own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment View all partners I was walking through the Kensington neighborhood in North Philadelphia when I noticed a shrine made from scraps of lumber and old furniture their fur matted by rain and bleached by the Sun “RIP Bug” had been crudely written with black Sharpie across a koala’s chest As if in answer to my question – who is “Bug” It was set in concrete along with spent votive candles the words “In Memory of Bough,” and a photograph of a young man with a dimpled smile wearing a cap and sports jersey drawn back by questions about the intensely personal work of public mourning that it performed How had it come to be on this unremarkable stretch of sidewalk emptied the bottles and placed the stuffed animals Over the past seven years, I have visited, revisited and documented dozens of memorials in the neighborhood even items of clothing such as T-shirts and trucker jackets These memorials are what cultural theorist Mieke Bal calls “acts of memory.” They serve as public expressions of private mourning in response to the traumas and tragedies of everyday urban life People typically think of memory as a purely personal But in his book about the legacy of the Holocaust, memory studies scholar Michael Rothberg challenges this conception He defines memory as “the past made present,” and he highlights three important points about the social aspects of memory But even personal acts of recollection reflect cultural understandings of what should be remembered and why. Consider the rituals associated with commemorating 9/11 – displaying flags and the “Never forget” slogan It is clear the significance of that traumatic event is more than the sum of our personal memories of that day The second characteristic of Rothberg’s definition is that collective memory is really about the present isn’t about remembering the historical details of 9/11 but rather keeping the event’s cultural significance alive in the present prayer cards and park benches also keep the memory of loved ones present for those who mourn their loss The third characteristic of memory is that it is made As anyone who has crammed for an exam knows Collective memory requires collective work For instance, a few blocks from Bough’s memorial is another shrine created in a neighborhood park. It remembers a young man who was shot and killed nearby. In the years since his killing in 2020 the shrine has been repeatedly repaired and renewed with prayer candles and other items Remembering him is something his friends and neighbors continue to do publicly as we often do with unpleasantness – especially when it involves trauma One obvious answer is because the past is how we make sense of the present groups use aspects of the past to explain why the present is the way it is As communication and memory scholars have argued, collective memory is always partial and therefore also partisan the conflict is also a contest over whose traumas count as traumas and whose suffering deserves public acknowledgment many of Kensington’s memorials are linked to traumas and often appear where tragedies occurred Memorials like those to Bough and Caraballo use collective memory to expand our notions of whose traumas matter As with collective memory of other traumas they invite us to expand the circle of compassion (7News) — Many residents across Montgomery and Prince George's counties woke up Monday morning with the lights out or with severe damage from toppled trees after heavy winds blew through the region Sunday 7News On Your Side drove all around the DMV finding the worst damage in Montgomery County One home in North Kensington had a tree falling onto its roof Neighbors were spotted helping clean up some of the damage a tree was laying against a condominium complex one home about four miles to the east in Derwood was not so lucky Montgomery County Fire and EMS shared pictures showing a tree cutting a home in half READ| DC midweek snow chances decrease as storm's track shifts south where a tree crashed down onto the roof of a home The woman who lives in that home said she was in her room upstairs when that happened and I moved to my bathroom and the tree started falling down," said the woman "I started screaming and wondering what it was The tree from the side of my house fell." Damage is not the only thing residents have had to deal with in the day after gusts whipped across the region A spokesperson for Pepco said crews restored power to 8,800 customers Monday As of publication, more than 700 customers are still without power but the spokesperson said all power is expected to be restored by Tuesday afternoon A spokesperson for BGE said crews have restored power to more than 100,000 customers which represents 80 % of the outages experienced as a result of the heavy winds More than 14,000 customers are still without power as of publication though many of their customers are in Baltimore and north The company's spokesperson said they expect to restore the vast majority of the outages by 11 p.m with 800 more line workers arriving Tuesday to help with efforts Details of our services and opening hours. Read more... Join us for this special clinic for your digital devices Are you having problems using your mobile phone This clinic is delivered by Age UK in a group setting for the over-50s © 2025 The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea By: 8:00 am on November 17 Permits have been issued for the construction of a new multi-family building located at 1931-33 North 2nd Street in Olde Kensington the new building will rise six stories and contain 21 residential units of which five are designated to be offered as affordable housing The building will include seven bike spaces and interior elevator for residents and will span a total of 20,594 square feet KCA Design Associates is the architectural firm behind the project The new building will feature a modern exterior that mirrors other new projects built recently in the vicinity The ground floor will be fully clad in brick helping promote a more positive street presence the majority of surface space on the upper floors will see the usage of metal panelling which contributes to the modern look of the building and likely helps reduce costs regarding materials A single column of brick will rise up the center of the building on these floors The new structure will rise in place of a presently standing industrial building This low-slung structure stands just one story tall and features a bland exterior Red brick covers the majority of its facade with a dull gray metal garage door also occupying a good portion of the exterior When taking the building’s curb cut into account as well it becomes clear that the structure does not do a terrific job at meeting the street and creating a welcoming presence on this block 35 residential units and commercial space have been brought to the block making for transformational change and activating this stretch of 2nd Street Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates Like YIMBY on Facebook Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews ADVERTISEMENT Follow on Instagram © COPYRIGHT New York YIMBY LLC Noteworthy: Open Houses scheduled for Thursday Beautifully finished and like-new townhouse offering nearly 2,400 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space including four bedrooms — each with its own full bathroom — and a large two-car garage walking distance to parks and Westover Village (restaurants The versatile layout delivers great main level entertaining space all enhanced by high ceilings and abundant natural light Located within the highly-rated school pyramid of Cardinal Elementary (walkable) this home is also just a short drive to Virginia Hospital Center Easy guest parking is available on neighborhood streets and in dedicated community spaces Walk into charming Westover Village featuring a specialty grocery store and sandwich/pizza shop weekly Westover Farmers Market (every Sunday) Outdoor enthusiasts will love the proximity to three fantastic parks — Lacey Woods Park and Bon Air Park and Rose Garden — offering courts provides miles of paved paths for biking and walking Reagan National and Dulles International Airports NPR's Morning Edition takes listeners around the country and the world with two hours of multi-faceted stories and commentaries that inform Morning Edition is the most listened-to news radio program in the country there’s been a 57% reduction in shootings in Kensington and police have seized 24,000 grams of fentanyl People experiencing homelessness hung out north of Allegheny Avenue on Kensington Avenue after two blocks south of there was cleared by city officials on May 8 Proposed legislation would restrict mobile providers from operating on residential streets near schools and recreation centers and in other public areas of Kensington Philadelphia police could offer reduced charges and possible expungement to people willing to submit to drug treatment “This community has been struggling for a long time and finally I feel like there is some breathing room,” said Councilmember Quetcy Lozada but the reason we have had some success is that we continue to show up.” Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Mayor Cherelle Parker was not in attendance The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today. The city and school district offer hundreds of summer programs meant to keep Philly students out of trouble and entertained during the summer months Mayor Cherelle Parker introduced her proposed budget to city council Thursday with a commitment to keep city residents safe The plan includes expanding twice-weekly trash pickup to North Philly fixing heating and air conditioning in libraries and adding planters to commercial corridors Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY Link IconCopy linkFacebook LogoShare on FacebookXShare on XEmailShare via EmailLink copied to clipboardBusiness curfews could be coming to much of North Philly and Kensington | City Council roundupAlso Thursday and others weighed in on the Trump administration — again The bill, introduced by City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada during Council’s weekly session on Thursday would require businesses in the covered areas — except those with restaurant liquor licenses — to close their doors between 11 p.m Restaurants with liquor licenses are exempt The bill would also increase the fine for businesses that operate in violation of the curfew from $500 to $1,000 where lawmakers are attempting to curb the longstanding open-air drug market Lozada said the new bill will help the city address public safety concerns in other areas of the city that face disproportionately high rates of crime “I represent three of the five neighborhoods with the highest crime across the city of Philadelphia,” she said “The goal is to reduce crime and to work in partnership with the police department through legislation.” Recalling a zoning bill that faced a potential veto: Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. was facing what could have been Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s first veto since she took office last year The bill would have changed an arcane section of the city’s zoning code governing “nonconforming uses,” or properties that predate existing land-use laws that are allowed to operate as their current or similar uses said the legislation would sow confusion and be burdensome for both the city and for property owners Gauthier’s Mixed Income Neighborhoods (MIN) law is an example of “inclusionary zoning,” which requires developers who build 10 or more housing units set 20% of their projects aside for lower-income residents along with other areas across parts of North and West Philadelphia Gauthier’s legislation comes as Parker is promising a large housing policy package that leans heavily on Turn The Key a program created to make it feasible for developers to build homes that are affordable to working-class residents The new bill exempts Turn the Key projects targeted to those making 60 to 100% of area median income as well as the slashing of some union protections One of the resolutions, authored by Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke, of the progressive Working Families Party condemned “the Trump administration’s continued pursuit of anti-labor and anti-worker policies.” One called on the Trump administration to restore environmental funding to the city, including a terminated $2.12 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assist Eastwick one of the city’s most flood-prone neighborhoods Department of Health and Human Services to maintain funding and support for Head Start a federally funded childhood education program State officials have said cuts to the federal Local Food