🗳️ Krasner to run for third term as DA

⚖️ Krasner To Run for a Third Term

District Attorney Larry Krasner officially declared his bid to run for a third term, facing off against a former Philadelphia judge, Patrick Dugan, in the Democratic primary on May 20. In his campaign announcement, Krasner said he hopes the election will send a message to Washington, D.C., and President Trump: “We are going to make sure that his little plan to take over America fails.” While Dugan has the support of a powerful coalition of building trades unions, a key Democrat stood behind Krasner at his announcement: Council President Kenyatta Johnson. [WHYY]

🏛️ Could Bok 2.0 Join the Avenue of the Arts?

Three of nine properties that were once part of the shuttered UArts have been claimed, with plans to house Temple University’s Center City campus, expand the Curtis Institute of Music, and turn the Arts Bank into a mixed commercial-residential development. In addition, the innovative minds behind the Bok Building are eyeing Hamilton Hall to repurpose as a maker and artist space and continue the building’s art legacy, but a developer has so far outbid them. Supporters of the proposed “Baby Bok” hope Mayor Cherelle Parker weighs in on their behalf – ASAP. [Axios, 🔒The Inquirer]

⚓ Bon Voyage, SS United States… If It Ever Leaves

While the historic oceanliner managed to at least move from Pier 82 to Pier 80 over the weekend, its departure (to the surprise of no one) has been delayed yet again. The ship was set to sail Monday (after multiple delays) to head to Alabama and undergo preparations before being sunk off Florida’s coast to become an artificial reef. That date was pushed back and the ship is set to sail today. Let’s see if that changes by the time this newsletter is sent. [Philly Voice]

❤️‍🩹 Thousands of Pennsylvania Seniors Fall Victim to Elder Abuse

Over a thousand older Pennsylvanians died in 2023 while cases of suspected abuse or neglect were still pending. An investigation by Spotlight PA has found that many county protective services agencies failed to meet the deadline to investigate allegations of abuse and take corrective action, but rarely were they penalized by the Department of Aging. [Spotlight PA]

Philly’s known for being a city of neighborhoods, but sometimes you can find a neighborhood within a neighborhood. North of the city in its Frankford section is Northwood, a quaint neighborhood bordered by Oxford Circle and Juniata Park.

Its boundaries are roughly between Castor Avenue to the west, Oxford Avenue and Sanger Street to the north, Leiper Street to the east, and Orthodox Street to the south. Nearby landmarks include Friends Hospital and Oakland Cemetery.

Northwood was originally known as Large’s Wood. It was designed to be a suburb to the bustling Frankford neighborhood, attracting residents with its treelined streets and cottage-style homes. Although development in the community began in 1905, construction really took off after World War I. Its proximity to the Tacony and Frankford Creeks gave it a pastoral feel despite being home to industries like textiles.

Due to what’s known as the Burk Deed Restriction, the neighborhood forbids construction of properties that aren’t single-family homes. Here’s what else you can find in Northwood:

🛝 Where To Play

Northwood Park is the perfect place to picnic in the summer or go sledding on a snowy day. The large park is a central meeting point for community events and is now home to a nature playspace. That addition to the park was funded by the Make-A-Wish Foundation for neighborhood resident Susannah Johnston and inspired by stick forts that neighborhood children made in the park during the pandemic.

The nature playspace repurposed dead and fallen trees to create a seating space, little free library, obstacle course, and gaga pit.

The park is maintained by the Northwood Park Friends Group, which hosts a plant sale, a game night, and water activities.