Latest news with #MarkSquilla
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
New affordable housing development for seniors opens in Chinatown
A new affordable senior housing development at the corner of 9th and Vine streets will provide dozens of new housing units atop what was previously an underutilized surface parking lot in Philadelphia's Chinatown neighborhood. Several of the development's partners gathered on Tuesday including Pennrose and Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation to celebrate the opening of Man An House, a five-story midrise building that will house 51 units for residents 62 years and older. John Chin, executive director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, said the community was really celebrating the power of preservation, in addition to the building. Will Kenworthy "This came from numerous conversations with seniors who told us what they need to age in place with dignity, and with families who wanted a good neighbor and with partners who believe in equitable development," Chin said. The building has studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments for seniors earning 20% to 60% of the area median income and is designed for accessibility, with some units outfitted for residents with physical disabilities, including hearing and vision impairments. Councilmember Mark Squilla said this is part of the city's promise to have 30,000 affordable housing units in Philadelphia. "This mission that happened here today is the proof that we can do that," Squilla said. More information on Man An House is available on Pennrose's website. Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority is the building's previous owner. Man An House is located in an Opportunity Zone and is part of the Center City Redevelopment Area.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Philadelphia's 'Chinatown Stitch' project threatened by federal funding cuts
[Source] Philadelphia's $160 million 'Chinatown Stitch' project, designed to heal the neighborhood divided decades ago by the Vine Street Expressway, now faces uncertainty as House Republicans propose eliminating billions in federal infrastructure funding. The latest: A House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee proposal aims to cut 'unobligated' funding from dozens of nationwide infrastructure projects — including Chinatown Stitch — as part of a budget reconciliation process pushed by the Trump administration. This would target over $3 billion allocated for reconnecting communities divided by transportation infrastructure. 'We're sort of at their mercy,' Councilmember Mark Squilla, who represents Chinatown, told the Philadelphia Inquirer. 'Nothing is cut at this point — there haven't been any votes — and we're going to continue to move forward.' Why the project matters: The initiative would cap two and a half blocks between 10th and 13th streets along I-676, creating green space and enhancing pedestrian safety in an area disrupted by the expressway's original construction. In March 2024, the project secured a $158 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program. At the time, former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) emphasized the project's purpose 'to reconnect Chinatown decades after residents suffered the consequences of harmful infrastructure decisions.' What's next: Construction was originally projected to begin in 2027, but the timeline now hinges on congressional budget decisions. Despite funding uncertainties, Philadelphia officials continue gathering community input through pop-up meetings. John Chin, executive director of project partner Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, expressed concern about the potential funding cuts. 'All of this is very alarming,' he told Axios, describing it as another challenge 'outside our control' and one that 'reduces our ability to be successful.' Trending on NextShark: This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
SEPTA, PPA crackdown on parking violations using new AI bus cameras begins Wednesday
The Brief AI cameras mounted on SEPTA buses and trolleys will detect parking violations that obstruct public transit and pose safety issues. More than 4,000 warning tickets have already been issued, but real enforcement begins Wednesday. PHILADELPHIA - Real ticketing begins Wednesday for parking violations detected by cameras mounted on SEPTA buses and trolleys. What we know Starting Wednesday, tickets will be issued to violators captured by the new system. That includes drivers who double park, park or stop illegally in no-stopping lanes or at bus stops. PPA officers will manually inspect the violations detected by the bus cameras before sending out tickets. Council Member Mark Squilla sponsored the legislation authorizing PPA and SEPTA to operate the automated bus enforcement camera program which city council passed unanimously in October of 2023. "There's no place for parking the car therefore we stop the car on the road," said one man picking up food from an Old City business. Officials say the goal is to enforce violations that are in the way of public transit and to improve safety. By the numbers The warning period was three weeks long. The special forward-facing AI cameras are mounted on 152 SEPTA buses and 38 trolleys. The fine will be $76 in Center city and $51 outside that area. What they're saying "That's going to be tough. That is going to get a lot of people," said Zach Haeusel about SEPTA buses with new cameras that will be watching the roads ahead of them. "That's going to make a lot of people mad. I wonder how that is going to work out." That is the reaction from drivers on the eve of enforcement. "It's a huge city. It's a problem. We have a lot of problems parking cars somewhere. It is not easy," said Noah Viken. He double parked near 2nd and Market tonight while picking up an Uber Eats order to deliver. He is concerned about the fines. "That's huge money. Sometimes Uber drivers or uber eats drivers they just make like $50 or $60 and then if they gotta pay like 4 tickets it is not going to be fair honestly," said Viken. "It is impossible in the city of Philadelphia that traffic will be perfect. I do not think so." The Source The information in this story is from PPA, SEPTA and Philadelphia City Council officials.
Axios
02-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Federal funding in jeopardy for Philly's Chinatown Stitch project
The massive infrastructure project reconnecting Philadelphia's Chinatown is at risk of losing federal funding, which community leaders say could derail the yearslong effort. Why it matters: Chinatown has fought for decades to stitch its neighborhood back together after it was divided by the construction of the Vine Street Expressway. Driving the news: The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee this week proposed cutting "unobligated" funding from dozens of infrastructure projects nationwide, including the Chinatown Stitch. The proposal would slash about $3.1 billion from the projects to reconnect communities divided by transportation infrastructure, per an analysis from nonpartisan advocacy group Transportation for America. What they're saying: Councilmember Mark Squilla tells Axios there's no contingency plan right now if the federal government strips the funding, but city officials will be "putting our heads together" in the coming weeks. "We are at the mercy of the federal government at this point," he says. "We have to go to the drawing board to see what other possibilities there are." Catch up quick: Philadelphia announced last year that it had received a $159 million federal grant to cap I-676, replacing unsightly overpasses with new green space and improving safety for residents crossing the highway. The project is in the public involvement phase, and the city is holding pop-up meetings to get community input before releasing its final design proposal. By the numbers: It's unclear how much Philadelphia has spent on the project so far. A spokesperson for the city's Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems didn't respond to Axios' requests for comment. PennDOT, a principal partner on the project, is shouldering most of the costs for the Chinatown Stitch, with the city expected to receive about $6.3 million in federal reimbursements, agency spokesperson Brad Rudolph tells Axios. PennDOT had already committed $10.2 million to the project's initial study and preliminary design, Rudolph says. How it works: The city and state spend money upfront on the project and then submit invoices for reimbursement to the federal agency overseeing the grant. John Chin of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp., a partner on the project, tells Axios the possibility of losing federal funding is unsettling for a community trying to heal and spur economic regrowth. "All of this is very alarming," he says. "There's these events that are outside our control that have been thrust upon Chinatown. It reduces our ability to be successful." U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle tells Axios he "fought like hell" to help secure the federal funding for the city. "It is shameful the Trump administration is threatening to rip this historic opportunity away from our city," the Democrat says.