Purchase Assistance program amount to a loss of $13 million across the commonwealth » READ MORE: Pa. food banks are facing millions in federal funding cuts as they fear increased need Johnson said Thursday that the Trump administration’s cuts could be “devastating.” “We have to make sure our resolve is stronger and continue to keep fighting against these cuts,” he said All four resolutions will be voted on during a future Council meeting Tova du Plessis's highly anticipated bakery is finally opening its doors in Kensington owner and pastry chef of Essen Bakery and Essen North / Photograph by Mike Prince Honestly, so have I. January 2023 was when Philly Mag first reported that the beloved East Passyunk bakery would be expanding into Kensington a four-time James Beard-nominated pastry chef sit-down cafe with house-made sandwiches for breakfast and lunch It would lean heavily into bagels and sell lox and schmear and fresh-roasted Elixr coffee making it an excellent space for remote workers and a hella convenient pit stop for commuters on their way to the Berks station Essen North will finally open its doors on the corner of Berks and Hope Streets A lot has happened since Essen’s expansion was announced — in the world What we didn’t know back in January 2023 was that du Plessis had just been diagnosed with narcolepsy type 1 a lifelong disorder of the sleep/wake cycle she went to a sleep clinic to figure out why she often felt exhausted and would experience muscle weakness whenever she got overexcited (a symptom of cataplexy Aside from telling those closest to her, du Plessis kept her diagnosis private. It wasn’t until the first anniversary that she went public with the life-changing news. “I am diagnosed with narcolepsy type 1. I have known this all year,” she wrote on Essen Bakery’s Instagram this past January Getting a diagnosis of a chronic neurological disorder is a lot to handle But what about getting that diagnosis while being a mother who runs one of Philadelphia’s most successful bakeries and is actively building out a second It was so hard,” she told me shortly after she went public In addition to managing an already pretty hectic lifestyle she now had to figure out a treatment plan that worked for her (As if striking a work-life balance wasn’t hard enough.) 2023 – Pastry chef Tova du Plessis at a construction site that would become Essen North I stopped by Essen North this past March to see how things were progressing it was still a construction site — a skeleton of wooden beams and cement floors covered in a potpourri of sawdust and drywall — but du Plessis had a pretty clear vision of what her new 2,800-square-foot cafe would look like “This is going to be the counter,” she said pointing to a steel frame jutting out in the middle of the room “This is where we’ll prepare coffee — we’ll be serving our own roast made by Elixr,” she added before leading me MTV Cribs-style into the shaping room “This is where you’ll be able to see the magic happen,” she said pointing to a window through which guests can watch bakers braid Essen’s iconic chocolate-halva babka through a wide doorway cut out of a brick wall “We’ll have communal dining tables here for seating during the day but we can also use this as an event space,” she said adding that they’ve designed the space specifically for private events and classes in mind Brad and Tova du Plessis / Photograph by Mike Prince The thing that has always struck me about du Plessis is the unwavering confidence she has in herself to tackle head-on whatever is thrown her way whether it be navigating narcolepsy or the persistent challenges that have delayed this project for nearly two years (you know and Philly being Philly — the usual reasons why most things get delayed in the restaurant industry) Everything she showed me back in March is still a go Everything she announced would happen two years ago is finally coming to fruition who quit his job earlier this year to become a partner and the managing director of both locations Essen North is finally making its big debut Stop by 110 West Berks Street this Friday at 8 a.m they’ll be open seven days a week from 8 a.m Takeout Foods to Include in Your Perfect Philly Picnic 10 Un-Brie-Lievable Philly-Area Cheese Makers and Mongers How Not to Be the Most Annoying Dog Owner at Every Philly Cafe Hosted by Imperial’s Director of Outreach, Andrew Tebbutt, the first part of the visit took place in the Wohl Reach Out Lab a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to delivering hands-on STEM activities and workshops for school children Joe learned about the outreach and community engagement activity Imperial does to inspire primary and secondary school children with a particular focus on underrepresented groups He saw first-hand how Imperial is fuelling the imaginations of the next generation of scientists engineers and mathematicians in Kensington and Bayswater Andrew highlighted how Imperial also provides activities to support children in North Kensington through our social outreach programme, The Invention Rooms Imperial’s President Professor Hugh Brady met with Joe to discuss Imperial’s role in driving forward inclusive economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship locally and across the UK as part of the WestTech Corridor The Corridor is a key initiative fuelling growth by capitalising on Imperial’s research and innovation clusters across West London This includes Albertopolis in Joe’s constituency home to our South Kensington Campus and many of London’s leading arts President Brady highlighted how recent investments and partnerships will empower the WestTech Corridor even further creating a globally competitive ecosystem that serves as a powerful engine for investment This includes a major £150 million investment in a prime industrial site in Old Oak enabling innovators in areas such as CleanTech BioTech and MedTech to stay and scale in West London Imperial’s new partnership with Bruntwood SciTech will also lead to a £200 million life sciences innovation centre at the White City Deep Tech Campus The centre will deliver world-class labs and workspaces where deep tech startups scaleups and global businesses can co-locate and grow alongside Imperial’s academics Article text (excluding photos or graphics) © Imperial College London Photos and graphics subject to third party copyright used with permission or © Imperial College London This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page By: 8:00 am on December 16 Philadelphia YIMBY’s recent site visit has noted that construction is complete at a five-story, 20-unit mixed-use building at 1801-05 North 2nd Street in Olde Kensington The primarily residential building includes two commercial spaces at the ground floor and parking in the basement The structure spans 25,106 square feet of interior space situated at the northeast corner of the intersection of 2nd Street and West Montgomery Avenue had previously housed a large brick-clad warehouse the new structure sports an attractive design that reinterprets Art Deco motifs in a contemporary manner with vertical window bands delineated with black paneling Horizontal brown wood-styled siding at window spandrels add a welcome warm touch that contrasts with the coolness of the adjacent black panels and the gray brick at the ground floor While the building maintains the established street wall vertical niches holding windows and balconies add rigor to the building form 1801-05 North 2nd Street is situated in a transition zone between a residential neighborhood to the east and a commercial/industrial district The construction of an apartment building at the location is feasible due to its short walking proximity to the Berks Station on the Market-Frankford Line to the northeast Several of the south facing balconies have furniture their owners enjoying the month of October with plenty of warm sunshine and nary a drop of rain Not a street tree on the premises but Philly 2 Stroke the motorcycle repair shop conveniently located next door There are countless blocks in Philadelphia where planting a tree is impossible due to gas pipes and water mains I’ve lived in 3 philly homes so far and requested to plant trees denied all 3 times because the “guts” of Philly are those of a poor I would ask why street trees are consistently not included on multi-family projects This one looks really solid compared to others going up in the city but the wood tones really tie into it and make it more hospitable It is very surprising that Philadelphia has so many power poles and ugly wires Why aren’t they undergrounding more wires like in most other large cities Even in many small towns in Europe the wires are underground 2024 /CNW/ - Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) and Ridgeback Group have acquired Mitre Yard a premier Build-to-Rent (BTR) development in North West London This acquisition from City & Docklands adds to the joint venture's expanding footprint in the thriving BTR sector and aligns with its vision for delivering high-quality urban homes for rent Mitre Yard is a newly completed residential development featuring 241 apartments along with over 5,000 sq ft of commercial space and extensive resident amenity The management of Mitre Yard will be undertaken by ila ila's comprehensive management approach will ensure that residents experience seamless service and enjoy the full benefits of their new community Situated adjacent to the Old Oak Opportunity area and the under-construction Old Oak Common railway station the area is expected to be transformed into a thriving super-connected neighbourhood with over 250,000 passengers forecast to pass through the station every day The acquisition of Mitre Yard further strengthens the AIMCo-Ridgeback Joint Venture's position as one of the UK's largest BTR platforms with a portfolio of over 3,300 apartments across 11 assets with a GDV of c.£1bn said: "We are pleased to complete the acquisition of Mitre Yard adding to our best-in-class UK BTR portfolio The last few years have clearly demonstrated the strength of the BTR sector as we have continued to see demand for high quality rental homes increase and we are delighted to be continuing our long-term partnership with AIMCo." said: "AIMCo continues to have confidence in the UK BTR sector and in particular we have sought to increase our exposure to the dynamic London market where the current viability challenges are continuing to constrain future supply The acquisition of Mitre Yard is an important strategic milestone as we continue our expansion into the sector and we look forward to working with Ridgeback and ila to create another exceptional living experience in West London." said: "We are delighted to work with two such well-regarded blue-chip organisations It's really fantastic that we have managed to attract institutional grade investment capital into this exciting West London regeneration area." About Ridgeback GroupRidgeback Group is a fully integrated investor developer and operator with a UK Build-to-Rent residential portfolio of over 4,200 homes with a GDV in excess of £1.4bn SOURCE Alberta Investment Management Corporation For more information, please contact: Alberta Investment Management Corporation, [email protected] Do not sell or share my personal information: By: 8:00 am on May 25 Philadelphia YIMBY’s recent site visit has confirmed that construction work is complete at The Cecil, a mixed-use building at 1641-45 North 2nd Street in Olde Kensington, North Philadelphia The project is situated on the east side of the block between Turner Street and Cecil B Designed by CANNOdesign and developed by R+M Development Partners and BKP Development Group the building rises five stories tall and features commercial space on the ground floor and 20 residential units above Parking space is also included in the project The new building is attractively styled with a design apparently inspired by converted factory loft apartments Large street-facing windows punctuate a beige brick facade accented with gently protruding brick sections aligned with the window grid Dark metal sconces decorate the ground floor The Berks Station on the Market-Frankford Line is situated within an eight minute walk to the northeast and the route 15 trolley runs along Girard Avenue within a ten-minute walk to the south As the Grenfell Tower inquiry draws to a close and its final report is published, we look back at the aftermath of the disaster through the eyes of photographer Nicola Muirhead who has lived and worked in the area and knows the local community well On 14 June 2017, 72 people lost their lives in a devastating fire exacerbated by cladding fitted on Grenfell Tower as part of an earlier refurbishment plan Muirhead was pursuing a long-term project focusing on life in the tower blocks of North Kensington and the effect of gentrification on the surrounding area.  