October 24: Frankford CDC’s new HQ | $100k for Point Breeze Ave | Kenney on Big Soda

Frankford CDC is moving to the old Doral building at Frankford Avenue and Paul Street, near the Arrott Transportation Center, part of the CDC’s work to help anchor and improve the neighborhood commercial corridor. The Frankford Gazette has an update on construction and fundraising efforts to support this work.

Diversified Community Services received a $100,000 grant from Wells Fargo to invest in Point Breeze Avenue, Passyunk Post reports. The money can be used broadly, from job training programs to physical projects.

WHYY’s Peter Crimmins reports, for the next two weeks, for fifteen minutes at sunrise, “a melodic drone with a hint of human voice and occasional chime” will emanate from Tindley Temple United Methodist Church, at South Broad and Fitzwater. It’s a musical nod to the centenary of the Great Migration.

Project HOME received a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant to build a 30-unit LGBT-friendly affordable housing complex in Kensington for young adults, reports Philly Voice. The project will provide housing for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness and connect housing with health, employment, and education services. It will be one part of a $27 million development by Project HOME on North 8th between Thompson and Master.

Mayor Jim Kenney talked to Vox about tackling Big Soda. His advice to other cities thinking of doing the same: “Tie the revenue to specific improvements in the community — classrooms, streets, whatever it is they want to use the revenue for. They need to clearly identify the improvements that need to happen and sell it that way. People vote in their self-interest — I don’t mean it in pejorative way — but [voters think about what a tax will mean] when it comes to their kids. Don’t be afraid of big soda. They are not that tough. They were very, very arrogant, rude, and they just think they have a right to these kinds of profits. I have nothing against them personally. But they were so dismissive and entitled, it was really kind of shocking.”