January 14: Land Bank signed | PATCO problems, upgrades | Trash truck in sinkhole | Marriott sold cheap | 410 at Society Hill selling | Mt. Airy BID goals | Kling’s legacy

Good morning, Streeters. Here’s what’s buzzing today:

Yesterday Mayor Nutter signed the Land Bank into law, the Inquirer reports. Now the hard work of implementing it begins.

The Federal Transit Administration cited PATCO and the Delaware River Port Authority for failing to keep elevators and escalators in working order, after months of complaints, failed repairs, and closed infrastructure, the Inquirer reports. The problems render several stations inaccessible to anyone with mobility issues. “The FTA said it was ‘concerned that the apparent lack of accommodation is ineffective and may leave customers stranded at stations or lead them to avoid taking DRPA/PATCO altogether for fear of being stranded.’” As a result of the investigation PATCO will have to submit a monthly maintenance report and new plan for accessibility alternatives when escalators/elevators are out of order.

And, as an added bonus, expect delays and fewer trains on PATCO thanks to a two-year track repair project on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

A trash truck got stuck in a sinkhole on the 1300 block of Kater Street late Monday morning, NBC 10 reported The sinkhole was caused by a water main break – tis the season.

The Marriott at 12th and Market, the city’s biggest hotel, sold for $22 million less than expected. Ouch. Philly Deals explains the deal, and points to Philly’s slowing convention business and competition from new, publicly subsidized hotel construction.

Toll Brothers’ condo development underway at the old New Market site in Society Hill has already sold a third of the units, the Business Journal reports. “Most buyers have come from the neighborhood” and apparently prize the parking that comes with the new development.

NewsWorks caught up with the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District’s new director, Angie Williamson, to talk about goals for her new role. This year Williamson wants to paint and refurbish SEPTA’s street poles, add more protected tree pits, improve pedestrian crossings, and possibly redo the street banners along Germantown Avenue. She also hopes to attract new retailers to fill vacancies, which in the meantime could be pop-up shops. Neighbors can meet Williamson at an open house at Upsala (6430 Germantown Ave) on January 28 from 5-7pm.

Architect Vincent Kling reshaped 20th century Center City, from the Municipal Services Building and Love Park, most notably working in partnership with planner Edmund Bacon on Penn Center. On Hidden City Daily Brad Maule shares a tribute to Vincent Kling’s legacy in Philadelphia. Kling died in late November.

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