The following selection of images highlights how the tragedy “awakened the London community to the issues surrounding social housing in the most violent way” and documents the resilience of local residents.      Hyphen is the leading media platform on Muslim life in the UK and Europe Sign up to our newsletter to receive our top stories straight to your inbox every week This form may not be visible due to adblockers © 2025 Hyphen® / Link Media Corporation Ltd the Council co-designed the grant-making process with a group of seven residents – the Resident Panel – each representing a different ward in North Kensington The co-design of the fund saw officers working hand-in-hand with the panel to shape the project from the ground up This meant that the Resident Panel had real responsibilities that were vital in the creation and allocation of the grants: By embedding the community's perspective at every stage the panel acted as a "critical friend" to the officers Their involvement ensured that the residents’ lived experience carried as much weight as professional knowledge Co-design is an excellent way of working collaboratively with our communities It gives residents the space to actively shape and improve local services fostering a sense of ownership and involvement who also serves as Secretary of State for Housing will be making a final decision on the future of the Grenfell Tower site next month The derelict 24-storey residential building in London’s North Kensington has been wrapped in protective sheeting subsequent to the tragic fire that occurred on 14 June 2017 In a statement directed to the Grenfell community Communities and Local Government notes: “The Government is responsible for Grenfell Tower and that decisions about the tower are personal to you as bereaved families survivors and residents in the immediate community Your views and concerns are an important part of the Government’s future decision-making.” Rayner has made a firm commitment that the Grenfell community will continue to be at the heart of the decision-making process the Deputy Prime Minister wishes to “set out a clear path ahead” with a view towards bringing transparency to the decision-making process to respect the different views shared and for these conversations to inform the approach” The news emerges three years after plans were unveiled by Robert Jenrick (former Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government) to demolish the building were shelved by successor Michael Gove in the wake of an outcry from bereaved families An international design competition to fashion a memorial honouring the victims of the tragedy was launched back in July last year with a winner due to be announced in the first half of 2025 The Government has set aside a site of circa 3,000 m2 for the memorial which includes the ground on which the tower block stands in North Kensington as well as adjacent land on either side the (then) Conservative Government outlined four key principles designed to guide a decision about what would happen to Grenfell Tower These principles continue to guide decisions the community-led Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission would develop a proposal for what happens to the Grenfell Tower site in the future and set out how the memorial site will be owned and managed in the longer term The Commission is not responsible for decisions about the tower The Government has confirmed that there will be no immediate changes to the site whatever the decision taken (including the possibility of the building being demolished) meaning there will be no changes to the site before the 8th Anniversary The Government began engaging with the Grenfell community about the tower Views that have previously been shared with politicians have been recorded and will inform the decision-making process Some of the themes mentioned to date (and often) include the following: with particular significance to those directly affected those lives lost and those lives that have been changed forever *The tower is a symbol of what the community has lost Its presence on the skyline helps to ensure the tragedy is not forgotten *Grenfell tower is a painful reminder of what happened and has an impact on those who live work and study nearby and see it regularly *The importance of creating a fitting memorial determined by the community that will last in perpetuity *The importance of justice: the site was a crime scene until 2018 and there’s a need for assurances that decisions on the future of the tower will not interfere with the path to justice The Government is being advised by a range of experts and independent structural engineers alongside regular inspections and visual floor-by-floor checks carried out by structural engineering specialists They have also independently undertaken structural assessments of Grenfell Tower and its condition *Engineers confirm the tower remains stable and it continues to be safe for people to live *Safety works were carried out to ensure the continued stability of the tower these works were extended to install props (‘Stage 3 propping’) from the basement to the fourth floor Props are now installed from the basement to the roof (ie the 24th floor) to ensure the ongoing stability of the structure *Engineers advise there have been no significant changes to the tower in the reporting period but the propping does not change the underlying condition of the structure which will “continue to worsen over time” as a result of the significant structural damage caused by the fire Conditions will continue to worsen the longer the building is left in place *Given the level of damage to the structure engineers advise that it’s not seen as practicable to remediate all or part of the damaged structure to bring it back into use The tower is especially damaged above the 10th floor *Engineers’ advice remains unchanged in that the building (or that part of it that was significantly damaged) should be carefully taken down The Government has remained in contact with the Metropolitan Police Service the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel and His Majesty’s Coroner to ensure that decisions about the Grenfell Tower site don’t interfere with their work The police released Grenfell Tower as a crime scene in August 2018 duly confirming at that time – as well as subsequently – that all of the required evidence has been recovered from Grenfell Tower The Government will write to the Metropolitan Police Service the CPS and His Majesty’s Coroner once again before any decision on the future of the tower is reached the Government has committed that elements from Grenfell Tower and the site can be retained for use as part of the aforementioned memorial if the Grenfell community wishes The development of design options (particularly so in tandem with input from bereaved families and survivors) continues The future art incubator hub at the 2200 block of North American Street will be designed with community input The space will total about 100,000 square feet plus an outdoor green space of roughly a quarter of an acre But the FAI doesn’t know what to do with it yet Executive director Adjoa Jones de Almeida said she has been fielding questions about what this proposed arts campus will become The intention is to come up with a development plan in collaboration with the community — both the immediate neighbors in Kensington and the greater creative community that FAI has been supporting through grants for the last three years After a neon mural of poetry by Kensington residents was completed the Kensington Healing Verse project continues to guide people into creative writing FAI partnered with the internationally recognized artist Theaster Gates to collaborate on the future use and design of the arts campus makes installation work that often addresses social issues and urban design He recently installed a set of reclaimed monument pillars on the campus of Drexel University at the invitation of Philadelphia Contemporary that spoke to the nature of public memorials Gates will develop strategies to engage with community members to come up with development and programming ideas “This collaboration with Adjoa — who also comes from an art and community engagement background — gives us both an opportunity to build on the lessons we’ve learned from our previous respective experiences,” Gates said in a statement “To develop a unique model for what a community-grounded globally relevant art space can look like.” Jones de Almeida only recently arrived in Philadelphia She left her position as deputy director of the Brooklyn Museum to lead Forman Arts “While I loved that experience [at Brooklyn Museum] and there’s so much that I learned there’s also a lot of baggage that comes with being a museum A lot of really heavy systemic baggage that makes it hard to innovate and to be imaginative around how you engage communities,” said Jones de Almeida whose background is in education and community organizing “This is an opportunity to collectively imagine,” she said “I don’t think it’s going to be a museum I don’t think it’s going to be a community center but it’s going to be something in the middle.” A major retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art shows how the Philly-raised impressionist focused on women’s work FAI co-founder Michael Forman said not knowing what the arts campus will be is the fun part “We want to make sure we get enough of the community engagement and understand what the communities are looking for,” Forman said We think there’ll be some music or hospitality piece We’re going to let that develop organically over time.” Our weekend newsletter will catch you up on the best local stories of the week “Petrykivka Garden” at Drexel’s Pearlstein Gallery was designed in a traditional folk art style of Ukraine More than 40 Philly artists contributed work to an exhibition at Big Ramp in Kensington honoring the pets of so-called “childless cat ladies.” The photography in “The Group for Mutual Improvement” shows a group of misfit Kensington neighbors building unlikely bonds WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. It’s how we live. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. The U.K. government on Friday announced plans to dismantle the remains of London’s Grenfell Tower almost eight years after the deadliest fire in Britain since World War II swept through the high-rise apartment building Some of those who lost loved ones in the fire that broke out in the early morning hours of June 14 have criticized the decision because they wanted to preserve the building’s charred skeleton as a monument to those who died But the government said that redeveloping the site would help the community heal by removing the remains of the 24-story building, which looms over the North Kensington neighborhood in west London, providing a constant reminder of the tragedy. “Grenfell Tower will be carefully taken down to the ground,″ the government said in a statement. A public inquiry into the disaster concluded that decades of failures by government, regulators and industry turned the building into a “death trap.” The investigation found no “single cause” of the tragedy, but said a combination of dishonest companies, weak regulation and complacent government authorities resulted in the building being remodeled with combustible exterior cladding that that allowed a small refrigerator fire to spread rapidly, trapping dozens of residents in their homes. Luana Gomes: ‘They didn’t get the chance to live and do the stuff they wanted’ News | London Child survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster spoke of their pain and feelings of guilt ahead of a final report into the deadly blaze seven years ago Eighteen children were among 72 people who perished in the high-rise block of flats in North Kensington More than 1,000 youngsters scarred by traumatic loss anxiety and PTSD have been treated for mental health issues since June 14 according to the NHS Health and Wellbeing Hub which was set up in the wake of the disaster Luana Gomes - who was 12 at the time - managed to escape the 21st floor with her pregnant mother and sister Ms Gomes lost neighbour and friend Mehdi El-Wahabi Now 19, she told Sky News: “I feel a bit guilty “When you think about your friends and family members and neighbours - I feel guilty that I’m here living and doing all this stuff and they didn't get the chance to live and do the stuff they wanted to at such a young age.” escaped after being taken down the smoke-filled stairs by his parents but five-year-old best friend Isaac Paulos died Abem said he wants the child victims to be remembered for their “bright dreams” adding: “One of them wanted to be a footballer