West Shipyard archaeology | tactical urbanism in Germantown | AVI shocker + roundup | Delaware dredging clears House | Council to veto bike lanes

A new round of archaeological explorations are set to begin at a Vine Street parking lot to look at evidence of Philadelphia’s original coastline and the remains of the 18th century West Shipyard, reports PlanPhilly’s Kellie Patrick Gates. The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is sponsoring the archaeological work, which is set to begin in July.

West Rockland Street sisters, Emaleigh and Aine Doley, have been hard at work to organize, promote, clean, and green their Germantown block using low-cost, volunteer- and donation-driven projects that produce visible change. Inga Saffon writes about the Doley sister’s efforts in Germantown within the context of the larger movement of “tactical urbanism,” essentially DIY urban improvements that intervene where the city doesn’t, can’t, or won’t.

Surprising as it may be, City Council looks poised to pass and take the heat for the administration’s Actual Value Initiative. In the Inquirer, Patrick Kerkstra writes that “the administration has given Council every excuse it needs to walk away from AVI,” but they haven’t. And Patrick offers several reasons why not: the backroom politicking has been effective, Council President Clarke is a willing partner, the case for helping the school district out is compelling, and perhaps Council believes that AVI is truly the fair thing to do no matter the cost.

More AVI-related news:

• What will your property taxes be? [Daily News]
• City Council offers preliminary support for two tax plans: one would approve AVI and increase a business tax to help the school district’s budget, and a competing proposal to freeze the current system for one more year [Inquirer]
• AVI’s small-business impact [NakedPhilly]

The House of Representatives approved a $29.4 million project to deepen the Delaware River’s shipping channel, reports the Business Journal. The project funding is part of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act for the next fiscal year, which now moves on to the Senate. Environmental advocates are concerned about the impact of the dredging, while port interests have been pushing to deepen the channel.

City Council gave itself veto power over proposed bike lanes, reports PlanPhilly’s Jared Brey. In a recent Word on the Street poll here, you folks were distinctly opposed to this maneuver.

The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest. Have a tip? Send it along.