Top 5 stories of the week in Northwest Philadelphia

Here are several stories that you may have missed this week in Northwest Philadelphia:

1. Crews clearing way for impending Queen Lane Apartments

The 16-story Queen Lane Apartments tower in Germantown is slated for implosion in October, if not earlier. Complicated by a historical Potter’s Field being discovered, the project to replace the high-rise with a 55-unit low-density development has been in the works for three years. Aaron Moselle explains the latest developments in an ongoing saga.

2. Chestnut Hill Legion baseball team wins Philadelphia championship for first time

A team of youths from different schools came together in Chestnut Hill to win the Philadelphia County American Legion League title and, in doing so, break a club record. The Chestnut Hill Legion baseball team defeated four other teams to win the title. Check out Jen Bradley’s complete coverage of the team’s accomplishment.

3. Rival Northwest Philly youth-sports programs want to build shared facility

The Northwest Raiders Athletic Association of East Germantown and the Mt. Airy Bantams Youth Association are teaming up to overcome limited funding and aging resources in an effort to build a new athletic facility for the organizations. The proposed site in West Oak Lane’s Awbury Park is supported by City Councilwoman Cindy Bass as well. Read Missy Johnson’s report on the project.

4. Jenks name change reflects renewed curriculum focus

With an increase in curriculum-enhancing science, technology, engineering and math tools available to teachers, the John Story Jenks School in Chestnut Hill will officially be renamed the Jenks Academy for Arts and Sciences. Using grants and funding from the school’s community, the school has been able to make these changes despite the district’s budget cuts. Check out Neema Roshania’s article, which goes into further detail.

5. Councilman Jones under ‘bizarre’ eminent-domain fire in Germany Hill development lawsuit

Although developer Greg Ventresca originally bought an eight-acre parcel near Ivy Ridge regional-rail stop in 2005 for $500,000, the city may now owe him five times that in compensation. After a series of failed negotiations, Ventresca claims the city took his land, and the court seems to agree. Read Alan Jaffe’s full report on the development.