Monthly Archives: April 2015

We are finishing up our discussion of Philadelphia’s Storefront Improvement Program. The program reimburses property owners in select commercial corridors up to $15,000 for repairs and general improvements to the front of their buildings. Federal law — in particular the Davis-Beacon Act and related legislation — requires that construction projects that cost more than $2,000 pay workers the “prevailing wage” set by the Department of Labor. SIP is funded by federal grants.

A Philadelphia developer who wants to build apartments and stores on a parcel of residentially-zoned property in South Philadelphia doesn’t just have the zoning map against him, he also has dozens of angry residents.

While we cannot recommend it, we have to admit that ignorance is, at times, bliss. There are some things that we are much better not knowing, things beyond the old “sausage and lawmaking” adage. One of those things is the meaning of the federal regulations that guide the Storefront Improvement Program here in Philadelphia.

The city of Philadelphia is committed to neighborhood economic development in a number of ways. For the most part, though, neighborhoods have to take care of themselves before the city will lend a hand. Even then, assistance often comes in the form of funding and training instead of direct services. Employees of the Department of Commerce will not, for the most part, be out knocking on doors to convince community organizations to apply for grant money, nor will they manage the grant money once it is secured.

We are continuing our discussion of the difference between a Neighborhood Conservation Overlay and an historic district. Both are zoning tools used by Philadelphia officials and communities to preserve the unique character of specific neighborhoods, but they are different in some important ways. In our last post, we left off with a brief explanation about the NCO application and monitoring processes. The responsibilities fall to the City Council.

Philadelphia neighborhood groups achieved amazing results in the recent Knight Cities Challenge. Knight Foundation asked community organizations in 26 cities to submit proposals for community-based projects that would encourage “talent, opportunity and engagement” in the city and its future. Philadelphia snagged seven of the 32 grants, more than any of the 12 cities that made the final cut.

You have the idea for a new restaurant, recreational facility, condominium or office. You have even found the perfect piece of property. Standing in front of the for sale sign, you can imagine exactly how the building will look. You can picture the color of the brick, the direction the entrance will face and even how the landscaping will look.

Philadelphia University has developed their 30 Year Master Plan for expanding in the community. Their expansion includes dormitories, a parking garage and a sledding hill. Despite the university completing several internal studies for their expansion, they are facing criticism from the community over their design plans.

There are times when recognition is a mixed blessing. Every city wants to be named the “most livable” or “most family-friendly” city, for example, but no city is marketing itself and lobbying hard to be recognized as the “most expensive for seniors” or, as Philadelphians may well fear, “most derelict, dilapidated and decaying inner city.”

Bankruptcy Judge Gloria Burns approved the sale of Revel casino to Florida developer Glenn Straub on Thursday, April 2. By the end of the next day, Glenn Straub and his Polo North Country Club were the undisputed owners of the failed casino. And what a deal he got: Built for $2.4 billion, the purchase price of $82 million works out to about 4 cents on the dollar.