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Week of May 12, 2008
We May Not Be Slipping Into Recession
About a month ago, I suggested that the U.S. economy had slipped into a mild recession during the early part of 2008. This judgment was based on readings of the economic tea leaves as well as anticipation of a decision to be made later in the year by the Business Cycle Dating Committee at the National Bureau of Economic Research — the official arbiter of cyclical peaks and troughs in the U.S. economy. [more]
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But a 'Growth Recession' Definitely Is in the Cards [more] |
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Montco proposes novel funding plan for road project
By Diane Mastrull, Inquirer Staff Writer
With federal and state funding prospects looking grim, Montgomery County officials have devised an unorthodox plan to pay for a road linking downtown Norristown to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a $160 million project considered essential to the community's long-delayed revitalization.
It would require motorists who use the proposed new turnpike interchange at Norristown to pay both a toll and a surcharge, most likely $1.
Presented publicly for the first time yesterday, the plan already has an enthusiastic backer: Gov. Rendell.
He was briefed on the idea while in Norristown for the opening of a $17 million, four-level, 483-space parking garage at Main and Cherry Streets, touted as another key element in the county seat's renaissance.
After the ceremony, he met with reporters to announce his support. As a "reward" for such an "innovative approach," Rendell said, he was "strongly inclined" to support the county's request for $20 million from the state for the turnpike connector. The project also includes the renovation and extension of Lafayette Street, a major artery through the Norristown business district.
Could senior housing replace golf course?
ByERIC WHITE, The Intelligencer
A builder who wants to give Horsham its first age-restricted housing development has hurdles to clear before it would become a reality.
The David Cutler Group, which has an agreement to buy Horsham Valley Golf Club, wants to put about 200 residences on the 66-acre property that's zoned for about 60.
“It's a lot of the same issues — traffic concerns, the amount of water pulled out of the ground, sewers — that we had with development at (Willow Grove Naval Air Station), that we have with any development,” said Councilman Andrew Santacroce.
The golf club, which has 18 holes along Babylon Road and opened in 1964, has been losing customers.
Club owner Harry Barbin confirmed he has an agreement with Cutler to sell the 18-hole course. He expects to be open through 2009 while officials consider whether to change the zoning.
Residents oppose inspections
By CHRISTOPHER RUVO, The Intelligencer
It's a proposal that would warm Joseph Stalin's heart, declared Helen Theys.
The Quakertown resident was talking about a recommendation borough council is considering that would call for private residences to be subject to routine fire and safety inspections by the borough.
“Comrade Stalin would be proud to know that communism is alive here in Quakertown,” said Theys at a council meeting this week.
Theys is upset over possible inspections, recommended by a borough-appointed committee studying landlord/tenant issues in town. Her emotions are shared by more than a few Quakertown residents.
“I don't agree with anyone coming into my house,” said Michele Majoros, a 22-year resident. “People have a right to privacy.”
Folks here will have a chance to air their views on the recommendations at a May 27 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in borough hall.
Ex-Daily News columnist to run Phila.'s green efforts
By Patrick Kerkstra, Philadelphia Inquirer
Mayor Nutter yesterday appointed former Philadelphia Daily News columnist and urban affairs expert Mark Alan Hughes as the city's first sustainability director, fulfilling a key campaign pledge.
Hughes is charged with leading the city's environmental initiatives, which include expanded recycling, a 10 percent cut in the city government's energy consumption, and creation of specific environmental goals in all city departments, Nutter said yesterday.
"Sustainability is not a fringe issue. It is central to everything we do," he said at a news conference at which he announced the appointment. The event was held in the courtyard of the Friends Center, which is in the midst of a comprehensive renovation designed to make it one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the nation.
Hughes, who will be paid $150,000, set a high bar for himself, saying the city's goal should be to take sustainability "further and faster" than has been done anywhere else.
Waterfront could be dredge zone
By:JAMES MCGINNIS, Bucks County Courier Times
Areas of the Bristol Township waterfront owned by Rohm and Haas could be used as a dumping ground for dirt and other materials dredged from the Delaware River.
Officials with Rohm and Haas, which owns roughly 800 acres along the Delaware, said the proposal was in the “earliest of discussions” and no specific site has been indentified.
However, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has already met with some county, township and company officials to discuss the extensive regulatory process needed for such a project.
Development moratorium: So towns can catch their breath!
By Daylin Leach
Anyone living in a suburban community in Pennsylvania in the 21st century knows what the phrase “suburban sprawl” means. As the term has entered our lexicon, its manifestations have become more ubiquitous. We see rampant overdevelopment, increased traffic congestion and a severe strain on all sorts of government services, including public schools, police, fire, sewer and stormwater management.
Over the past few years the legislature has tried to ameliorate the situation in a number of ways with varying degrees of success. However, as a member of the House Local Government Committee I recently voted to send to the floor what I believe will be one of the most effective tools we’ve ever considered. House Bill 904, introduced by Rep. Bob Freeman, will allow local municipalities, under certain conditions, to impose a short-term moratorium on development.
The moratorium option is crucial if local communities are to gain any control over the development occurring within their borders. Constant breakneck development allows no opportunity for a town or a borough to catch its breath and plan for the future. New applications are always pouring into the clerk’s office while bulldozers are busy wherever one looks. A moratorium will give elected officials and planners a chance to pause, assess their macro-situation and make intelligent development decisions for the future.
Multifamily Starts Rise 36 Percent but Single Family Numbers Fall Further
Total housing starts rose 8.2 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.032 million as construction of multifamily units jumped 36 percent following a 35 percent drop in the previous month. However, construction of new single-family units fell 2 percent in April to an adjusted 692,000, their lowest level in 17 years. Both single and multifamily permits advanced in April. more
