PlanPhilly weekly news recap 1-17-08

1-17-08
Dear PlanPhilly member,

Another week of developments concerning SugarHouse casino permits, historic preservation, and the potential for bike sharing. Stay tuned to PlanPhilly for breaking news on an upcoming Army Corps of Engineers report on the SugarHouse dig to archaeological consulting parties:

1. Our History and the SugarHouse Site

Noted local historian Torben Jenk takes PlanPhilly on a journey back to the time of the Lenni-Lenape Native American tribe and occupying British troops.  See the video: http://www.planphilly.com/node/2582.

2. SugarHouse Work Ok’d

Late last week, the Army Corps determines work on casino site is appropriate and can continue if it pertains to tree removal and silt fencing; SugarHouse gets slots license. Click here for the full report: http://www.planphilly.com/node/2557.

3. Nutter Appoints Zoning Board Members

Today, Mayor Michael Nutter announced his five new appointees to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mayor Nutter recommended that Susan Jaffe, community leader and former ZBA vice chair, serve as Chair of the Board. Click here for the full story: http://www.planphilly.com/node/2583.

4. Inquirer: PATCO, SEPTA may team up on riverfront rail

PATCO’s proposals to extend commuter rail service along the Delaware riverfront could mean a new partnership with SEPTA, officials said today. Click here for the full story: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080117_PATCO__SEPTA_may_team_up_for_new_rail_service.html.

This identifies one potential project for newly-appointed deputy mayor for transportation Rina Cutler, who was quoted yesterday suggesting a single payment system for Philadelphia’s three transit/transportation agencies: SEPTA, PATCO, and PPA. Click here to read the report on Heard in the Hall blog: http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/heardinthehall/2008/01/an_allagency_transitparking_ca.html.

5. Is Philly Ready for Bike Share?

Looking at best practices for bike sharing and how that concept could change the face of getting around Philadelphia: http://www.planphilly.com/node/2565.

6. Imagining Philadelphia

PlanPhilly reporter Alan Jaffe continued covering the series of Imagine Philadelphia sessions, a series of public forums coordinated by the City Planning Commission that marks the beginning of a city comprehensive planning process.

Click here for this week’s story: http://www.planphilly.com/node/2579

Here is the schedule of the remaining forums:

Jan. 22: Center City — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2488
Jan. 29: Germantown — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2489
Jan. 31: Roxborough

7. Kimmel Center Public Space Forums

The Kimmel has partnered with PennPraxis and the Penn Project on Civic Engagement to lead a public process on how to make the Kimmel Center public spaces a more vibrant community destination.  Ideas will be the base of work done by University of Pennsylvania and University of the Arts desgin students.

Registration is required, so sign up for one of the following forums today by clicking here: www.planphilly.com/kimmel

Wednesday, January 23: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Sunday, January 27: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Monday, January 28: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Wednesday, January 30: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Other Upcoming Events

Jan. 17: Sustainable Philadelphia Bike Sharing Forum — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2542
Jan. 22: DRPA trolley line extension meetings — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2551
Jan. 23: Zoning Code Commission hearing — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2490
Jan. 24: DRPA trolley line extension meetings — http://www.planphilly.com/node/2552

Best until next week,
Matt Golas, Managing Editor