March 29: Casinos don’t generate local development | PHA to sell surplus property | No limit to road spending? | Philly’s evolving accent | Chink’s Steaks becomes Joe’s | Sweets at Shane

Happy Friday, Streeters. Today is Good Friday so remember that city offices, schools, libraries and rec centers are closed and today’s trash collection is pushed back to Saturday. Here’s what’s making news today:

During this week’s listening tour stops to gather public feedback about the six casino proposals, Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger told PlanPhilly’s Kellie Patrick Gates that Pennsylvania casinos aren’t doing much for locals beyond job creation. “I haven’t seen [casinos] generate local economic development. Yet. But one of the ones in this room could. Some might, some might not.” Spinoff development will be among the city’s considerations as it evaluates and eventually endorses one or more of the six proposed for Philadelphia’s second casino license.

The Philadelphia Housing Authority hopes to raise $4 million by selling more of its surplus scattered site housing and vacant lots, as part of a larger plan to close the agency’s $23.3 million budget gap, reports the Inquirer. PHA approved a budget that will require layoffs and finding efficiencies, and the agency will need to raise money for its development plans via bonds.

Inga Saffron questions the wisdom of spending $900 million in US taxpayer funds on a new interchange for 295 in New Jersey. For that kind of money PATCO could build light rail from Camden to Glassboro or SEPTA could extend the Broad Street Line through the Navy Yard to the airport. Saffron wonders what amount is too much to spend on a highway project? “No highway project has ever made a city a better place to live, while transit projects improve our quality of life in a variety of ways, and are better for the environment.”

The Philadelphia accent is evolving, according to Penn linguistics scholars. NewsWorks explains how a few of Philly’s telltale vowel sounds are shifting, and offers great audio clips to explain.

Chink’s Steaks is changing it’s unintentionally racist name to Joe’s and considering a move to Fishtown, reports the Business Journal. Chink’s opened on Torresdale Avenue in Wissinoming in 1949; it will reopen Monday as Joe’s.

The Daily News caught up with Ryan Berley to talk Easter treats and the sweet business of bringing Shane Confectionery in Old City back to life.

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