Site icon Philly Home Connection

Top News in Philly Development: May 2021

Ever feel like Philly changes so fast you can’t keep up? No sweat. We’ll be bringing you our favorite articles from the month on Philly development – North, South, East, and West. See below for a roundup of all the best local articles from April news.

Real Estate Trends and Market Updates:

 

Four South Philly Neighborhoods Attracting Homebuyers
Where: PhillyVoice
What: South Philly has a plethora of historic neighborhoods, and in more recent years, there’s been a surge of homebuyers looking to experience life beyond Center City. Check out this list by Phillyvoice of four South Philly neighborhoods currently on the rise!

 

Philadelphia City Council sends $400M Preservation Plan to Mayor Jim Kenney 
Where: 6ABC
What: Philadelphia City Council is launching The Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, which will use bonds to fund the restoration of shopping corridors, create new affordable housing, help first-time homebuyers, aid renters trying to avoid eviction, and assist people in making home repairs!

 

Trio works to revitalize Philadelphia’s urban neighborhoods with a focus on equity
Where: 6ABC
What: Exciting news for Philly Developers! A brand new, multi-million-dollar fund is taking applications from female and minority entrepreneurs, with a goal to support developers who reflect the diversity of neighborhoods like Point Breeze, Gray’s Ferry, Brewerytown, West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia.

 

Center City is bouncing back from the pandemic, but businesses still have recovery work ahead
Where: Philly Inquirer
What: With the vaccine underway, the economy in Center City is seeing improvements, with businesses seeing traffic. However, many businesses are still seeing a shortage in workers. The Commercial Real Estate Development Association is planning to urge City Council to reintroduce a job creation tax credit, which in the past has lured new businesses into the city. 

 

Openings and Up-and-Coming Development Projects:

 

Francisville residents turned a vacant lot into a bustling park. But the city has plans to build affordable housing there, and wants it cleared
Where: Philly Inquirer
What: A half-acre city-owned lot was recently cleaned up and transformed into a beautiful park by Francisville residents. The city, however, has plans to use the space for affordable housing, and neighbors have been ordered to clear out the lot.

 

The Arts and Architecture

 

Dasha Zhukova’s New Real Estate Venture, Ray, Makes It Night at the Museum Every Night
Where: Wall Street Journal
What: Dasha Zhukova, arts patron and philanthropist is launching a new residential real estate development firm in New York.Ray’s buildings will offer cultural programming like master classes, events and workshops drawn from local institutions and artists to encourage creative synergy. Ray’s rental buildings will boast a permanent installation by Rashid Johnson, who will be creating a plant-filled installation for the lobby of a 110-unit building in Philadelphia’s rising Fishtown neighborhood!

 

88-Year-Old Artist Finishes Year of Pandemic ‘Daily Doodles
Where: NBC10
What:  Former Real Estate Agent Robert Seaman launched a personal project during the pandemic – Daily Doodles, in which he spent 6 hours in his room illustrating. He has recently just finished a whole year’s worth of drawings, some of which, are for sale.