July 30: Whitman rowhouse explosion | house flipping returns | Peace Week | Girard College’s plea | remembering William Scranton
It’s a beautiful morning, Streeters. We hope you’re able to get out and enjoy the day.
Yesterday’s building explosion on the 400 block of Daly Street in Whitman injured eight people, blew apart three homes, and left residents uneasy. The Daily News spoke with near neighbors who gathered at either end of the block in the explosion’s aftermath. Star Brown, who lives a few houses down from the destroyed properties, said she would move. “Those houses are not young. I don’t feel good about it.” The rowhome at 428 Daly Street had been recently purchased by SCK Investments and was undergoing a gut rehab, philly.com explains.
In neighborhoods like Passyunk Square, Fishtown, and Mayfair rapid house flipping is taking off again, the Inquirer reports. Real estate agents are noting the rise of “cash, no contingency” buyers looking to make a speedy profit by immediately reselling the property and thereby inflating the market.
As part of this year’s Peace Week in South Philly, residents gathered Monday evening for a rally calling for an end to gun violence at Wharton Square and marched to Stinger Square. The Daily News caught up with Anton Moore, the organizer and founder of Unity in the Community.
On Monday Girard College’s board asked Orphan’s Court for permission to “temporarily suspend” its high school and boarding school programs next fall to help improve the school’s financial situation, the Inquirer reports. “Although the board is drafting financial benchmarks for restoring both the residential and high school programs, the petition does not set a specific end date…Because Girard is a public charity, the state attorney general’s office was sent a copy of the Orphans Court petition.”
Daily News columnist John Baer offers remembrances for William Scranton, a Kennedy-republican who served as Pennsylvania governor, UN ambassador, and congressman. Scranton passed on Sunday.
The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest. Have a tip? Send it along. | Follow us on Twitter @EOTSPhilly | Like us on Facebook | Share your Philly photos in our Flickr Group
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by PlanPhilly
PlanPhilly
In-depth, original reporting on housing, transportation, and development.
Part of the series
Eyes on the Street
Eyes on the Street brings new ideas and fresh voices into the conversation about Philadelphia’s changing cityscape.
A Roosevelt Blvd. subway is not guaranteed, but community input could help
One year ago, the Roosevelt Boulevard subway was a distant dream. Now, a study is underway and enthusiasm is high, writes Jay Arzu.
1 year ago
Philly City Council can help SEPTA’s bus network better serve the city
Philadelphia City Council can be doing a lot more to support bus riders in the city, help speed up buses, and work toward transit equity.
1 year ago
Opinion: Why the proposed 76ers arena is a false solution to dead zone on Market East
The proposed 76ers arena threatens to repeat the years of misguided development that created the dead zone on Market Street, writes Akira Drake Rodriguez.
1 year ago