RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• Consultants selected for Sixers arena impact studies
Consultants were announced last week for two of three studies on the impact of a Sixers arena in Center City — including a local firm known for working with community groups in Chinatown. The studies are being run independently by PIDC, but it turns out the Sixers will be paying for them. That arrangement, though not uncommon for complex developments, spurred accusations of potential bias. Now it all comes down to Councilmember Squilla, who would need to introduce necessary zoning legislation.
[Billy Penn/Inquirer$/WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Philadelphia school facility ratings, mapped
Before Superintendent Watlington paused the process last fall, the Philly School District had assessed about two thirds of facilities under its purview. But because the project wasn’t officially complete, the district never published a summary or analysis. Billy Penn and Temple’s Logan Center obtained the data and mapped the results. What did we find? Nearly 4 in 10 assessed schools had “unsatisfactory” conditions, and fewer than a third were rated “fair” or higher.
[WHYY 2022/Billy Penn]
• SEPTA buses collide on Roosevelt Blvd.
An ugly crash after one SEPTA bus rammed into the back of another Friday afternoon on Roosevelt Boulevard left one woman dead, a driver in critical condition, and more than a dozen other people injured, according to authorities. Police and the transit agency are investigating; here’s what we know so far.
[Billy Penn]
• Camel eating hoagie rolls goes viral
Many strange things happen on the streets of Philadelphia, but a camel chomping on sandwich bread is not usually one of them. That sight in Northern Liberties last Tuesday drew a crowd to 2nd and Fairmount, where the dromedary was apparently part of a photo shoot — sanctioned by the Philly Film Office — for a fashion brand out of Brooklyn. A few days later, nearby Kaplan’s Bakery jumped on the viral moment by offering free loaves to 100 customers.
[Billy Penn/Facebook]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Fetterman’s first national law
If the U.S. Senate passes the national defense spending bill as expected this week, allocating upwards of $886 billion in funding, it’ll mark a milestone for rookie Senator John Fetterman: the first time a piece of legislation he helped author becomes a law. Though some national outlets left out his name, choosing instead to highlight Joe Manchin, Fetterman was one of the sponsors of an amendment that bars sales of oil reserves to China.
[PDF/Reuters/Bradford Era]
• Remembering a slain Philly rapper
Monday brings funeral services for young rapper YNG Cheese, 25, one of the latest victims of gun violence in Philadelphia. His killing is garnering extra attention because he was son of local rapper Gillie Da King, who with Wallo267 hosts the ultra-popular Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast. The tragedy was noted by Killer Mike, as the nationally famous rapper asked for a moment of silence during his Friday show at Underground Arts.
[CBS3/NY Post/YouTube/BP Instagram/Billy Penn]
• No IMAX ‘Oppenheimer’ at the Franklin
Gov. Shapiro whipped out a pink tie and declared himself for the former, but if you’re looking to follow up on the latter part of “Barbie” vs. “Oppenheimer” this week, you’ll have to travel outside the city to get the full 70mm IMAX experience. The Franklin Institute used to offer IMAX film screenings, but the Tuttleman Theater closed during the pandemic. What’s keeping it from reopening? The science museum refused to provide any details.
[@GovernorShapiro/Billy Penn]
• Eagles report to training camp
Good news for Philly sports fans itching for some football: Eagles training camp officially starts this week. Rookies return on Tuesday and veterans on Thursday to the NovaCare Complex on Pattison Avenue for a relatively light load of summer workouts. One of them is open to the public, and $10 tickets to the Aug. 6 Lincoln Financial Field practice are still available.
[NFL/Ticketmaster]
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