May 14: House votes to cut Amtrak funding | Brandywine plans huge East Market project | Common Ground Marketplace preview

Just hours after the Amtrak derailment in Port Richmond, the US House voted to slash funding for Amtrak passenger rail service by $260 million.

More money can’t solve every problem, but one problem is could have solved was paying for Positive Train Control

This got lost in the news yesterday, but minutes before the derailment, a SEPTA train was hit with an unknown projectile that broke the engineer’s window.

SEPTA is nearly doubling service on the West Trenton line to accommodate displaced NEC riders. 

Less than a week out, an independent poll finds Jim Kenney with an unexpectedly huge lead in the Mayoral race.

The property tax reform bill that just passed the Republican-controlled General Assembly received praise from Democratic Governor Tom Wolf, whose proposed budget included some ambitious tax reform goals.

Brandywine is seeking a rezoning for their new parking garage at 6th and Market, Natalie Kostelni reports. They have plans for up to 600,000 square feet of space for the property. For reference, the huge 1100 East Market project will be 650,000 square feet.

Congregation Rodeph Shalom on North Broad will open their new expansion this Sunday, with a special preview of the new Common Ground Marketplace. 

The Philadelphia Water Department and Mural Arts worked together on a 50-piece outdoor art project over 10 blocks in Manayunk, highlighting Schuylkill wildlife, and showcasing some very attractive PWD stormwater collection infrastructure.