Occupy out and homeless shuffle, zoning code comparison, new Center City offices for Penn Medical, neighbors protest demo of Kelly Playground

Dilworth Plaza is no longer Occupied. More than 48 hours after the Mayor’s deadline for Occupy Philly to leave Dilworth Plaza, the protesters were dispersed or arrested, and crews have been removing the remains of Occupy’s tent city this morning. NewsWorks reports that after warnings that started at 1am, police began arresting people who would not leave. Many were intentionally arrested as acts of civil disobedience. Meantime protesters marched through the city, and police estimate 40 were arrested by 5am. Philadelphia Weekly captured the scenes overnight, and ponders the open question of whether there is an Occupy 2.0 to come. Metropolis editor Tom Ferrick sees no second act for Occupy Philly.

What about the homeless who had been living at Dilworth Plaza? A group of homeless people left Occupy Philly’s tent city earlier this week and set up camp on Port Richmond’s Conrail yards. Conrail booted the camp out and The Naked City reports the homeless are sleeping under an I-95 overpass. Homeless outreach workers are on the case.

How does the current zoning code compare with the Zoning Code Commission’s final version? PlanPhilly’s Jared Brey goes where few dare: he compares the two codes, finding a clearer more concise document in the new version.

Liberty Property Trust started construction on the new Penn Medical building at 8th and Walnut this week, the Business Journal reports. The new building will be 12 stories of office space above a 7-story Parkway parking garage.

Germantown neighbors protest the demolition of Kelly Playground as part of the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Queen Lane apartments demolition, NewsWorks reports. While the playground was in poor shape it is, neighbors argue, one of very few amenities for neighborhood kids. The playground lot was sold to PHA for $1 by a city ordinance sponsored by outgoing District Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller in 2010.

The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest.

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