>There was a noticeably larger police presence surrounding City Hall Tuesday afternoon. Officers were seen on foot and bike patrolling the area and dispersing gathering teens.

>Screenshots obtained by the Journal also show Fetterman dismissed concerns from the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, known as CHOP, about possible Medicaid cuts last year.

>The texts show Fetterman asking an aide why he needed to meet with CHOP. When the aide told him that CHOP was worried about Medicaid cuts, Fetterman said he “was not.”

>“I’m convinced they just want free trips to D.C.,” Fetterman said in the text message.

>The source [who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the plans,] said that Philly For Growth will fund advertising to support Council members Mark Squilla, whose 1st District includes parts of South Philly, Center City, and Fishtown; Cindy Bass, whose 8th District is based in North and Northwest Philadelphia; and Quetcy Lozada, whose 7th District includes much of North Philadelphia and Kensington...

>The super PAC is making one exception when it comes to supporting incumbent district Council members ... In the 5th District, currently represented by Councilmember Jeffrey Young Jr., the group will support a to-be-decided challenger.

" The Philly Fixers Guild is an independent collective of talented volunteers from differing technical backgrounds who are committed to the idea of “repair rather than replace.”

Bring your broken stuff - Learn to repair!"

Story Highlights

• The University of Pennsylvania acquired full ownership of the 130-unit Axis on 36th Street building.
• Penn leased the building to house upperclass students during the 2024-25 academic year while Ware College House underwent renovations.
• The university purchased Tabernacle United Church [at 3700 Chestnut St. for $6.5 million.] and [paid $4 million for a mixed-use building at 3931 Walnut St.] this summer.

Reservation is free but required.

>Coffee and Commerce, a networking and panel discussion event dedicated to exploring Philadelphia’s nighttime economy. Hospitality professionals, nightlife operators, City officials, and business leaders will convene to engage business owners in conversations about the opportunities and challenges shaping the city after dark.

>Program Agenda:

>6:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. - Registration and Networking
6:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Panel Discussion: Strengthening the Nightlife Economy: Perspectives from Nightlife & Hospitality Leaders
7:00 p.m. - 7:20 p.m. - Q&A and Networking Break
7:20 p.m. - 8:10 p.m. - Panel Discussion: Strengthening Philadelphia’s Nighttime Economy Through Government Partnership
8:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Networking and Closing Remarks

Center City Philly is still a safe place to exist.

>The eight-week fall season begins Sept. 1, with free walking groups meeting at more than 25 parks across the city.

Excerpts:

The planters and trees destroy the primacy of the view of City Hall Tower along the street, write Alan Greenberger and Harris M. Steinberg.

In creating this continuous concrete highway divider-cum-planter in the center of the street, the project actually has a chilling effect on South Broad. Not only do the planter and the trees destroy the primacy of the view of City Hall tower along the street, but it reinforces the nature of Broad Street as a highway, and makes it impossible to see the other side of the street while either walking or driving. And forget about parades and festivals.

We are told this is to be replicated on the street from City Hall to Washington Avenue to the tune of $150 million, or $15 million per block. Who thought this was a good idea?

And, as if to add insult to injury, the project proposes outsized planters along the sidewalks that will further isolate the two sides of the street, crowd out whatever street life exists, and create, along with the tall planter in the center of the street, a series of cattle chutes for 10 blocks.

How is it that a street lined with hotels, residences, and offices has only one place for outdoor dining — at Arthaus? Broad Street wants bustling sidewalks, but landscaping and hardscape improvements alone will not increase street life.

Alan Greenberger served as deputy mayor for economic development and director of commerce under Mayor Michael A. Nutter, and chaired the Philadelphia City Planning Commission

Harris M. Steinberg served as the founding executive director of PennPraxis at the School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. He led the planning process for the Central Delaware Waterfront.