Furness at Mt. Sinai, reprieve for Catholic high schools, public school closure hearings March 3, PHA to stay under HUD control, $24 million garage for Zoo

Mt. Sinai Cemetery Chapel in Frankford is one of few surviving buildings designed by Frank Furness for the city’s Jewish community. Alan Jaffe takes a closer look at the little chapel for PlanPhilly.

Four of the Catholic high schools that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia had planned to close were granted a reprieve thanks to private fundraising, reports the Inquirer. Developer J. Brian O’Neill led a campaign that raised $12 million – thanks largely to 10 major donors – which will keep West Catholic, St. Hubert, Conwell-Egan, and Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast open.

Meanwhile the School Reform Commission will hold hearings on March 3 for each of the nine public schools slated for closure, reports the Notebook. The final SRC vote is expected on March 29. The School Reform Commission held its 21st public meeting on school closures last week.

The Philadelphia Housing Authority will likely remain under federal control until the agency is able to implement more reforms, reports the Inquirer. That works for Mayor Nutter who would like to see Harrisburg restructure the PHA board so it is under greater Mayoral control.

The Philadelphia Zoo will get 683 new parking spaces in a $24 million garage, reports the Business Journal. The garage is part of the Centennial District Intermodal Transportation Center, but there is still no train stop at the Zoo.

 

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