In a message to politicians and developers, the now 12-year-old said: “They need to remove the cladding off of every UK building because that cladding is deadly “When it comes to fire, it can destroy houses within minutes, within hours, like it did to Grenfell The long-running inquiry’s second report, due to be published on Wednesday, will present findings on how the tower block came to be in a condition which allowed the flames to spread so quickly. The phase one report in October 2019 concluded Grenfell’s cladding did not comply with building regulations and was the “principal” reason for the rapid and “profoundly shocking” spread The Standard View: Grenfell tragedy must have consequences 'Jail the Grenfell culprits': Families call for manslaughter charges over blaze an intriguing new perfume from Penhaligon’s Chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick and his two panel members scrutinised the actions of corporate firms in the construction industry, the local authority, London Fire Brigade and the government whose 12-year-old niece Jessica Urbano Ramirez died in the fire said this final publication must be a “landmark report” Former tower resident and Grenfell United member Edward Daffarn said he hopes it will “highlight the institutionalised indifference that saw private companies put profit before people” he said he wants the report to see the actions of the government and private companies “fully exposed” is outraged by the way children and young people were treated after Grenfell They had full lives which were cut short.” Sky News’ Grenfell special is on Monday at 8pm Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Our Library Service has a jam-packed diary of events to celebrate International Games Week Find out more on Eventbrite International Games Week runs from 7 to 14 November 2024 The week aims to reconnect communities through their libraries using the educational Last year, our Library Service launched its Games Library on International Games Week hosting a range of events across all our libraries in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea Library members can borrow a variety of tabletop board games to play at home Games can be borrowed directly from Kensington Central and Pimlico libraries or reserved for collection at any branch free of charge Join us every second Thursday of the month for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat in the friendly atmosphere of the library Residents of the Longlands Estate in North Kensington are celebrating the official opening of their newly renovated playground offering safe and exciting new facilities and a space for the community to gather and play where contributions can be sought from developers towards the costs of providing community projects marks a significant upgrade from the old play area The new playground boasts a superior new range of KOMPAN playground equipment such as a tower set with a tumble and talk tunnel new swings and a pony seesaw chosen by residents who selected pieces that would provide a variety of creative play options for children of all ages The official opening took place on Monday 9 September with face painting and games to mark the occasion Thank you to everyone who came out to play and made it such a fun filled afternoon This renovation is part of the Council’s ongoing estate improvement and we’re eager to hear your ideas for further improvements residents hope election will bring decisive change for bereaved Grenfell residents have marked seven years since the disaster with renewed calls for justice and some expressing hope the election will bring decisive change for bereaved families and survivors In 2017 a fire ripped through the Grenfell Tower in west London are taking place across north Kensington to remember those who lost their lives laid flowers at a memorial site beneath the ruin of the tower on Friday the infected blood scandal and Covid-19 have called on the next prime minister to ensure recommendations that emerge from public inquiries are acted upon The seventh anniversary of the tragedy has coincided with the election campaign with polls predicting a Labour victory which would mark the end of 14 years of Conservative government North Kensington resident Wonder Ronda said it was a “great and sad time that elections are coming” “I hope people show how they feel about what has been happening with their votes You show by voting what you think about the politicians and their empty promises,” she said described the seventh anniversary as a “turning point” with the involvement of local youth in memorial services “particularly pertinent in the context of the general election” “They have now found a voice after years of not being heard,” she said “We hope that their message will be amplified and that their aspirations their desire to see change and justice for Grenfell will be put firmly on the agenda of the future government They want leadership that will deliver change they have been fighting for too many years.” whose 82-year-old father Ali Yawar Jafari died in the blaze said families were still “waiting for answers” it’s been seven years we’re standing for justice,” he said The Oscar-nominated director Misan Harriman visited the memorial wall on Friday and said he stood “in solidarity with a community that I love and that represents the very best of our country” “It’s really important we recognise the need for justice we are weeks away from an election,” he added laid flowers at the memorial wall and said she regularly reflects on the disaster When asked about the government’s response to the tragedy and whether Labour’s manifesto addresses those challenges like many things to do with this Tory government it has been mishandled … the Labour manifesto talks about righting the wrongs of many injustices including Grenfell and that’s the right thing to do as a government.” In 2019, the Grenfell Tower inquiry found the main cause of the rapid spread of the fire was the flammable cladding that was wrapped around the block will look at how the building came to be in that condition a 21-year-old student who lived opposite the tower and witnessed the blaze said it was important to attend memorial events to remember the lives that were lost “Most of us have come away from it with PTSD you feel the sadness in the air,” she said the leader of Kensington and Chelsea ccouncil said: “This council could and should have done more to keep our residents safe before the fire “We are committed to learning from the report and recommendations to ensure that a tragedy like Grenfell can never happen again.” Every time the bells go I pray it’s not a high-rise fire Because there’a a real chance it’s wrapped in flammable material Five years ago today we got the call to the fire that changed my life As we raced out of North Kensington fire station, we did not know the scale of the fire, and far less how big it would become We were going towards a part of my neighbourhood that I knew well and I desperately hoped that the people in that building would not be harmed I was the first firefighter into Grenfell Tower I witnessed the true horrors of that night and I continue to see them in my nightmares Five years on I look back at Grenfell with sadness and anger My mental health suffered immeasurably: I went through post-traumatic stress disorder But I believe what helped more than the many counselling sessions I had was the relationships I built with others who lived through it We are on a mission to ensure no one has to go through what the residents and wider community here went through and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice I had a connection with Grenfell long before I was a firefighter My old boxing club was at the bottom of the tower and as a teen I worked as a lifeguard in the Kensington sports centre next to it I also lived in nearby North Kensington for many years From the first day after the fire I made it my priority to do all I could to help rebuild my community Most importantly there was the firefighter guard of honour at three separate funerals and the guard of honour for the powerful silent walks we have in the community to remember those we lost I’m also extremely proud of the work I’ve done and continue to do with Kids on the Green a creative arts centre for families and individuals affected by Grenfell I will also always treasure my special relationship with the family of Jessica Urbano Ramirez a resident who I did everything I could to try to save that night The heartbreak of not being able to bring Jessica back to her family will stay with me for ever I still carry a little photo of her that her mum gave me at her funeral I’ve built friendships that will last a lifetime with the determined honourable people who showed so much courage and determination on that night it’s clear that the flaws in the government’s guidance were a huge contributor to the tragedy at Grenfell The fact of the matter is that the aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding used on Grenfell Tower was not explicitly banned, despite warnings of its danger – building regulations and government guidance were too weak and ambiguous to prevent its use. Now – five years on – the government has decided it actually does need a specific ban To me this suggests the previous guidance was not enough to stop buildings across the country being wrapped in highly flammable materials When it comes to building safety more broadly the government has failed to heed the wake-up call of Grenfell There is still no requirement for a second staircase in high rises No requirement to fit fire alarms in all high rises No national strategy on how to evacuate high rises It rowed back on ordering building owners and managers to design personal evacuation plans for all disabled people living in high rises using excuses including the cost to landlords Two fifths of the disabled residents living in Grenfell Tower died that night I – and every member of the Grenfell community I am sure – stand in solidarity with the disabled community as we continue this fight for change together I truly believed Grenfell would be a turning point in the future of fire safety and building regulations in this country every time the bells go down I pray it’s not a high-rise fire Because there’s a real chance it’s wrapped in flammable materials and its fire doors and door closures aren’t compliant a list of vulnerable residents is absent and there’s just one smoke-filled escape route This leaves me helpless to rescue all the desperate families screaming for help And I’m back in the nightmare of that night five years ago I stand with my community in the fight for justice I’m proud to have served at North Kensington as a firefighter for 22 years and to be a member of this beautiful community Dave Badillo is a firefighter at North Kensington fire station Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a letter of up to 300 words to be considered for publication, email it to us at guardian.letters@theguardian.com and the RHS are joining forces to celebrate the community gardens that are created each year to live on following the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with the launch of the inaugural RHS Community Chelsea garden; Life Under the Westway: Maxilla Gardens Spearheaded by Grow to Know and supported by the Mayor of London and the Westway Trust is launching in association with RHS Chelsea Flower Show new garden design is being built for one purpose: to unlock access to green space in the local community and will be opened to the community in early June the birthplace of Grow to Know – and just a stone’s throw away from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show showground in the same borough the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea the garden will create a much needed and valued space for the local community with the Westway Trust being involved throughout development as custodians of the land Grow to Know is transforming the existing Maxilla Gardens into a new revived and accessible space for local residents to visit and enjoy Inspired by the social effects of life under the Westway in 1970 the garden tells stories of the past and the present whilst also seeking solutions for continuous and current environmental and social challenges faced in the local area Innovative design creates an abundance of undulating meandering and swathing greenery for wildlife with repurposed materials used to create the pathways and features inspired by the industrial development of the past With the form of a helix threading through the space the interweaving pathways embed the DNA of the community within and through the garden further amplifying the rich history of life under the Westway key features include: a green installation ‘the helix’; bespoke