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RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• Quintuple rec center shooting prompts new reward
A shooting near Shepherd Rec Center in West Philly that injured five people prompted Mayor Kenney to introduce a new reward: $10k for info leading to the arrest of someone who fires a gun within 500 feet of a rec center, school, or library. (It’s unclear if these actually help solve crimes, but they can raise awareness.) Nearly 100 casings were found after last week’s drive-by attack, which DA Krasner said showed “a failure of government.” Football and cheer teams returned to practice at Shepherd two days later. [Tribune$/NPR/KGW/WHYY/6ABC]
• Domb resigns, kicking off mayoral positioning
Allan Domb last week became victor of one political contest — the race to be first to resign from City Council ahead of a likely run for Philly mayor. There are at least four other councilmembers expected to follow Domb’s path as Philadelphia gears up to choose a new head of state. Because of the city’s large number of Democrats, the election will effectively be decided in the May 2023 primary. [BP x 3]
• SEPTA previews mobile ticketing, teases Navy Yard service
It was a busy week for SEPTA, which launched the new Wawa station and added early morning trips on various Regional Rail lines. The agency is also asking Key card holders to sign up for a pay-by-phone pilot, in advance of a wide rollout this fall. Also potentially on tap: new bus service for the fast-developing Navy Yard, which could be completed much more quickly than extending the Broad Street Line subway. [BP/WHYY/Billy Penn/Inquirer$]
• FDR Park adds wetlands in lieu of golf
New designs for the $250 million makeover of FDR Park strike the golf driving range, instead turning a section at the southwestern tip into a 33-acre native wetland. The project is being done in conjunction with PHL Airport, which commissioned a study on how it would work. After this month’s groundbreaking, plans call for completion by spring 2025. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/Park Conservancy]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Philly schools face teacher shortage and potential strike
Public school in Philadelphia starts Aug. 29, and the last week before classes begin is likely to be hectic. The district expects to have more than 200 teacher vacancies, thanks to some new hires rescinding acceptance and other people on leave. Meanwhile, maintenance, custodial, and transportation school workers authorized a strike amid negotiations in advance of their Aug. 31 contract expiration. [Inquirer$/WHYY]
• Roosevelt Expwy lane closures for Wayne Junction Viaduct work
Late or early North and Northeast Philly car commuters can expect a bit more traffic on U.S. Route 1 this week, as PennDOT closes some lanes overnight as it continues restoring the Wayne Junction Viaduct. Work on the crumbling overpass, which vaults over Nicetown as the Roosevelt Boulevard becomes an expressway, began in 2019. It’s now slated for completion in summer 2023. [Construction Equipment/KYW/PennDOT]
• Help us find local addiction help resources
Many of the 1,200 Philadelphians who died from an overdose last year had started or were seeking treatment. What’s the disconnect? Most publicized addiction resources are national or statewide hotlines that can have long wait times or direct callers to 911. We’re partnering with Equally Informed and Germantown InfoHub to create a directory of local resources — help us out by submitting ideas. [Billy Penn/Airtable]
• Parks on Tap goes traveling as Hornik launches new venues
As his beer garden partnership with the city, Parks on Tap, heads on a roving tour next week, restaurateur Avram Hornik is working on big plans. FCM Hospitality is launching three new live music venues: Concourse Live (500-person capacity) in Center City, next to the underground dance bar; a 700-person setup at Craft Hall on Delaware Avenue; and a 200-person stage to complement the DJ nights at South Philly’s Dolphin Tavern. [NBC10/Inquirer$/BP 2018]
