July 21: Intrusion evolution | Filthadelphia | Historical society sues NJDOT

Happy Friday, Philadelphia. Here’s what you need to know this morning:

James Turrell’s ‘Skyspace’ at the Art Museum continues the iconic landscape’s history of constant evolution, argues Inga Saffron. While historians warn that the permanent pavilion and light show could compromise the famous view, Saffron explains that the Water Works’ reservoir, Art Museum, and “looming presence of the Philadelphian” have already changed the view of that ‘crabby landscape.’ Saffron agrees with critics who call for better public engagement.

Despite June’s record highs in median sales price, the Philadelphia housing market overall remains flat, writes Econsult Solutions’ Jonathan Tannen. What does this mean for some of the city’s fastest appreciating neighborhoods? Tannen observes other housing traits beyond the price tag, including the neighborhood’s added value, lot size, and number of stories. To explore this, Tannen revisits the Fishtown and Point Breeze neighborhoods’ booming prices since 2011.

The Camden County Historical Society is suing NJDOT, claiming it committed fraud when it demolished the Hugg-Harrison house in Bellmawr, writes WHYY’s Peter Crimmins. The society argues that the house, which NJDOT tore down as part of the $900 million reconfiguration where I-76 and I-295 meet, should have been protected under the National Historic Preservation Act. The society demands in the lawsuit for NJDOT to either build a replica of the house or create a nearby museum.

PA DEP staffers warned their superiors of the dangers to private water wells from Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 pipeline construction, StateImpact PA’s Susan Phillips and Jon Hurdle report. The agency’s regional waterways and wetlands program manager sent an email detailing the staff’s concerns, as well as conversations with a worried resident; the DEP says it is unaware if Sunoco identified all the nearby private wells or contacted owners 72 hours before construction. The company has halted drilling in West Whiteland Township in Chester County and LeTort Run in Cumberland County.

Comic street artist Kid Hazo installed temporary emoji reaction meters at illegal dumping sites across the city, writes Streets Dept’s Conrad Benner. Kid Hazo aims for ‘Filthadelphia‘ to inspire action, calling for Philadelphians to help tackle littering and illegal dumping by reporting sites to Philly 311 or volunteering with the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee.

City officials unveiled Thursday the newly renovated Shakespeare Park in front of the Free Library on Ben Franklin Parkway, writes Metro Philly’s Hayden Mitman. The renovations are part of the $65 million ‘Bridges Over 676’ public space improvement project.