furniture as well as a tapestry of planting contributed by Gucci living on in the community from the set of its Gucci Cruise 2025 Fashion Show held at Tate Modern The garden is at the crux of community development – poised as the front garden of Dale Youth Boxing Club Bay20 Community Centre and the incoming Maxilla City The design and delivery team is comprised of Grow to Know Funding from the Mayor of London’s Future Neighbourhoods programme By: 8:00 am on December 27 Philly YIMBY’s recent site visit confirmed the completion of construction at a six-story, 45-unit residential building at 1805 North Howard Street in Fishtown, Kensington Located on a mid-block site between West Montgomery Avenue and West Berks Street a short block west of the Berks Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line the project features artist studios on the ground floor as well as parking for 14 cars and 15 bicycles The 9,580-square-foot site previously housed a two-story red-brick commercial/industrial structure with glass block windows Although the structure exuded a certain grungy charm endemic to the area and was arguably worthy of incorporation into the new development (as early renderings showed at one point although they also called for heavy modifications to the facade) it ultimately posed no great loss for the local built stock The structure was torn down around late 2019 or early 2020 we welcome this dense and visually distinctive addition to the booming district Those bricks are so red they’re orange Orinoka Mills readies itself for a positive return to serving the community | Photo: Michael Bixler “Transformative” is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days during this era of accelerated redevelopment and those still in the rendering stages on North Broad Pockets of dead space reactivated with bike paths and green parkettes are praised for reframing how we think about energetic design and public space Many of these projects are worthy of such acclaim as they cumulatively impact our growing appetite for a rewritable urban landscape and push us closer to becoming a progressive But transforming the everyday lives of people trapped by poverty How do you alter the course of a neighborhood besieged indefinitely by social and economic crisis That is what the New Kensington Community Development Corporation aims to do with an affordable housing project and neighborhood residents broke ground yesterday on the estimated $16.2 million project The general mood around Kensington and Somerset isn’t what it used to be Packs of wheelie-popping children now wind down the streets on their bikes with a little less caution Neighbors linger on sidewalks to chat without hesitation Strangers are greeted with equal parts enthusiasm and curiosity and the area’s signature burden of drug use and prostitution is slowly beginning to recede A shift is taking place that is readily apparent to those who happen to be passing through The welcoming committee | Photo: Michael Bixler became a hive of intravenous drug use activity and was likely the biggest shooting gallery in the city In the book The Possible City (Camino Press Hidden City co-editor Nathaniel Popkin describes the long shadow cast by deindustrialization north of Lehigh Avenue and the lingering effects of the closing of the textile mill “Living In Ruins”: “A photograph taken of the neighborhood from the EL tracks once would have shown dozens of mills Though many a good mill has been demolished This may be why there are quite possibly more addicts in Kensington than anywhere else in the city…They are themselves a kind of ruins The weight of the addict-overrun property and the hopelessness it brought to an area being strangled by drugs and violent crime has covered the intersection of Somerset and Ruth like a pall until recently “The residents were held hostage,” says Sandy Salzman executive director of the New Kensington Community Development Corporation “It wasn’t a place you wanted to be.” Orinoka Civic House will feature a mix of 51 residential units and the new headquarters of NKCDC | Rendering courtesy of NKCDC and Jibe Design In 2011, the City purchased the mill at a sheriff sale on behalf of the NKCDC, part of the organization’s North of Lehigh Neighborhood Revitalization Plan that aims at community reinvestment and development in North Kensington similar to their work in Fishtown and East Kensington over the last three decades Resuscitating Orinoka’s decaying mill for 51 apartment units for local residents who earn between $14,000 to $33,000 per year or 20 percent and 60 percent of the Area Median Income Moving NKCDC’s headquarters from Frankford Avenue in Fishtown into Orinoka Civic House is the foundation “We had been looking at the mill since 2007 It’s the biggest building in the area and people understand how important it is for its history and as a symbol of change,” says Salzman Jibe Design designed the building renovation and the Orinoka Civic House campus It will open in spring of 2017 as the result of six different plans that were all developed from data collected from neighbors Salzman says that area residents have been as instrumental to the realization of the project as the planning and financial partners involved “We have been dogged because we recognized that nothing was going to happen here without doing it at this building,” said Sandy Salzman at the groundbreaking of Orinoka Civic House on Tuesday | Photo: Michael Bixler “When we first went up there working on the first plan with the Community Design Collaborative the neighbors were fairly hostile,” said Salzman “They were used to people coming into the neighborhood ‘How would this be different?’ The groundwork we have made in the last few years with encouraging residents to take back their community has really turned things around and they really want this,” she said The creation of Somerset Neighbors for Better Living civic association has also been crucial to a centralized source of community empowerment The success of organizing blighted lot cleanups has changed the face of the area and endued a renewed personal investment in the neighborhood for residents A dramatic increase in police presence and SEPTA’s willingness to have officers come down from the El to patrol the area has had a significant impact deterring drug activities that still persist Salzman said that after Conrail fenced off the Lehigh Viaduct illicit behaviors and crime around the rail line has begun to decline as well Orinoka Mills outlives its industrial colleagues Washington Mills and Buck Hosiery both of which burned down in 2010 and 2012 due to absentee owners and dereliction | Photo: Michael Bixler As construction continues on the Civic House the NKCDC will begin focusing on the underpasses that create a spatial disconnection between North Kensington and other efforts to create a visual thoroughfare will make crossing Lehigh less ominous aid in bridging the physical gap between the neighborhoods “We want all of the neighborhoods to unite and work together but we’re not trying to change their identity into something that it isn’t with our work north of Lehigh,” says Salzman Thank you Michael for this wonderfully informative article It is good to see this fine old neighborhood come back Opening 51 apartments to locals who make $15,000 – $30,000 a year is not going to do a whole lot for the area except move them into nicer apartments which are subsidized by the same high taxes that makes businesses (such as the mills) leave the city or die Who are the shareholders of NKCDC and do they individually own any properties near the project which will benefit from it Are the contractors related to NKCDC board members and the rent roll can’t be much more than $50k a month for 50 low income apartments how is that possible and who is subsidizing the tenants each apartment will cost around $350k to build Are they awarded by lottery or to the politically connected If the rents of the tenants are subsidized why isn’t everyone else’s rent subsidized I want a new $350k rehabbed apartment for $700 per month A new building is not going to change crime and drug habits It will simply push the problem one direction or another to a nearby area of Philadelphia just as I witnessed happen in lower Kensington (which everyone now thinks is Fishtown) I am impressed and amazed that this building is actually being renovated I thought it would meet the wrecking ball like the older (better) half of the factory that was demolished so many years ago My last memory of this place was taking a tour guided by a “resident” of the building where I saw everything from old shuttles from its days as a mill I think in the end this will be good for the neighborhood but will not be some amazing remedy for the rampant drug and poverty problem Like others have said it will shift to another area but I think overtime prosperity will find its way up here as gentrification spreads north from lower Kensington I think in the end the city will find itself with less crime and drug issues than it has now and certainly less than it did 25 years ago My Grandfather Raymond Haigh worked there managing the mill in the early 1900s and then moved to York Pa when the operation moved to York.I still have my grand parents couch and great grand parents parlor chair in my home Both reupolstered by my grandfather using Orinoka Mills fabric back in the 1930s and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. By: 8:00 am on August 14 the structure will span 101,020 square feet feature a roof deck Permits specify construction costs at $8.35 million Our site visit found the property cleared and the lot fenced in yet construction does not appear to have started yet We hope to see a proximate acceleration of development at the site considering the improvement it will constitute for the neighborhood’s urban fabric The York-Dauphin Station on the Market-Frankford Line is situated seven short blocks to the southeast They have the wires draped and the fence up Kensington Metropark offers 4,481 acres of wooded hilly terrain surrounding beautiful Kent Lake and is home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfowl Come enjoy a multitude of recreation opportunities throughout the year from biking and boating to cross-country skiing and ice fishing Take a swim at one of our beaches; get soaked at the Splash ‘n’ Blast; or just spend the day fishing Take a tour aboard the Island Queen; hit the tees for a round of golf; or spin through a game of disc golf HOW ACCESSIBLE ARE YOUR METROPARKS? We want your input on what accessible features are most important to you. Click here to learn more and take the survey. we now have three different types of adaptive paddling equipment available Click here to learn more about each type of adaptive equipment The Debug All-Terrain Wheelchair is designed to safely provide wheelchair users or those who would have a harder time walking on the beach with transportation across areas where a conventional wheelchair becomes less manageable such as sandy or rocky beaches This wheelchair is not to be used in water It comes with an attachable umbrella and cup holder Kensington Metropark has one All-Terrain Beech Wheelchair available to rent for free allowing visitors the ability to enjoy the sand at Martindale Beach The chair is available to rent during summer from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day a companion or attendant is required as Metroparks staff will not be able to assist with transfers or pushing the wheelchair on the beach Before use or rental, please view the video DeBug All-Terrain Beach Wheelchair Demonstration Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ilssiusHk Chair rentals are made online up to one week before and no less than the day before You can also call the Metropark Park office for help with your reservation at 810.227.8910 Funded by a grant from National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) Maple Beach has family changing rooms available in the recently constructed restroom building Mats placed on the sand provide beach access An adjacent playground was designed using universal design principals Martindale Beach has family changing rooms and outdoor shower facilities available A mat provides access across the sand for beach access Accessible tables are located at the plaza near the concession area and restroom facilities West Boat Launch area has an accessible floating dock accessible walkways and an accessible vault latrine restroom Paved walkways from the parking lot provide access to most the Farm Center facilities except for the Living History Village and Sugar Bush areas An elevator is available in the Main Barn to navigate between floors Click here to view all accessibility features at the Farm Center. The Debug EZ Roller