Jannie Gets Out The Way Of The Barnes Move, For $12 Million And Naming Rights
City Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell’s three-year holdout against moving the city’s youth detention facility to her West Philadelphia district paid off yesterday, as the city, state and school district announced plans for a $12 million community center named after her late husband. “This plan has been a long time coming, but the result was worth waiting for,” said Blackwell, who had refused to introduce legislation required for a new Youth Study Center at North 48th Street and Haverford Avenue without something “positive” for the community. The Youth center must move to make room for the city’s big prize — the building of a new museum to house the famed Barnes Foundation art collection, which is slated to move from its home in Merion. [via INQUIRER]
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NUTTER BUTTER: Next Mayor Hires Ethics Czarinas To Slay Pay-To-Play
Mayor-elect Michael Nutter has chosen three women who prosecuted some of the recent City Hall corruption cases to be his lead “point people” on ethics. “We’re very serious about ending the pay-to-play culture, and the era of corruption that’s gone in this city for much too long” he said. Nutter chose assistant US attorney Amy Kurland to be his inspector general, and assistant US attorney Joan Markman will be his chief integrity officer. Both were involved in the corruption trial of John Street’s former treasurer, Corey Kemp. Nutter’s message was clear: “I want to make sure that some of the things that have happened over the past few years never happen again.” [via KYW]
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KILLADELPHIA: One More Dead Since U Went To Bed
An unidentified man was found shot to death on a North Philadelphia street Wednesday afternoon, police said today. Police responded to a call in the 1800 block of Somerset Street at about 4:15 p.m. and found the man dead on the street, police said. There were no suspects or motive, police said. [via PHILLY.COM]