|
|
|
|
|
Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The election is over and almost all races have been called.
First and foremost, we now know who will almost certainly be the City of Philadelphia’s 100th mayor. The first 99 were all men. The 100th will be Cherelle Parker.
While I did not personally vote for presumptive Mayor-elect Parker, I think she is a really solid choice, and I am optimistic that she will be an excellent mayor for the entire city—likely for the next eight years. I felt there were several excellent candidates and Cherelle was one of them. So, a heartfelt congratulations to our future Mayor, Cherelle Parker.
Now a few brief comments about the election—
-
As we all know, Cherelle Parker just won the Democratic nomination. She still has to run in the November general election against the Republican nominee David Oh. For several reasons, there is virtually a 0% chance that David Oh will win this race. Barring some huge unforeseen scandal or other bizarre event, Oh’s odds are pretty much zero. Parker will be the next mayor.
-
I like David Oh. He is a moderate, business and community-oriented Republican, and is a solid candidate. He would likely make a good mayor. He is a classic Philadelphia Republican, which takes us back to the days of Thacher Longstreth and Arlen Specter. Moderate Republicans without a conservative social agenda that could appeal to Philly voters and won in the City in the past. Arlen Specter actually became a Democrat towards the end of his career and Longstreth was defeated by the more conservative Democrat Frank Rizzo. Sam Katz also ran as a Philadelphia Republican, though by the time he ran, the Philly GOP was in pretty bad shape (internally), and it couldn’t win even with an excellent candidate like Sam. Rest assured that a true Philadelphia Republican has little in common with today’s national GOP and its current leaders.
-
But none of that matters in 2023. The Democrats have a 7-1 voter edge in Philly, and Parker is an excellent candidate with strong support that helped her easily win a very competitive, five-person Democratic primary. Moreover, she will likely be a highly attractive candidate to most of the Democrats who voted for the other four in Tuesday’s primary. Note that a Republican was last elected Mayor of Philadelphia in 1947. I think we can all be pretty confident that 2023 will not be the year to break that streak.
-
While still very unlikely, David Oh did have a possible path to victory if things broke differently in the Democratic primary. Of the five serious Democratic candidates, four of them were more moderate, pragmatic Democrats, while one had the farther left lane to herself. In Tuesday’s primary, the four more moderate candidates garnered 75.57% of the vote (led by Parker’s 32.42% and followed by Rebecca Rhynhart’s 22.97%). The candidate running to their left, Helen Gym, received 22.01%. With Parker’s victory, it seems highly likely that the majority of that 75% plus Gym’s 22% will support Parker. But if Gym had won (which only would have been possible with the more moderate vote spread so thin among the four other candidates), it is likely that a certain percentage of that 75% would have voted for Oh in November, thinking that his policy positions were more in line with their preferred primary candidate. Highly unlikely that it would have been enough, but that was Oh’s best chance at a somewhat competitive race. Now, there is virtually none.
-
The biggest downer for the evening was the pathetic voter turnout for such an important election. There are 1,025,354 registered voters in the City of Philadelphia. Only 26.55% of them voted. For such a vital election. Not just for mayor but for City Council, City Controller, the judiciary, and more. I just do not know what to say about that. Shocking? Expected? Sad? (Please note that all vote totals noted herein are as of Thursday afternoon with 98% of the Divisions reporting.)
All-in-all, I wish the best for our future mayor Cherelle Parker, and I am excited for Philadelphia’s future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 BD + Huge Family Room | 2.5 BA | Large, Private Patio | Garage Parking | Finished Lower Level | Meredith School Catchment | $800,000
|
|
Sunny and spacious, updated 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with a huge family room plus finished lower level. GARAGE Parking. Large, private patio. On a beautiful, quiet tree-lined Queen Village block in the MEREDITH SCHOOL CATCHMENT.
Wood burning fireplace. Hardwood floors. Living room with 11’8” ceilings with 10′ of glass (sliders and transom) overlooking the private, decked patio. Awesome, open kitchen with ample pantry space. The rear of the home is southern exposure and backs onto the huge Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden, so you will always have open views and incredible light. This home has been lovingly maintained and improved by its current owners, Newer and updated finished throughout. Excellent storage.
