Philadelphia had an eventful yr, but once more.
A brand new mayor took workplace for the primary time in eight years, the plan to construct a downtown basketball area ignited fierce opposition, and town performed its acquainted starring position in a extremely consequential presidential election.
Philadelphians additionally had enjoyable entertaining themselves, as we all the time do — whether or not by celebrating characters like Dave, who purchased a billboard to get a date, or following the on-again, off-again saga of the purportedly Florida-bound SS United States.
Right here’s a recap of some of the large tales Billy Penn introduced you in 2024.
Mayor Parker tries to finish Kensington’s drug market
In Could, not too long ago elected Mayor Cherelle Parker launched her much-hyped Kensington enchancment plan with a clearing of a tent encampment on Kensington Avenue. Some residents applauded the hassle, whereas others doubted it could make a lot distinction in the long run. Consultants stated that, with sufficient sources and the precise techniques, town would possibly a minimum of suppress the decades-old open-air drug market. Council authorized borrowing $100 million to construct a shelter and drug remedy middle in Northeast Philadelphia.
Dave (and his cute cat) simply need a little bit love
“Dave is Single! Need to go on a DATE with DAVE?” So learn the immediately viral billboard that Dave Cline and a few mates paid to place up in West Philly in July, that includes an image of his actually and his charmingly sprawling cat. The New York Instances, Washington Put up, and different retailers subsequently picked up the story. Dave was a featured visitor at Billy Penn’s tenth Anniversary get together in October, together with different Philly notables like Ya Fav Trashman, curator Conrad Benner and the Chickenman. (Additionally take a look at the Eagles fan whose missed connection went viral.)
A fierce combat over the downtown area
Chinatown defenders who oppose the Sixers’ proposed area on East Market Road, and labor union members and others who assist it, staged dueling rallies and gave emotional testimony at Metropolis Council hearings. Mayor Parker held neighborhood city halls to drum up assist, whereas medical professionals warned of harmful gridlock that might block ambulances. Regardless of a city-commissioned examine that discovered Chinatown may lose its identification, a Council majority green-lighted the world, which is scheduled to open in 2031.
Jason Kelce’s retirement was just the start
One of many most beloved and charismatic Eagles gamers of all time shifted to the subsequent stage of his profession, and the place will we even start? Together with his barechested partying with the Payments Mafia, maybe? Together with his account of shedding his Tremendous Bowl ring in a kiddie pool of Cincinnati chili? Or his newest Philly Particular Christmas Social gathering single, this time with Stevie Nicks? That point he spiked the cellphone of a fan who insulted Kelce’s brother Travis? Followers can count on to maintain listening to extra about his antics within the New 12 months, when he’ll host a short-run late-night speak present on ESPN.
College of the Arts shuts down for good
A bombshell hit on the finish of Could, when leaders of the College of the Arts introduced that the 154-year-old establishment would shut — virtually instantly. As college students, school, elected officers and the broader group struggled to know why the varsity was closing and find out how to reply, we took a take a look at components that will have led to the abrupt transfer.
SEPTA pulls again from the brink
SEPTA had a near-death-spiral second when a fiscal disaster led it to suggest enormous fare hikes and repair cuts; then Gov. Josh Shapiro swooped in with a rescue “flex” of federal freeway {dollars}, annoying Republican legislators. The feds additionally ordered the authority to make hundreds of thousands of {dollars}’ price of security fixes. Philly DA Larry Krasner unsuccessfully fought the appointment of a particular prosecutor for crimes on the transit system, the company mounted its ghost bus concern, and a Temple scholar started a trek to go to and rank all of SEPTA’s 284 stations.
A viral sprint, or crawl, throughout the state
Sticking to the transportation theme, Billy Penn intern and social media influencer Santiago Ortiz raced a good friend from Philly to Pittsburgh’s Primanti Bros., with Santiago driving and his buddy Logan taking a airplane. As for the result, let’s simply say, “sluggish and regular doesn’t win the race.” Santiago additionally braved Pink Bull’s greased pole problem at Spruce Road Harbor Park, with predictable outcomes.
A bike owner’s loss of life spurred motion on highway security
The horrific loss of life of Barbara Friedes, a bike owner allegedly struck by a drunk driver on Spruce Road, drew consideration to the sluggish progress of the metropolis’s Imaginative and prescient Zero program and spurred protests demanding higher bike lane protections. Parker took a symbolic bike experience to indicate her assist, town offered plans to set up concrete obstacles and planters, and in December the mayor signed a invoice barring vehicles from parking in bike lanes, even momentarily.
The SS United States goes, going… Nope, it’s nonetheless right here.
Going through eviction for unpaid dock charges, superfans of that large rusting ship you may see from the South Philly Ikea gave up on restoration plans and agreed to let it’s sunk and changed into a reef off Florida’s Gulf coast. Stormy climate delayed the deliberate November transfer, however admirers took the chance to get pleasure from a close-up tour across the historic, almost 1,000-foot-long vessel. As of late December, it’s nonetheless in the identical spot, awaiting a tow.
Flavored and costumed by Philly
A pair Billy Penn traditions returned for one more yr. Our group and a few WHYY colleagues taste-tested Herr’s newest trio of “Flavored by Philly” chip varieties and settled on one clear favourite. October introduced our annual information to last-minute, DIY, Philly-themed Halloween costumes, equivalent to Jason Kelce’s Retirement, the S.S. U.S. with Eviction Discover, and PA, the Swing State.
The middle of the political universe, once more
Billy Penn contributed to WHYY’s exhaustive protection of this yr’s elections. We anticipated after which reported low voter turnout. We went to VP candidate J.D. Vance’s South Philly marketing campaign cease and a Harris-Walz rally at Temple College. We checked out the scene close to the Nationwide Structure Heart earlier than the presidential debate there, and famous a wrong-Philadelphia blooper by Senate candidate Dave McCormick’s marketing campaign. And we supplied our complete Procrastinator’s Information and defined find out how to vote by mail. When it was throughout, we went to the streets to examine on how people had been feeling.