⭐ 1-star reviews of Philly landmarks

Fashion District Owner Files for Bankruptcy

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), which owns several area malls, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday. As a part of a plan to restructure its debts, PREIT is giving up its 50% stake in the Fashion District, the site of the proposed Philadelphia 76ers arena. [PHL Biz Journal 🔒]

Fallout from Penn Leadership Turmoil

Professors and higher education experts told The Philadelphia Inquirer they are concerned about the pressure campaign that led University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill and former board chair Scott Bok to step down. Both campus leaders resigned on Saturday, following calls for Magill’s departure from donors and elected officials after she testified before Congress and was criticized for not condemning antisemitism strongly enough. Groups such as the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) said these departures could have a “chilling effect” when it comes to discussing controversial topics on college campuses.

• Julie Platt is the new interim chair of UPenn’s board of trustees. [Inquirer]

Biden’s Campaign Stop in Philly

On Monday, President Joe Biden held a press conference in Philly announcing a $22.4 million infusion of federal cash to reopen three fire stations shuttered since the pandemic. Later, he held a fundraiser at Penn’s Landing, where he was greeted by 300 pro-Palestinian demonstrators calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas. [NBC10/Inquirer]

South Philly’s 24-Hour Christmas Tree Lot

Customers of Tree World, a pop-up tree stand at the corner of Broad Street and Passyunk Avenue, can show up day or night, sober or three sheets to the wind. In the wee hours of the morning, “they’re coming from Passyunk Avenue, a bottle of wine [in one hand], and a tree in another hand,” owner Freddy Florio told Billy Penn. Fa-la-la! [Billy Penn]

1-Star Reviews of Philly Landmarks

Can you identify some of Philly’s biggest landmarks, based on their haters? City Cast Philly executive producer Laura Benshoff compiled one-star reviews of iconic spots in the city and put host Trenae Nuri and producer Abby Fritz to the test.