Floating Surf Wheelchair allows visitors to enjoy dipping your toes in the sand and feeling the spray of the surf This wheelchair is a breeze to move across the sand directly into the water It comes with an attachable umbrella and cup holders Kensington Metropark has one Floating Beech Wheelchair available to rent for free allowing visitors the ability to enjoy the sand and water at Martindale Beach a companion or attendant is required as Metroparks staff will not be able to assist with transfers or pushing the wheelchair on the beach or in the water Before use or rental, please view the video DeBug EZ Roller Floating Surf Wheelchair Demonstration Video at https://youtu.be/V0vcWhLT1SI Reservations can be made by calling the course The GRIT Freedom Chair is a manual all-terrain wheelchair built to explore the outdoors It is a mix between a manual wheelchair and a mountain bike allowing users to explore almost any trail One GRIT Freedom Chair is available for rent at the Kensington Metropark Nature Center allowing users to explore the Kensington nature trails The chair is available to rent for FREE Tuesday through Sunday each week between May 1 and October 31 a companion or attendant is suggested as Metroparks staff will not be able to assist with transfers The Freedom Chair has a seat width of 20″ and a comfort cushion and a MIT-designed and patented lever system with a pull-back brake system Before use, please view the video Riding the GRIT Freedom Chair: Basic Tips and Tricks at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlOqf7cVjMw. Chair rentals are made online up to one week before and no less than the day before. Click here to reserve the GRIT All-Terrain Freedom Wheelchair! The paved Hike-Bike Trail is almost 12 miles An 8.5-mile loop takes you around Kent Lake and has several steep hills The steepest hill is located near the Playfield Picnic Area A trailhead kiosks located near the West Boat Launch parking lot and Upper East Boat Launch parking lots are set in concrete pads enabling greater access to park and trail information The associated bicycle repair stations can double as wheelchair repair stations but must be on a 6-foot leash at all times The Nature Center has push button door access and a variety of accessible exhibits inside an accessible viewing scope can be found at Kingfisher Lagoon Overlook the Amphitheater is an accessible outdoor learning space for Nature Center programs Click here to view all accessibility features of the Nature Center. Trails vary in length from half a mile to two miles and can be combined for an even longer walk unpaved gravel paths with wooden bridges and boardwalks Portions of Chickadee and Wildwing Trails are steep Occasionally woodland trails may be blocked with debris such as fallen tree limbs Nature trails are not cleared or salted in the winter and may be snow-covered We’re adding new accessible picnic tables and grills to several picnic shelters throughout the park system Work continues on installation of new concrete grill pads and securing picnic tables in arrangements that allow for unobstructed movement around them Picnic shelter rental information will be updated on our website as changes are made the newly construction playground was designed using universal design principals and contains a ramped playground structure surrounded by a variety of other features designed for inclusivity The playground has play features for kids ages 2-5 and 5-12 Playground features include sensory-friendly equipment Suggested parking is the van accessible parking spaces and utilizing the accessible walkways on the side this playground has play features for kids ages 2-5 to 5-12 Playground features include climbing structures Equipment is on engineered wood fiber (wood mulch) safety surfacing Located near the West Boat Launch Picnic Area as well as a small climbing structure with slides A paved walkway provides access to the Splash ‘n’ Blast All ground spray features and water cannons are accessible and located on a poured-in-place rubber surfacing Accessible picnic tables are located within the facility Family changing rooms and outdoor showers are available outside the fenced in Splash ‘n’ Blast Your Huron-Clinton Metroparks offer hundreds of events and program all year long Volleyball courts are located throughout the park at Playfield picnic area Spring Hill picnic area and Hickory Ridge picnic area Children and adults alike enjoy a hay or sleigh ride Your wagon rides take you on a tour of the woods and fields around the Farm Center Click here to explore pricing, hours and more. CLOSED – Ice skating will be closed for the 2025 season Bring out your ice skates and glide onto the small rink at the Orchard Picnic area It is located next to the picnic shelter with a small walkway mat from the shelter to the rink Cross-country ski equipment rentals are available at the Ski Center, located at the Golf Course Starter Building. Never cross-country skied before? That’s ok! Here are some things to know before you go and some tips to get you started on your own adventure. Click here to watch video please call the Ski Center for more information and to reserve 810-227-8910 Equipment rentals must be reserved online. Reservations can be made no more than 5 days in advance. Limited reservations available. No refunds. Please arrive on time for your reservation. Late arrivals may not be accommodated. Click here to rent ski equipment. If you’re having difficulty with our online rental process, click here for a quick reference guide on how to rent ski equipment online. Enjoy a game of baseball or softball at one of our fields located at Playfield picnic area Take a dip at either Maple Beach or Martindale Beach on a hot day These two beaches are the ideal settings for a day of fun and sunshine in the great outdoors At Martindale Beach there is an All-Terrain Beach Wheelchair (on land) and a Floating Beach Wheelchair (in water) available to rent for free. Click here to learn more about the wheelchairs and make an online reservation. Life jackets are encouraged to increase water safety Children and adult life jackets are available on a first come first served basis at our life jacket stations at Maple and Martindale Beaches Please return your borrowed life jacket when you are done using it so others can safely An 8.5 mile paved Hike-Bike Trail traverses the picturesque landscapes that circle Kent Lake A 3.4-mile trail extends north from the loop Kensington Metropark and Island Lake State Recreation Area is connected via a paved connector going underneath I-96 Steer your mountain bike down 2 miles of unpaved trail Trail begins at the north park entrance and ends at Proud Lake State Recreation Area Enjoy a day exploring Kent Lake’s waters and shorelines by watercraft paddleboats and character pedal boats are available for rent near Maple Beach at the Boat Rental Last rental occurs one hour before closing All school and camp groups wishing to rent boats must make prior arrangements with the Kensington Metropark Office. A Metropark release and waiver from liability form must be completed in advance by the parent or guardian of each child. There must also be an appropriate adult-to-child ratio. For details and to make reservations, please call (810) 227-8910. Maximum six-horsepower motor allowed on a 12’ rowboat Maximum 10-horsepower motor allowed on a 14’ rowboat The Heavner Nature Connection offers unique outdoor educational and recreational programs for everyone Heavner Nature Connection has a unique wilderness experience for you For more information on current programs or building a program call (248) 685-2379 With 8 boat ramps at East Boat Launch and 8 boat ramps at West Boat Launch you will get on the water easily and quickly for a day of fun remember is it 5mp speed limit near docks and beaches. A valid Metroparks daily or annual boat pass, in addition to your vehicle pass, is required. If your boat (canoe, kayak or rowboat) is transported into the park inside or on top of your vehicle, you do not have to purchase a Boat Pass. Annual Boat Passes can be purchased at any Metropark toll booth or online.  Click here to purchase your pass online.   Boats are not permitted on Wildwing Lake or Kingfisher Lagoon Click here to view the Boating & Fishing Guide. We have a partnership with American Sailing Institute who work to provide an enjoyable, safe, hands-on educational environment while teaching the tradition of sailing. They offer sailing classes on 18-foot Interlake Sailboats at Kensington Metropark. Click here to visit their website for more information on becoming a member and learning to sail. Kensington Metropark boasts a 380-acre rustic group camp area Properly sponsored and supervised youth groups may use the campsites year-round for daily outings and overnight stays A permit is required. No alcoholic beverages permitted in the area. Swimming is permitted only at park beaches on Kent Lake. Full details are available by contacting the Kensington Metropark Office at (810) 227-8910 You may bring in your own firewood or purchase firewood from the Kensington Metropark Office during office hours To help stop the spread of forest pests and diseases we strongly encourage campers to purchase campfire wood at the park Kensington Metropark canoe group camp is the perfect place to stop for an overnight paddling excursion. Advance reservation is required. For more information and to reserve, contact the Kensington Metropark Office at (810) 227-8910  Explore the islands and tributaries that wind through Kensington Metropark on beautiful Kent Lake Paddle from shore to shore or take a tranquil trip along the Huron River to see wildlife and waterfowl kayaks and paddle boards are available to rent at Boat Rental Kensington Metropark canoe group camp is the perfect place to stop for an overnight paddling excursion.  Advance reservation is required. For more information and to reserve, contact the Kensington Metropark Office at (810) 227-8910 Click here to view the Boating & Fishing Guide. Click here for winter closures, conditions and grooming updates. Grab your skis and glide across more than 12 miles of groomed trails at Kensington Metropark frozen ponds and beautiful deciduous forest Beginner and intermediate level trails traverse the park and golf course Skiing is prohibited in the following areas: Nature Center Area and Nature Trails snowboarding hills and on golf course greens Two competitive disc golf courses are located at Kensington Metropark Spin on by and try your hand at one or both Challenge yourself on the Black Locust disc golf course named for the Black Locust trees found near Martindale Beach Enjoy two 18-hole courses that feature fairways lined with rolling meadows and thick woods also features a basket in a tree stump for added fun The Black Locust disc golf course is located off a gravel lot across from the Martindale Beach parking lot The course is open year-round during park hours and is not lit at night The Toboggan Course is located across the road from the Maple Beach parking lot and has been thrilling players and fans for decades Originally a temporary course for the 2000 Worlds it has been the official course of the U.S Amateur Disc Golf Championship since 2002 and has been the site of the Great Lakes Open on the Disc Golf Pro Tour since 2018 The baskets are only in the ground for a short time each year this champion-level par 63 course has a mix of large elevation changes and tight fairways that will test every shot in your bag Bring a spotter because it has long holes and punishing rough Annual Bag Tags and Daily Wristbands are available for purchase at the Kensington Metropark Office and the disc golf booth at the Black Locust course Annual Bag Tags are valid for the disc golf courses at Hudson Mills Meet farm animals and get a glimpse of rural life at the Kensington Metropark Farm Center smells and sounds of life on the farm as you interact with live farm animals like chickens Seasonal public programming is available year-round sheep shearing and a you-pick pumpkin patch Our Farm Center is home to a host of historic and educational experiences like the Kensington Living History Village Take a weekend hayride (or sleigh ride) through scenic farm and forest land along the Huron River Private charters and bonfire rentals are also available scout or community groups can experience the farm with customizable on-site programs Click here to learn more about the Farm Center.  