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RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• Income jumps in gentrified neighborhoods
Annual household income rose 11% across the U.S. over the past decade, per American Community Survey data released last week, but stayed relatively flat in Philadelphia overall, at $52.6k. However, income spiked more than 80% in two Philly zip codes known to be centers of gentrification: 19146, which includes Point Breeze and Grays Ferry ($86.4k), and 19125, which covers Fishtown and parts of Kensington ($89.5k). [Capital-Star/U.S. Census/Inquirer$]
• The forgotten ‘girl in the box’
After roping in media with teases of a big reveal, Philly police last week announced the identity of the “boy in the box,” giving closure to a murder case from 1957. DNA tech was used to put a name on the victim, along with other relentless investigative efforts. Other victims, including a “girl in the box” found shortly after the boy, remain nameless — fading into obscurity because there aren’t enough resources to go around. [6ABC/NBC News/BBC/Inquirer$/Medium/YouTube]
• ‘Every Voice, Every Vote’ project launches
Described by the Lenfest Institute as Philadelphia’s largest journalism and community engagement collaboration, the “Every Voice, Every Vote” project officially launched with $1.5 million in grants to 52 orgs. Among the media orgs joining forces to cover the 2023 election are Billy Penn, WHYY, The Inquirer, the Tribune, WURD, Al Día, Grid, and Philadelphia Gay News. [WHYY/Billy Penn/EV-EV/Al Día/PGN]
• Amtrak confirms flippy board will return
Though public meetings on the massive overhaul of Gray 30th Street Station have been postponed to 2023, Amtrak did confirm plans still include incorporating the split-flap Solari board into the new decor (though it doesn’t show up in official renderings). Travelers have missed its clickety-clack since 2019, when it was yanked and replaced with a relatively garish LCD display. [Amtrak/Billy Penn/Amtrak]
• New Phillies shortstop choses Philly over $$
At $300 million over 11 years, shortstop Trae Turner’s contract with the Phillies was nothing to scoff at, but the all-around baseball star reportedly left $41 million on the table. Why’d he turn down the Padres’ bigger offer? He saw the team camaraderie and fan support in Philadelphia, and wanted to be part of it. “It just made sense,” Turner said. [MLB Trade Rumors/PhillyVoice/Liberty Line]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Public meeting on Sixers arena plans
More than 20 Chinatown community organizations are hosting what they call the first “open” meeting on the Sixers’ plans to build a Center City arena. A rep for 76Place is expected at the Wednesday town hall, to be held in Mandarin with live translation. This comes after organizers stopped an under-the-radar code change “outside lawyers” apparently snuck into Councilmember Squilla’s legislation about refinancing the Filbert Street parking lot — it would have allowed the street to be removed for the city grid, following 76ers developer plans. [KYW/BP/CBS3/Inquirer$]
• Renaming rec center after Tiffany Fletcher
The good news: With just a couple weeks left in the year, it looks like homicides in Philly will fall short of last-year’s record number (PPD stats currently show them 9% down). The bad news: That still means more than 480 people were killed, the grand majority by gun violence, and nonfatal shootings are up 1%. City Council will vote this week to rename the Mill Creek Recreation Center after Tiffany Fletcher, the Parks & Rec staffer shot and killed at work earlier this year. [Axios/PPD/PCGVR/Legistar/WHYY]
• Curbing catalytic converter thefts
Also likely to pass at this week’s City Council session, the last before next year, is Councilmember Bass’s bill creating stronger penalties for stealing catalytic converters. Thefts of this critical car part made with precious metals are up across the nation, and organized crime rings in the city sometimes steal dozens at a time. Want to protect your vehicle? Northeast Philly’s Cat Cut offers a possible solution. [Tribune$/NICB/6ABC/NE Phila]
• Many ways to see ‘The Nutcracker’
In addition to the classic Academy of Music production by the Philadelphia Ballet, which runs through the end of the year, Tchaikovsky’s famous score will back several other performances around the city. Though the Chocolate Ballerina Company’s West Philly show is sold out, you can still snag tix to see the Rock School of Dance at the Annenberg. Also an option: the innovative “One-Man Nutcracker” in South Philadelphia. [Phila Ballet/Eventbrite/Rock/Eventbrite]
