September 13: Nuisance businesses | Conservatorship at 18th and Delancey | Studio Gang in SW Philly

Tuesday reminder: President Obama will stump for Hillary Clinton on the Parkway today at 1:45pm. As a result, all traffic around Eakins Oval is being diverted.

The city’s got new tools to fight nuisance businesses, Tricia Nadolny reports, ceremonially signed into law in front of a former nuisance store next to Vernon Park on Germantown Avenue. Legally nuisance behaviors “include illegal consumption of alcohol, drug activity, obstructing a sidewalk, gambling, loitering, public urination, prostitution, littering and parking vehicles on sidewalks. Under the legislation businesses can be cited for nuisances on their property and also on the abutting sidewalk or street. Businesses that receive three citations in 60 days or seven in 12 months will be required to work on an official abatement plan with the Philadelphia Police Department and the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Businesses that do not cooperate can face fines or closure.”

OCF’s Naked Philly reports the city’s next conservatorship case could take over the unlikely blighted corner property at 18th and Delancey. Conservatorship is enabled by the state’s Act 135, under certain conditions a judge may supervise the repair and resolution of property violations and sale of a blighted and abandoned property.

The Pew Charitable Trusts gave Visit Philadelphia $2 million to promote the “original city” – from the Delaware River to 7th Street, Lombard to Vine, reports the Kenneth Hilario.

Chicago-based design firm Studio Gang’s been at work in Southwest Philly to test ideas for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s expanded Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative. Their prescription for civic assets Elmwood and Paschalville, like a Carnegie library and Francis Myers Rec? Build on what’s already there, from rethinking old buildings to leveraging the citizen expertise of neighbors.  

Aramark is, indeed, moving to 2400 Market, and unveiled its plans Monday to overhaul the old industrial building, add five glassy floors on top, and build a promenade toward the Schuylkill. Jacob Adelman reports Aramark’s project will receive $20.6 million in state incentives, including a $10 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant. So what will become of all those floors in the Aramark tower?