RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• I-95 rebuild progresses faster than expected
The segment of I-95 that collapsed after a gasoline tanker exploded beneath an overpass will reopen to traffic within two weeks. That’s the latest from Gov. Shapiro, whose coordination and handling of the crisis — from the 24/7 livestream to the daily updates — has raised his national profile. President Biden yesterday toured the site and pledged to reimburse the state 100% for the first reconstruction phase, and Northeast Philly businesses could apply for SBA loans if they’re suffering from traffic-clogged detour streets. Meanwhile SEPTA, despite being short-staffed, has seen a 14% rise in Regional Rail ridership.
[BP x 2/Inquirer$/BP x 2/@RepDean]
• Judgments pile up against Streamline
The Philadelphia developer accused of building defective homes in Fishtown lost another court case over complaints it refused to address water damage. A jury ordered Streamline Solutions to pay nearly $3.2 million to the four households. Four other lawsuits have already resulted in $1.2 million in judgements or arbitration awards since last September.
[Billy Penn/Inquirer$]
• RI official resigns over ‘the Philadelphia trip’
In March, two Rhode Island officials visited South Philly’s Bok building to talk with developers Scout Ltd. about handling a $55 million adaptive reuse project in the Ocean State. Their behavior was so “bizarre, offensive, and unprofessional” — not only casual sexism and racism, but also weird demands like “the best croissant in Philadelphia” — that it spurred a misconduct investigation, and the main official resigned. (Thank journalism, btw: this all came out when RI media fought to make public Scout’s formal complaint letter.)
[WPRI/Billy Penn/AP/Providence Journal]
• Boob garden grows in South Philly
A new installation by artist Rose Luardo is grabbing eyes in South Philadelphia — with good reason. The sculptures she put up in the lot at 8th and Washington look like boobs. Plush boobs, made of fabric in assorted shapes, sizes, and colors. A signature creation for Luardo, in this case they’re fastened to old furniture, transforming each chair into an alien-looking sidewalk observer, silently judging everyone who walks past.
[Axios/Insider/Rose Luardo]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Pa. House could vote to raise minimum wage
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been stagnant at $7.25/hr since 2009, and state law means no cities in the commonwealth can boost it higher on their own. Harrisburg appears closer to making moves on the issue, however. The Pa. Senate is considering a Republican-sponsored bill, and a Pa. House bill to gradually increase it to $15/hr. could go up for a floor vote this week.
[BP 2018/Spotlight PA/WGAL]
• Last weeks for Wawa in Headhouse Square
Wawa announced its Headhouse Square location will close in mid-July. The convenience store chain didn’t give a reason when confirming the news, but neighborhood groups had reportedly complained to Wawa about aggressive panhandling and drug use at the location. It’ll be the sixth Philly store Wawa has shuttered over the past 2.5 years.
[Biz Journal$/Inquirer$/BP 2022]
• A Philadelphia Juneteenth connection
Tomorrow’s federal holiday of Juneteenth commemorates the date, three years after it had been proclaimed, when the announcement of emancipation from slavery finally reached Galveston, Texas, in 1865. The Philadelphia region has an interesting direct tie to those events, Jordan Levy reports: it was a training ground for many of the Black soldiers who delivered the news.
[Billy Penn]
• All Philly pools set to open
All 61 of the city’s active public pools will open this year, Parks & Rec officials said, a lot more than last summer’s 47. That’s thanks to the major push to hire lifeguards, with bonuses up to $1k for early signup. So far there are 340 guards on the books, with more expected to pass certification this month. Another dozen pools will open this week; here’s the launch schedule.
[Billy Penn/WHYY/Phila Gov]
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