June 7: Council looks at demo procedures | Law could mean higher fees for SEPTA | Tax collection overhaul | Creative civic project grants | Grant to help Wissahickon Charter expand

Good morning Eyes! Today’s rainy forecast is brought to you by tropical storm Andrea. A flood watch is in effect through late tonight.

Our thoughts are with those recovering from Wednesday’s building collapse. As the victims’ loved ones begin to process the tragedy, City Council plans to look into demolition procedures. 

A new federal law requires passenger and freight operators using the Northeast Corridor come up with a cost sharing plan by October 2014. The law has SEPTA worried it will have to pay more than the $38 million it already pays annually to use portions of Amtrak’s right-of-way. The plan could mean states, like Pennsylvania which agreed to pay $3.8 million to save Amtrak service between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, could end up paying more too. 

City Council approved a top-to-bottom overhaul of the city’s delinquent tax collection system, PlanPhilly’s Jared Brey reported yesterday. If the plan works as intended, homeowners will soon have more incentive to pay their taxes and an easier time doing so. 

The Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics announced it has $25,000 to back roughly seven projects aimed at improving communities through art and design. A grant from the Knight Foundation makes these smaller “creative civic projects” possible. 

The Philadelphia School Partnership announced it will give Wissahickon Charter School a $1.5 million grant. The money will help the school, located in Nicetown, build a second campus and grow its student body from 400 to 950. 

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