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Artists blindsided as Kensington apartment conversion begins
Over three dozen artists and entrepreneurs working in East Kensington are scrambling after receiving 30 days notice to vacate their studio spaces.
- Viking Mills was sold this summer to new owners, who plan to turn the 150-year-old warehouse into luxury apartments. The deal had been in the works for a while, but the lease termination caught people by surprise.
Lizzy McLellan Ravitch spoke with several tenants — and the new developer, who blamed the issue on the previous owner and said he’d work to fix it.
SEPTA elevator improvements will close a South Broad Lane
Cars traveling northbound on Broad Street will have to navigate a slight squeeze in South Philly starting today.
- SEPTA is shutting down a lane along a one-block stretch to install elevators and other improvements at Tasker-Morris Station. The closure is expected to last through spring 2024.
It’s all part of a massive effort by SEPTA to extend accessibility throughout Philly’s subway system, with 14 new elevators planned in the next decade.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Over 10% of registered voters in Philly have already requested mail ballot applications for the Nov. 8 election (find it here, deadline Nov. 1). Philadelphia ballots will go out a bit late, in early October, so they can include the City Council special elections. [@SethBluestein/Pa. Gov/@Elaijuh]
- Philly DA Krasner’s office responded to the Pa. House investigation with a court filing that argues impeachment would “violate the constitutional rights” of the voters who elected him. [Billy Penn]
- Assistant School Superintendent Renato Lajara joined Kensington students last week to walk them to class, sharing that he also grew up in the middle of Philly gun violence. [CBS3]
- Four trail bridges in Wissahickon Valley Park will reopen this Friday after 18 months closed for renovations. [@fowissahickon/Parks & Rec]
- Starbucks is planning one of its new, stripped-down “pickup” locations for 17th and Chestnut: no seating, no restroom, takeout orders only. [Inquirer$]
- The Eagles nearly blew it, but there were promising signs in Philly’s 38-35 win over the Detroit Lions yesterday — namely, the record-setting performance by A.J. Brown, the star wide receiver acquired during the off-season who happens to be best buds with QB Jalen Hurts. [PhillyVoice/Bleeding Green/ESPN]
MAYOR WATCH
A rare occurrence today: Mayor Kenney, Police Commissioner Outlaw, and DA Krasner all attend a press conference together to give updates on the recent shooting death of a Parks & Rec employee (11 a.m.).
The mayor then heads to Lincoln Financial Field to help pack lunches to donate to Philabundance as part of an Eagles 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance project (12 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
? Kismet Bagels pops up at Pat’s King of Steaks to hawk some limited-time only cheesesteak bialys. (10 a.m. Tues, Sept. 13)
? Curator Sydney Ellison leads a walkthrough and opening reception for a new group photography exhibit called “If We Never Get Better” at TILT Institute on North American Street. (5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16)
? Fall Fest at Spruce Street Harbor Park brings a weekend of live music, pumpkin painting, balloon twisting, DJs, and dancing. (Friday to Saturday, Sept. 16-18)
