PlanPhilly weekly news recap 12-06-2007

12-06-2007

Dear PlanPhilly member,

This week in planning and design news: the riverfront casinos move closer to construction, the Girard Warehouses continue to be threatened, Great Expectations completes its Citizens Convention, and the City Planning Commission begins its own process to develop Philadelphia’s first comprehensive plan in 40 years.

1. Pa. Supreme Court rules for SugarHouse

Read Kellie Patrick Gates’ comprehensive story to find out what the next steps will be for the casino interests and anti-casino movement following the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s opinion that SugarHouse is cleared to build on submerged land. Click here: http://www.planphilly.com/node/2352.

2. Inquirer reports on Girard Warehouses

Alan Jaffe’s PlanPhilly report last week about the extension the developers of the Girard Warehouses (http://www.planphilly.com/node/2307) received for shoring up the rear areas of historic buildings on Front Street is getting more media attention. The Inquirer’s Stephan Salisbury writes about the work in Thursday’s edition. Click here for the story: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20071206_Deadline_delay_sought_in_Girard_Warehouses_repair.html.

3. Imagine Philadelphia meeting coverage

PlanPhilly covered the first two citizens forums conducted by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission as it begins the process of preparing our City’s first comprehensive plan in more than forty years.  The first meeting was held in South Philadelphia (http://www.planphilly.com/node/2354) and the second was held in Olney (http://www.planphilly.com/node/2357). Check out the ImaginePhiladelphia website for more information at www.imaginephiladelphia.org. PlanPhilly will cover next week’s events as well.

4. Full Citizens Convention coverage

Check out PlanPhilly’s full coverage of last Sunday’s Great Expectations Citizens Convention, including mayor-elect Michael Nutter’s keynote speech. Click here: http://www.planphilly.com/node/2316.

Upcoming Events

Dec. 12: Zoning Code Commission monthly meeting — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2291
Dec. 12: Imagine Philadelphia public meeting (Northeast Philadelphia) — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2300
Dec. 13: Imagine Philadelphia public meeting (West Philadelphia) — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2302
Dec. 19: Zoning Code Commission Informational Session: “Zoning and the Environment” presented by the Philadelphia Water Department — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2292

Best until next week,
Matt Golas, Managing Editor