New public park planned for Center City plaza
Philadelphians have their first look at the future of Thomas Paine Plaza, thanks to concept renderings prepared for yesterday’s Art Commission review. The proposed design for the space in front of the Municipal Services Building — formerly home to the Rizzo statue and the “Your Move” art installation — will turn the barren, concrete expanse into a public park.
BP intern Deesarine Ballayan describes the plans, which call for more seating, trees, colored lighting, and sloped entrances for improved accessibility.
Photos: Show-stopping fan fashion from Beyoncé in Philly
The Bey Hive swarmed Lincoln Financial Field on Wednesday evening, with decked out fans from the city, the suburbs, and as far away as North Carolina filling the South Philly arena. It was Beyoncé’s first U.S. stop on her Renaissance Tour, and ticketholders did not come to play when it came to fashion.
As well-deserved compliments were tossed back and forth across the parking lots, photographer Erin Blewett was there to capture the best fits.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• A Pa. Senate proposal to fix the commonwealth’s outdated probation rules is opposed by civil rights advocates who say it fails to meaningfully address the problems, and could even make things worse. [BP/Spotlight PA]
• Rents in the Philadelphia metro area are still rising, but at a much slower rate than the last three years. The typical rent is $1,864, about $150 less than the U.S. overall. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Three years ago, Hoa Binh Plaza at 16th and Washington was sold to a developer, but a planned apartment complex was denied. Now it looks like the South Philly lot may end up hosting a pickleball facility and a methadone clinic. [PlanPhilly 2019/Naked Philly]
• A storefront that welcomes aspiring designers aged 11 and up is coming to Garden Court, courtesy of local fashion and sewing school the Made Institute. [West Philly Local]
• Hundreds came out to the first Black Chef Showdown in South Philly, where a culinary competition for best cheesesteak featured lots of variations, from jerk chicken to brisket to vegan shrimp. [Billy Penn]
• Reservations at Zahav are usually booked months in advance, but as of this week, Mike Solomonov’s modern Israeli restaurant in Society Hill launches a new patio with walk-in seating only. A la carte menu is here. [Instagram/PDF]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney joins officials and community members for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the triangular space at North Philly’s Broad, Germantown, and Erie intersection, across from the Beury building (11 a.m.). Kenney then heads to a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of Fotterall Square Park in Fairhill (2:30 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
🏎️ Rev your engines for the Morris Motor Show, where the Chestnut Hill arboretum showcases rare vehicles from a century of car manufacturing. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 15)
🚣🏼 Torresdale historic mansion Glen Foerd throws its annual RiverFest party, with free family-friendly arts and crafts and exploration on the waterfront. (1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 15)
🍷 Just off South Street, The Good King Tavern hosts the seventh annual Bastille Day Block Party, with music, a raffle, jeu de poches (cornhole), and plenty of food and wine. (12 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 15)
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