November 1: Panel to investigate L&I | Aquarium to build lookout tower | App for firefighters | Frankford Ave projects break ground | Carpenter Green

Happy November, Eyes!

Mayor Nutter signed an executive order creating an independent panel to review the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections in the wake of this summer’s 22nd and Market streets building collapse. The new commission will not interfere with any investigations already under way and will share a report by July 1. 

Camden’s Adventure Aquarium plans to build a gondola capable of carrying people 25 stories high for a panoramic view of the Delaware River and surrounding views. Skyview tower will be taller than Camden’s City Hall and is funded by a $5 million private investment. Building a 25-story gondola will require the installation of a “massive foundation.” The tower will be shipped in from England and assembled onsite. If all goes well, it could be up and running this time next year. 

A new mobile app will help Philadelphia firefighters access real-time data and change they way they fight fires. The internal app will provide the department with 3D and aerial images of the building in question and its surroundings, if the building has received any violations, the locations of other fire trucks and where the nearby fire hydrants and water mains are located. This is the first time all of this data will be available in one place and immediately accessible.

NakedPhilly reports two projects have broken ground on Frankford Ave. The first at 1850 Frankford Ave is set to bring seven new homes and a collection of mixed-use buildings to the avenue. The second project at 2032-34 Frankford Ave is a Postgreen endeavor that includes two homes and a single mixed-use building.  

SOSNA (South of South Neighborhood Association) is working on a project to transform a vacant lot at 17th and Carpenter streets into a new green space, Carpenter Green. The Graduate Hospital project would take “advantage of one of the last opportunities for meaningful green space in the neighborhood,” said Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who supports the effort. SOSNA hopes to solicit an architect by spring. 

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