Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Jack O’Brien

Jonah @anotherjonah.bsky.social · 2d

This morning I was filming ICE abducting sometime in Petworth. One of the agents told me "the last US citizen that did this he put in cuffs all the way to the courtroom".

190 970 2.5K

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 4d

While it’s not The Stitch, some key safety improvements are taking place along Vine St. in Chinatown starting 10/20. I don’t love the positioning of the bike lanes, but this will still be a big, big improvement to the current situation here.

2

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 4d

good lord

2

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 5d

this is about the colonial militia AND the band

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 6d

This is immediately next to the Viking Mill/former Urban Axes site redevelopment, which will bring yet another 178 units across the new construction and adaptive-reuse portions. Design is from DesignBlendz. Thoughts on all the action here?

2

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 6d

Recent progress at 2000-20 E. Hagert St. in East Kensington. Plans call for 108 units and artist studios for the former auto repair shop. This is in a pocket of the neighborhood that has seen hundreds of new construction units join the fold (Img 3). Design is from T + Associates.

1 4

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 7d

Bratislava is gorgeous this time of year

1

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 7d

A former factory at 3700-40 Kensington Ave. near the Harrowgate/Juniata border has new plans. Naked Philly first reported a conversion to 64 apartments, but new permits show a reduction to 43 units, with ground-floor office space & parking for 66 vehicles/20 bicycles.

Thoughts?

4

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 8d

In a move we cannot remember seeing ever, the planned mechanical garage at Annex 1201 at 12th & Vine will be changed to storage space. Plans originally called for 36 below-grade spaces for this addition the Jarvis Building. This is just two blocks from the Race-Vine BSL station.

5

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 8d

BREAKING: a 36-floor, 620-unit tower is proposed at 1321 S. Columbus Blvd. in Pennsport. There had been big plans here in the past, but this new proposal (which already has permits), would change the area completely - and add better trail connections.

jackphillyre.substack.com/p/breaking-3...

BREAKING: 36 Floors, 620 Units Proposed in Pennsport

A mixed-use, 382' tower called Wharton Piers and trail improvements are planned along the Delaware River

jackphillyre.substack.com

1 1 8

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 10d

go birds

1

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 12d

A cool opportunity in a couple weeks to tour what will be one of the region’s premier job/logistics centers at the massive Bellwether District. This (along with all the Phila Port stuff) is going to completely redefine the future of South/SW Philly.

4

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 13d

The Chinatown Night Market is happening a week from today on Thursday, 10/9 from 6-10 pm. Food, music, events, and more right in the heart of the neighborhood. Go check it out and watch the Phillies game close by that night (Phils in 4). Get out and explore 😎

2 7

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 14d

One of the last undeveloped sites near the NoLibs-Olde Kensington-Fishtown construction epicenter is for sale. The one-story Benjamin Moore store at 210 W. Girard has been there for years but the 15K+ sqft property could be enticing for developers.

jackphillyre.substack.com/p/developmen...

Development Site for Sale Amidst NoLibs-Olde Kensington Boom

The one-story Benajamin Moore retail store hits the market as one of the final non-developed sites in the area

jackphillyre.substack.com

1

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 14d

Woodland Presbyterian Church at 42nd & Pine in Spruce Hill received zoning permits yesterday to be converted into 27 dwelling units. No details as of yet, but we are glad to see this spot repurposed. This is a contributing building within the newish Southeast Spruce Hill historic district.

2

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 21d

New renderings with materials were just released for the 35-unit, mixed-use proposal at 2nd & Quarry in Old City. Mostly red brick, save for some tan on the recessed upper setback along Quarry around the historical structures. Design is from Gnome.

Thoughts on the look?

1 12

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 28d

We check out a hundred-year-old stunner in Torresdale in far NE Philly. This home is oozing with charm and historic details, though it's not historically-designated - much like many, MANY other properties outside of Greater Center City.

jackphillyre.substack.com/p/a-torresda...

2 2

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 28d

A new dessert shop is coming to the ground floor of 222 N. 11th St. in Chinatown. Two blocks away at 931 Arch St., vacant office space will get new life as event space. ALWAYS stuff happening in Chinatown, so go explore if you haven't recently.

Now we just need the Troc back...

3

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 29d

Is a newly approved 20-unit project near the Bellwether District a sign of things to come? New apartments could be the first of many proposals we see near this emerging logistics powerhouse. What would you want to see happen in the area?

jackphillyre.substack.com/p/20-apartme...

1 8

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · Sep 14

Arch is surprisingly unfriendly to bikes in Old City, even before they closed westbound traffic on Market Street

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · Sep 14

Loved seeing that - a great idea!

5

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · Sep 14

I believe 2026-27 was the most detailed info i’ve seen 🤷‍♂️

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · Sep 13

Are we aware of the progress happening on the pedestrian/bike improvements on Market Street in Old City? Lots of construction now but it shall be awesome having traffic calming and more space for folks on foot. This is looking toward 2nd & Market 🚲🚶🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚲

3 4 26

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · Sep 12

The $75-million Student Performing Arts Center is now above ground at 33rd & Woodlands Walk on UPenn's campus (photo is from a few months back). This will feature a 300-seat theater, rehearsal space, and more, bringing many performance arts groups under one roof. Thoughts?

2 3