Last week, Philadelphia City Council voted to extend the property tax abatement for residential properties only for one year, to reduce the abatement by 10% for industrial and commercial properties, and to impose a tax of 1% on construction costs.
The pandemic has dampened Christmas celebrations worldwide, and in Germany, the emptiness of the public square has transformed public space.
In Center City Philadelphia, the pandemic is decimating retail businesses as foot traffic falls and health restrictions are tightened.
Philadelphia architect Louis Kahn’s concert barge could be coming to the Delaware River waterfront to serve as a floating musical stage.
A group of artists and architects are calling on the MoMA to remove Philip Johnson’s name from its galleries because he was a white supremacist. Sarah Whiting, the Dean at Harvard Graduate School of Design, responded in support of the request.
Maplewood Mall in Germantown received a facelift, with new pavers and landscaping, in hopes to revitalize the little pedestrian mall that is one of the neighborhood’s best-kept secrets.
Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation had closed down many fields to permit-holders only, per their usual winter policy, but this year, they are not issuing permits. After being called out on social media, Parks & Rec re-opened the parks, recognizing the increasing need for outdoor space during the pandemic.
COVID prevention sites housing Philadelphians vulnerable to contracting coronavirus in group settings like shelters are shutting down, giving residents until December 15 to leave, and while some have found housing, there are 175 people who still need to find places to live.