Kensington Metropark is a popular fishing location in Southeast Michigan Kent Lake presents plenty of opportunities to cast your line on the shore or from a boat black crappie and yellow perch are all here waiting for you Fishing is not permitted on Kingfisher Lagoon or Wildwing Lake Bundle up and enjoy a few hours ice-fishing on Kent Lake at Kensington Metropark Popular access points to Kent Lake include the West Boat Launch and Turtlehead picnic area yellow perch and the occasional northern pike Fishing is prohibited in ice skating areas Shanties must be registered (no charge) with the Kensington Metropark Office if they are to be left overnight Shanties must also comply with all Michigan regulations and are to be removed before the ice becomes unsafe or by March 1st A valid Michigan Fishing License or Sportsperson’s License is required for all anglers age 17 and up Click here to view the Eat Safe Fish Guides from MDHHS. Kensington Metropark’s sprawling 6,624 yard par 71 course is one of seven regulation Metroparks golf courses The Kensington Metropark course boasts varied terrain Open fairways and fast greens allow both novice and experienced golfers the opportunity to challenge and improve their games Senior rates are available for guests age 55 and older Junior rates are available for guests age 20 and younger Tee times can be made up to 14 days in advance An accessible golf cart is available for use at each golf course please call 24 hours in advance to reserve Click here to learn more or to book a tee time.  An 8.5-mile paved hike-bike trail traverses the picturesque landscapes circling Kent Lake Kensington Metropark and Island Lake State Recreation Area are connected via a paved connector underneath I-96 The Adult Fitness Trail follows the Kensington Hike-Bike Trail beginning on the north side of the East Boat Launch upper parking lot with ten fitness stations including those designed for accessible and assisted use Fitness stations include equipment to boost aerobic/cardio Users can share their experience by utilizing the QR Code shown on the fitness trail sign at the Trailhead location Discover rewarding scenic vistas and overlooks throughout the nature center trail area Know before you go: Occasionally woodland trails may be blocked with debris such as fallen tree limbs Nature trails are not cleared or salted in the winter and may be snow-covered bicycles and running are not permitted on the nature trails A rustic trail loop is located near the Spring Hill picnic area Pets on a six-foot leash and running are permitted on the rustic trail Bring your horse to ride along 19-miles of marked equestrian trails open fields and scenic views of the Huron River and Kent Lake as you observe wildlife and waterfowl along the path Various terrain accommodates all skill levels A staging area is located off Dawson Road on Martindale Road A release waiver and bridle tag is required, call the Kensington Metropark Office at (810) 227-8910 for details Dogs and biking are not permitted on the trails Enjoy a leisurely cruise on Kent Lake aboard the Island Queen III You’ll be charmed by nature’s sights and sounds as you tour the lake on this 46-passenger pontoon boat  Capture panoramic vistas as the boat meanders around the lake and hear stories about the history of Kensington Metropark mallard ducks and cormorants and even an occasional osprey The Island Queen III is located at Boat Rental Special rates apply for seniors and children 12 and under There are 93 slips available for rent each season Slips are located in three separate areas; East Boat Launch (no pontoon boats) Mitten Bay  (pontoons only) and Boat Rental Boats must be removed on or before this date so that the water level can be lowered to the winter level Metropark vehicle and boat passes are required all year to 10 p.m.; renters must be off the lake and out of the park by 10 p.m Kensington Metropark has a limited number of slips available on Kent Lake Interested boaters must enter the online Boat Slip Lottery The annual slip rental for seasonal dockage at Kensington Metropark for the 2025 season will begin with a virtual lottery online with registration beginning Saturday Those wishing to participate in the drawing can sign up at no cost to be eligible for this drawing Signing up for this lottery does NOT guarantee a slip for the 2025 season 2025 with winners being contacted starting at 8 a.m Please make sure you are available this day by phone to ensure selection goes smoothly There are links below to view maps of the dockage areas within the park as well as rules which stipulate the Rules and Regulations each slip renter is responsible for adhering to It is your responsibility to be familiar with each of the three slip rental areas as to their specific location placement of the slips and the mooring options available for your boat You should familiarize yourself with each area in advance of the rental lottery Kensington staff will be contacting lottery winners in order so please be prepared to make your decision in a timely manner you will not have an opportunity to return the slip for another Click here to view the 2025 Boat Slip Information To determine the size slip which you require measure your boat at the widest point between the sides Take this measurement and add four-to-six inches to the beam measurement to determine what class of boat slip you will require Please bear in mind that you must provide adequate slip protection for your boat be able to navigate in and out of the slip This measurement is critical; miscalculation could put your boat in an undersized category which will require its removal from the slip If you have questions about Boat Slip Rentals or the Boat Slip Lottery, please call the Kensington Metropark Office at  (810) 227-8910 Get in touch with the world around you at the Nature Center Find educational exhibits and live animal displays to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the ecosystems Explore seven miles of nature trails around the Nature Center scout or community groups can experience the nature center with customizable on-site programs Click here to learn more about the Nature Center Kensington Metropark provides the perfect setting for your next picnic Picnic with friends or family amidst rolling hills tree-lined lawns and beautiful vistas of Kent Lake birthdays and any other way your family gets together – make your event more eventful with the Metroparks We have picnic shelters available at Kensington Metropark for all your event and gathering needs They come in a wide range of sizes and locations within the parks Some are conveniently located near park amenities like beaches playgrounds and sports fields to add even more fun to your event – while others are more secluded for a more intimate event Our locations allow you to bring your own food or catering Save some money – we’re offering weekday rentals at half price Prices are already reflected online in our online booking tool Click here to explore and reserve picnic shelters.  swing and slide your way into a day of fun on our playgrounds  Playgrounds are available in the following areas: Martindale Beach Many of the other picnic shelter areas have a swing set and slide The new playground at Maple Beach is an accessible playground built using universal design principles These trailhead kiosks are set in concrete pads enabling greater access to park and trail information Take advantage of a snowy day as you race down the hills we even offer a “bunny hill” lined with padded trees The sledding hills and beginner snowboarding hills are located at Orchard picnic area This area offers a nearby picnic shelter with tables and grills Open when weather and hill/run conditions permit. Click here to check for hill conditions, or call the Kensington Metropark Office at  (810) 227-8910 Whoosh through the snow and practice your fundamentals at our snowboarding area You’ll find a designated snowboarding hill near the Orchard picnic area A nearby picnic shelter has tables and grills summer sun and loads of fun for the entire family at our Splash ’n’ Blast 240-foot twisted water slides or romp through the spray ground with palm trees Waterslide riders must be 42” tall or taller Private rental of the Splash ‘n’ Blast is available from 10 am to 11 am Monday to Friday.  The cost is $200 per hour for groups of 75 people or less, payment is due at the time of reservation.  An additional fee of $4 per person is charged for 76 people or more: maximum capacity of 500 people.  Reservations for private rentals are made through the Park Office 810-227-8910 A minimum of 10 days notice is required for rental of the Splash ‘n’ Blast The Splash ‘n’ Blast will not be available for private rental on Memorial Day Movies in the Park to meeting the Dairy cows – Explore the calendar to find and register for upcoming events and programs           Free English conversation sessions ideal for those who want to improve their English Book on EventBrite Join us for free English conversation sessions at North Kensington Library The sessions are ideal for those who want to gain additional skills in English and improve their confidence in speaking Have a cup of tea or coffee and learn while you chat to others in the friendly library setting you can join the library to borrow books and audiobooks w to help you along We look forward to seeing you at the library please cancel your booking to allow others to attend By: 7:00 am on December 30 Permits have been issued for the constriction of a mixed-use building at 1640-48 North Hancock Street in Olde Kensington. Designed by HDO Architecture the development will rise six stories tall with commercial space on the ground floor and 110 apartments on the floors above the structure will hold 119,155 square feet of interior space A garage will be included within the building Construction costs are listed at $10.5 million The new building will feature an attractive exterior primarily clad in blue metal paneling with rows of black cladding-separated windows arranged in an alternating pattern Gray brick will be located along the ground floor so as to allow the building to meet the street nicely and floor to ceiling windows will be located here along the commercial spaces and residential entrance The building’s shape allows for a small courtyard to be created to allow for interior-facing residential units creating a high degree of density as well as a small green space and common area The building will replace perhaps one of the most intriguing uses of property in the neighborhood the site at hand is occupied by a horse stable The stable is a neighborhood landmark and is certainly very unique given its location in an urban environment the new development definitely feels more practical at the site given its prime The development and its high density will continue to bring residents to the rapidly densifying area. A visit to YIMBY’s neighborhood page shows an impressive array of mixed-use developments planned or under construction which will transform the neighborhood by adding thousands of residential units The commercial space at the ground floor at 1640-48 North Hancock Street will boost the growth of the neighborhood’s commercial offerings while the new residents will help support existing businesses in the area No completion date is known for the project at this time but YIMBY will continue to monitor progress By: 7:00 am on July 30 By: 8:00 am on December 25 According to documents submitted to the planning department, the nearly-complete structure stands 53 and a half feet tall, just below the 55-foot height limit at the site. Although the structure will tower over its neighbors, it will make for a fantastic fit for the mixed residential-industrial district with a plain yet refined Neo-Industrial exterior loft-style paneled windows will punctuate a red brick exterior which will rise to a low gambrel-shaped parapet the building will feature classic elements of turn-of-the-century industrial architecture namely the house number and address prominently displayed at the top of the street-facing facade Renderings show the ground-level retail space as occupied by “Palethorp Roaster,” though it remains unclear whether this is a placeholder or the name of the actual future tenant The rear portion of the ground floor will house a two-bedroom apartment that will open onto a spacious private rear yard The upper floors will include balconies at the building rear Credit: Ambit Architecture via the City of Philadelphia The surrounding area is experiencing a construction boom which includes a group of mid-rise residential buildings recently constructed across the street from the future Wagon House an apartment complex housed within a renovated high-rise factory loft building we expect to hear more development news from the neighborhood in the near future It’s not a bad looking building with the exception of the siding which looks cheap like it does in every other building that’s using it how much does it cost to brick a visible side of a building The siding on these projects is almost ruining them entirely but I’m assuming the developer used siding because