This light-filled, mint condition townhome offers an A+ location on a quiet block in Meredith. Close to so many restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping. 95 WalkScore!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
Learn about the artistic processes of Philadelphia Magic Gardens‘ creator Izaiah Zagar at the brand-new exhibition titled Laying the Foundation: The Zagars’ Lives in South Philadelphia. This exhibition features historic documents, photographs, and artwork that details how Izaiah Zagar and his wife/fellow artist Julia Zagar created her iconic folk art store, the Eye’s Gallery, the Zagar’s current home, and the Magic Gardens themselves. Regular admission includes the exhibition and the opening reception is this Friday. The exhibition is open through July 16th.
-
Bird fans get excited! And no, we’re actually not referring to the Eagles this time. Starting this Saturday the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University has a brand new exhibition all about birds. This new exhibition features a number of early birding field guides and avian artwork from the academy’s collection. Additionally, there’s also a pop-up art studio, where visitors can draw or write about birds using the surrounding field notes as inspiration. Regular museum admission includes all activities and exhibits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newly Opened Eateries and Food Events
|
|
-
Fans of the Human Robot Brewery now have a brand-new taproom to visit along the Schuylkill Banks. This new space includes a large deck with river views and for the first few weeks it will exclusively offer beer. (Eventually, cocktails and wine will be added to the menu.) And on weekends you can enjoy a tasty brew with a Montreal-style bagel from the attached Spread Bagelry.
-
For some outdoor gaming (and bowling) fun head to South Bowl to check out their newly opened outdoor area: The Yard. This new space features cornhole boards, batting cages, and bocce and shuffleboard courts. So get a group of friends together and get ready for a night of competitive fun that includes snacking breaks. South Bowl has an awesome menu of craft cocktails, burgers and hotdogs, wood-fired pizzas, and a decadent s’more skillet for dessert.
-
Head to the Bok Bar to enjoy a delicious menu highlighting Chef Chance Anies’ Pinoy flavors from his Filipino BYOB restaurant Tabachoy. Anies is the Bok Bar’s featured culinary partner for May and the menu includes smoked barbecue wings, longanisa (a Filipino version of chorizo), and a sweet mango ice candy for dessert.
-
Last Friday the awesome Black-owned gelato company, Cloud Cups finally opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Fishtown at the spot previously occupied by Little Baby’s Ice Cream. The new spot will feature a rotating menu of about a dozen flavors at a time including many vegan-friendly options. Some of those flavors include mango, passion fruit, birthday cake, red velvet cheesecake, and pistachio.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,953 SF | $800,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 BD | 3.5 BA | 3,190 SF | $1,050,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 BD | 3.5 BA | 6,623 SF | $1,300,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35 Property Portfolio in West Philly
|
|
35 Single-family Properties | $7,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7111 Germantown Avenue #403
|
|
3 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,775 SF | $830,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,718 SF | $967,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,721 SF | $725,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,169 SF | $509,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
245, 253-255 S 44th Street
|
|
3 Properties | 5,742 SF | $1,550,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 BD | 2 BA | 1,333 SF | $645,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 Units | 5,792 SF | $1,595,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 BD | 1 BA | 1,183 SF | $399,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 Units | 2,000 SF | $550,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7111 Germantown Avenue #102
|
|
3 BD | 2 BA | 1,670 SF | $540,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,122 SF | $375,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1220 Buttonwood Street #101
|
|
2 BD | 1 BA | 1,334 SF | $385,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 BD | 3 BA | 2,800 SF | $550,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,792 SF | $375,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 BD | 1 BA | 1,100 SF | $345,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,240 SF | $289,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 BD | 1 BA | 1,305 SF | $225,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Experienced real estate agent?
|
|
Would you consider joining one of the most respected real estate teams in Philadelphia?
The City Block Team is looking for an experienced agent who wants to provide Expert Real Estate Representation. CBT is committed to helping you build your business and offers excellent coaching and mentoring; solid systems & admin support; leads (quality over quantity); superb team camaraderie; and outstanding team name recognition and regard.
Please contact [email protected] to discuss. All inquiries are confidential. Thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Know Someone Looking to Buy or Sell?
|
|
As always, please know that I’m humbled by and appreciative of your introductions and referrals. If you have a friend, colleague, or family member that is in need of Expert Real Estate Representation, please have them contact me.
Be assured, I will do my best to exceed their expectations! Thanks for taking the time to read this issue of Around the Block.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via UWISHUNU, phillymagicgardens.org, bok-bar.com, and Canva.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office: 212-913-9058
Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|