Will the Willow Steam Generation Plant be redeveloped?
Originally part of the Center City steam loop, which still provides heat to dozens of buildings, the Willow Steam Plant has sat unused for over four decades.
- It might become a mixed-use development, according to newly issued construction permits and reporting by Hidden City. The 9th and Callowhill site needs asbestos remediation, and has no internal floors.
The current plans, which owner John Wei declined to discuss, call for 69 residential units, a ground floor restaurant, and additional commercial space.
A hoagie maker’s daughter was the ‘world’s first supermodel’
For a moment, one of the biggest fashion models in America was a hoagie maker’s daughter from Northeast Philly.
- Gia Carangi, who grew up in Torresdale, was “discovered” at age 17. Within two years, by 1979, she was on the cover of British Vogue
But after her mentor died in 1980, her drug use accelerated. In 1986, at Hahnemann Hospital, her life was cut short by a horrifying new disease: AIDS
→ “The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia”
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Sen. Fetterman returns to the Senate today after two months in treatment for depression. Observers say his stay at Walter Reed helped remove the stigma around politicians talking about mental health. [USA Today/Politico]
• People who live near the former PES Refinery held a community summit to influence plans for the forthcoming Bellwether District redevelopment, which neighbors hope will be much less toxic. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/Axios]
• A West Philly street was named in commemoration of Paul Robeson, the “most famous, most wealthy, most well-known” Black American of the 1930s, who was targeted by J. Edgar Hoover for his civil rights advocacy. [West Philly Local/6ABC/@cherrigregg]
• Elizabeth Guaracao, Al Día News co-owner and COO, died last Monday at 67. The city’s longest-running bilingual newspaper published a tribute to the spirit of its “matriarch.” [Inquirer$/Al Día]
• Less than a year after it was irreparably damaged by the fire that gutted Jim’s Steaks, South Street icon Eyes Gallery has reopened in a new location. [Billy Penn]
• The New York Times food newsletter recommended Philadelphia, saying, “It’s closer than you think.” The author’s “ideal weekend destination for the food-obsessed” includes El Chingon, Middle Child Clubhouse, and Kalaya. [NYT$/@visitphilly]
MAYOR WATCH
Nothing on the public schedule for Mayor Kenney today. On Saturday he spoke at one of the 600+ sites that participated in the 16th annual Philly Spring Cleanup.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎾 BP Quizzo: Join us at Padelphia for a night of Philly trivia! Space is limited at this new-style racket club on the Schuylkill River near City Live Ave, so register early. BYO, plus we’ll have some snacks and sips, and prizes for the winners. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26)
🌿 The Philadelphia Film Society offers two takes on 420 Day at its Chestnut Street theater: the Philip Glass-scored visual collage “Koyaanisqatsi,” or the Richard Linklater comedy “Dazed and Confused.” Tickets are $14. (7 p.m. Thursday, April 20)
🎨 Meet the artists, makers, and entrepreneurs of the Bok building as you explore their workspaces at the free Spring Open Studios. The rooftop bar is also open. (6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 21)
Catch up on the previous week
Receive Billy Penn’s free daily roundup in your inbox every morning