the adjacent properties may be redeveloped at some point By: 9:03 am on November 20 A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has discovered that construction work is nearing completion at a five-story, 63-unit mixed-use development at 2315 North Front Street in East Kensington. Designed by HDO Architecture the building spans 59,172 square feet and features ground-floor commercial space Permits list Knight Rider Construction as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $6 million 2315 North Front Street is situated on the east side of the block between Jasper and East York streets right across from the Berks Station on the Market-Frankford elevated line The development replaces a series of budget stores situated within an ensemble of two-story prewar rowhouses which were shuttered around 2015 and demolished around 2016 the rowhouses were rather attractive (as well as appropriate in scale in relation to the commercial corridor) the buildings suffered from years of alterations Although we wish the structures’ facades were restored and incorporated into the new development their demolition for the new project is quite justified Dark gray brick delineates clear dimensional hierarchies with horizontal stacked bond spanning protruding vertical piers and vertical stacked bond composing slightly recessed spandrels Floor-to-ceiling windows are encased in black metal frames that match the brick Although the installation of the still-missing sections of the facade will determine its ultimate quality we are quite satisfied with the result so far which currently appears more attractive than the renderings 2315 North Front Street is a significant improvement for the site as it contributes a large volume of new housing stock and energizes the street with brand new retail space If we were to raise any issue with the development it would be that it is not large enough for a lot that sits directly across from a train station In order to satisfy the city’s demand for new housing and to maximize the use of mass transit we urge the planning department to significantly upzone transit-adjacent blocks throughout the city Has the Bromley building been restored as it is close to the EL and if left abandoned can be a fire hazard This is across from the York-Dauphin station “2315 North Front Street is a significant improvement for the site as it contributes a large volume of new housing stock and energizes the street with brand new retail space” It may not have been what many would consider appealing Are the units affordable or are we going to be putting more people looking for new construction for less rent but what was the consensus of the neighbors before this was built Did their city council person fight hard enough so that it benefits them Ian Payne is Leading Britain's Conversation Police have launched an investigation after a 70-year-old woman was found dead in unexplained circumstances at home in west London Rita Fleming was discovered at home in Golborne Road in north Kensington at about 9.45 in the morning on June 23 Police are treating her death as unexpected and unexplained - and are investigating the circumstances Ms Fleming's next of kin have been informed said: “My team continues to work to establish the events that led to Rita’s death Read more: Jay Slater might not be ‘missing’ and police need to keep investigating - after search called off Read more: Boy, 13, holding replica handgun shot dead by New York police, authorities say "This includes trying to build as comprehensive a picture as possible about her movements in the days prior to her being found "I would ask anyone who saw or heard from Rita from the 20th to 23rd of June or anyone who has information they think could be relevant to this investigation to get in contact with police immediately." Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote 01/505534/24 See more More Latest News See more Latest News See more The News Explained See more Royals See more Highlights & Opinion See more More Topics By: 8:00 am on January 10 rises 70 feet tall to the main roof and 84 feet to the top of the elevator bulkhead The development will feature commercial space on the ground floor Permits list Bohler Engineering as a designer and City Center Construction Corp The construction cost is specified at $10 million the development boasts a highly attractive industrial loft design with dark gray brick cladding and large paneled windows Even the incongruous white-painted sections at the courtyards and the rear do not overtly clash with the rest of the aesthetic when we found the exterior shell largely complete and ready for facade installation with significant construction evident only at the ground floor we expect the development to be completed by the end of the year or the start of 2023 The Berks Station on the Market-Frankford Line sits within an eight-minute walk to the northeast; Fishtown’s central commercial district is located within a ten-minute walk to the southeast; and the Temple University campus is situated within a 15-minute walk to the west for the warehouse-inspired (using “inspired” generously here) How many units does this development entail By: 7:30 am on January 21 Renderings have been revealed for a 60-unit mixed-use development at 2213-33 North Front Street in East Kensington. Designed by Cadre Design the new building will stand seven stories tall The new building will feature a modern design that will look great at the site once completed The majority of the front-facing exterior will be clad in tan brick with certain rectangular portions featuring gray brick that will add texture to the facade All units on the Front Street side of the building will include balconies Floor-to-ceiling windows at the ground floor will create a pleasant street presence The rest of the building will be clad in gray siding likely in order to lower construction costs Current view of 2213-33 North front Street The new building will replace a vacant lot one of just a few still remaining on the North Front Street corridor and the structures formerly standing at the location were demolished during a period of the area’s decline in the postwar era with more development making its way into the neighborhood and sites in prominent locations such as the one at 2213-33 North Front Street being filled in with dense new construction The new building will be a great improvement for the site adding density and commercial space that is incredibly important along major arteries such as Front Street The lack of parking is not concerning given the neighborhood’s walkability as well as its presence along the Market-Frankford Line The added commercial space will further boost Front Street’s commercial stock while the new residential density will help support businesses in the surrounding area and poise the neighborhood for further growth moving forward No construction permits have been issued yet and no completion date is known for the project at this time though construction may be finished by 2023 It’s a by right going to CDR February 2022 By: 7:30 am on November 24 Renderings have been revealed for a 112-unit mixed-use development proposed at 1300 North Howard Street in Olde Kensington the building will stand five stories tall and feature commercial space will be located in the ground floor as well as 47 parking spaces for building residents (with two being ADA accessible and three more for electric vehicles) The new building will feature an industrial-modern design that is incredibly popular in new development throughout the city Brickwork will cover the majority of the façade rising the full five-floor height in multiple locations Gray cladding will cover the rest of the building’s façade providing a modern contrast as if it is an addition to a pre-existing industrial building a form of development very common in the neighborhood The use of gray stone arranged in a triangle-like formation atop the ground floor forms what appears as if it belongs on an industrial building making the portion above appear as if it were built atop an original structure Large industrial windows help round off design and the full-height windows the ground floor paired with 18 planned street trees will make for a great street presence the sprawling building made for a solid use of the space with local development seeing a massive boom with thousands of new residents added A taller and more dense approach would now makes much more sense for this location within walking distance from many notable  destinations Girard Station along the Market-Frankford Line is located just a couple of blocks away Residents will also be able to walk to Front Street with a sizable collection of commercial corridors in close proximity The new development will be a massive improvement for the site removing a drab eyesore and replacing it with a much more efficient and dense mixed-use building Commercial space along the ground floor will enliven the surrounding area while the 112 residential units above will pack in density in a location within close proximity to transit and numerous businesses YIMBY will continue to track the development’s progress moving forward Construction may be completed in 2022 or 2023 By: 8:00 am on March 25 A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has observed that foundation work is underway a large mixed use building at 1801-05 North 2nd Street in Olde Kensington The building will stand five stories tall and feature 20 residential units as well as two commercial spaces at the ground floor and parking in the basement The structure will hold 25,106 square feet of interior space Since we last reported on permits issued in 2021 the site had been cleared and concrete foundations had been poured By: 8:00 am on August 29 Renderings have been revealed for a 204-unit mixed-use development at 1700 North Front Street in Fishtown, Kensington. Designed by NORR the building will rise five stories tall and will feature 172,844 square feet of interior space an additional 5,264 square feet of space reserved for amenities and a ground-floor commercial space spanning 16,429 square feet The development will also include 70 bicycle spaces The building will boast a stately exterior largely comprised of brick large sections of blue and green cladding interrupt the otherwise uniform brickwork which add a certain minimalistic extravagance to the design though they appear somewhat out of place on the structure Floor-to-ceiling windows will be located in the ground floor at the commercial space industrial-styled windows will feature on the upper floors The building site is bounded by Front Street to the east The site was formerly occupied by a large surface lot though now the lot is used as outdoor dining space by a nearby restaurant and an outdoor workout area for a nearby gym It is a popular destination for the surrounding community and its loss will be unfortunate loss for many local residents the new building will make for much more effective use of the space adding 204 residential units at a prime location in a developing neighborhood The lack of parking in the project is not overly concerning given its proximity to the Market-Frankford Line and location in a walkable and bicycle-friendly neighborhood certain slight tweaks may further improve the project The overall design would benefit from brickwork extended to the entirety of the façade if the building’s footprint was shrunk and a sixth floor was added the building would be able to retain the same amount of density while creating a green space along Cecil B which would compensate local residents for the loss of the existing open space at the site the project will still very likely be a net posit be for the surrounding neighborhood and businesses regardless of these changes Philly YIMBY will continue to track progress made on the development in the future Assume this is a by right and developers will have to go to CDR before picking up permits at ZBA Someone must have laced the architect’s coffee with something as he put SEPTA Regional Rail Silverliner IV on the MFL track instead of the correct MEL trains The brickless facades look like they forgot to be rendered with materials….or is it a budge decision to not have a material in those facades placing commuter rail on the Market-Frankford Line is ignorant and insulting to the neighborhood and the city to be a sad eyesore for the neighborhood to bear for decades prominent site that has extraordinary potential This is barely more than an extruded floor plan with no sense of hierarchy I never thought I’d say this…but I hope this design is a just a by product of developer greed to cut costs rather than aesthetic choices made by NORR Every project like this that gets built by right or approved by CDR sets a dangerous precedent for future development