The $26.8 million plant, […]
East Falls: Town Watch Is Appreciated but Understaffed
Once every month, Mary Jane Fullam organizes meetings for the East Falls Town Watch, an organization that she has been a part of since its inception in 1998. Since then, she has assumed the role of president within the organization. The East Falls Town Watch consists of 12 people, with Fullam running the entire nonprofit […]
Social Issues: Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez Talks Income Inequality
María Quiñones-Sánchez took office 10 years ago representing District 7 in Philadelphia City Council. Long considered a party outsider, it is not uncommon to find her battling politically with Latino leaders in her own neighborhood, as well as other council members. Her sprawling council district is comprised of a wide area, covering all or parts […]
Strawberry Mansion: Tyrone Williams of NAC Teaches Community To Use Its Voice
Now the head of community engagement at the Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Action Center, Tyrone Williams has worked his whole life trying to better his community. From a young age, Williams took an active interest in reaching out to people. He estimated his history in community outreach went back to when he was 11-years old and a […]
Education: Five Ways Budget Cuts Hurt City Schools
It’s the eighth largest district in the country and one of the two poorest. Despite tying with urban Chicago school districts for the most financially disadvantaged, The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) remains one of the most robust in terms of enrollment. Serving more than 200,000 students across 214 public and 86 charter schools, the […]
Northeast Philadelphia: Fox Chase Bus Loop Causes Headaches for Drivers
Jeanine Roach (right) doesn’t want to take 45 minutes to complete a 10 minute commute. However, in the area of the Fox Chase bus loop, located at the intersection of Oxford Avenue and Loney Street, that’s exactly what she and hundreds of other commuters face during rush hour. While the busy streets quickly become congested […]
Arts & Entertainment: Project Positive Breaks to Inspire
Project Positive is an organization that expresses its message through hip-hop dance. Incorporating workshops, performances and community partnerships, Project Positive strives to inspire the youth in Philadelphia. “Hip-hop dancing saved my life when I started at the age of 14,” said Damon Holley, who founded the organization in 2010. “It kept me out of a […]