City Hall
Mayor-Elect Parker Announces Administration Leadership
This week, Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker announced the appointment of Chief of Staff Tiffany Thurman, Chief Deputy Mayor of Planning and Strategic Initiatives Aren Platt, and Chief Deputy Mayor of Intergovernmental Affairs, Sustainability, and Engagement Sinceré Harris. Also announced were the appointments of City Hall veterans Robert McDermott and Ami Patel as budget director and deputy budget director, respectively, as well as the retention of Finance Director Rob Dubow, who has served in the role under the two most recent mayoral administrations.
Philadelphia Named KultureCity’s First Sensory Inclusive City
On Tuesday, Philadelphia was recognized by sensory-inclusive nonprofit KultureCity for its work to make the city more accessible to people with sensory sensitivities and challenges.
Around Town
Chinatown Stitch Project Unveils Design for Vine Street Expressway Cap
This week, the Chinatown Stitch Project — a partnership between the City and the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation — unveiled the design selected to reconnect areas currently bisected by the Vine Street Expressway. Project officials are in the process of raising the hundreds of millions of dollars necessary for the installation of a partial highway cap between 10th to 13th Streets, which may include federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dollars. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 once funding has been secured.
Philadelphia Area Housing Market to Boom in 2024
The National Association of Realtors ranked the housing market in the Greater Philadelphia Region — which includes Camden, New Jersey, and Wilmington, Delaware — among its top 10 in terms of potential for strong growth in the coming year, citing comparatively high demand from buyers and sellers due to the preceding two years of “subdued activity,” affordability, and job growth, among other factors.
CDR Committee Holds Public Meeting on Sixers’ Arena Proposal
On Monday, the Civic Design Review (CDR) committee held a special meeting at the request of Councilmember Mark Squilla (District 1) to review the most recent plans for the Philadelphia 76ers’ proposed $1.55 billion Center City arena, kicking off the official approval process.
Jefferson Announces Plans to Acquire Lehigh Valley Health Network
On Tuesday, Thomas Jefferson University announced its plans to acquire Lehigh Valley Health Network, which would expand the institution’s reach beyond the immediate Philadelphia region and create a 30-hospital system. In the past decade, Jefferson has acquired five health systems, a university, and a nonprofit health insurer.
La Colombe Acquired by Chobani
Last week, Philadelphia’s homegrown La Colombe coffee roaster announced its acquisition for $900 million by Greek yogurt company Chobani, expanding the cafe’s retail reach. While partnership details are still being worked out, La Colombe is expected to remain an independent business under Chobani management.