Who benefits from Philly’s $1 land deals?

In the 1990s, Philly created a program to sell blighted properties for only $1. Here's why it hasn't quite worked out as the city intended.

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A playground on Powelton Avenue, purchased from the City of Philadelphia for $1, has been sold to a developer. (Kelly Brennan/WHYY)

A playground on Powelton Avenue, purchased from the City of Philadelphia for $1, has been sold to a developer. (Kelly Brennan/WHYY)

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In the 1990s, Philadelphia created a program to sell blighted properties for only $1, but it hasn’t quite worked out as the city intended. Here’s why a city program meant to revitalize neighborhoods and create community benefits ended up lining the pockets of people and organizations without much oversight.

Guest: Claudia Vargas, The Philadelphia Inquirer

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