Franklin Court reconstruction, lower business costs for Philly, SEPTA routes tweet, L&I’s blight fight

The reconstruction of Franklin Court’s museum kicked-off this week, the Business Journalreports. The $21 million project will replace the bicentennial-era exhibits and underground space with a more contemporary interpretation of Benjamin Franklin’s life and work, set to open in 2013.  The “ghost house” above ground will not be changed.

The cost of doing business in Philadelphia could go down, The Inquirer reports. The Nutter administration and City Council members have agreed on legislation that would lighten the burden of the city’s business-privilege tax and lower start-up costs for new businesses. The proposed changes could benefit everyone from freelancers to huge corporate interests, and could help Philadelphia compete with the suburbs as a business location choice. NewsWorks notes the measures could create jobs, but could also cost the city millions.

NewsWorks reports that SEPTA will launch individual twitter accounts for subway, regional rail and trolley lines, as well as one for busses to provide better real-time information to riders. Riders can follow the routes that they use the most. Yes please.

Licenses & Inspection is taking a new approach to blighted properties, and Naked Philly breaks it down. L&I is enforcing a new ordinance requiring a higher level of basic maintenance for vacant buildings: If a block is 80% notified, vacant building owners must install doors and windows or face fines of $300 per opening per day. Nonresponsive property owners are being located and served with violations.

 

The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest.

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