April 30: Philly’s air quality | Park smoking ban | Demolition accident on Diamond St | Levy on 21st Century Center City | Giovanni’s Room closing | Roberto Clemente Way

Good morning, Streeters. Here’s what we’re reading on this splash-in-the-puddles kind of morning:

How clean is Philly’s air? According to a report from the American Lung Association Philly is the 11th on the list of U.S. cities with the worst air quality. Still, it’s getting better in terms of particulate pollution, dropping to the lowest level in 15 years, but worse in terms of ozone. NewsWorks explains the report.

The days of smoking in city parks are over – at least legally.  The Inquirer reports that Mayor Nutter signed an executive order banning smoking in city parks, much like Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta.

Two workers suffered minor injuries while performing an emergency demolition on W. Diamond Street in Strawberry Mansion. The Inquirer reports that the crew had been demolishing a partially collapsed house owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and brownstone from a neighboring building dislodged and hit the two workers.   

On the heels of last week’s State of Center City Report, Center City District’s Paul Levy has a boosterish op-ed today about the positive trends that should give us hope about Center City’s strengths and where we have room for improvement.

The Gayborhood is losing an icon: Giovanni’s Room, the nation’s oldest LGBT bookstore will close on May 17. The Philadelphia Gay News explains that the owner has been losing money keeping the store open while seeking a buyer for the business and two buildings at 12th and Pine.

Will the 100 block of Erie Avenue be declared Roberto Clemente Way? The Inquirer reports that a bill is working its way through the Pennsylvania legislature to honor the Pittsburgh Pirates great with a Philly street.

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