Best and Worst Housing Markets

A new list predicing growth and decline in real estate markets has come out.  Here is the break down, according to Housing Predictor:

The Best 10 Markets                  The Worst 10 Markets
1. Portland, ME +3.6%               1. Bend, OR -11.5%
2 .Kansas City, KS +3.5%         2. Las Vegas, NV -10.8%
3. Tri-Cities, WA +3.4%             3. Atlantic City, NJ -10.8%
4. Omaha, NE +3.3%                4. Miami, FL -10.8%
5. Fargo, ND +3.3%                   5. Medford, OR -10.5%
6. New Orleans, LA +3.2%        6. Manhattan, NY -10.3%
7. Iowa City, IA +3.2%                7. Ocean City, NJ -10.3%
8. Columbia, MD +3.1%             8. East Providence, RI -9.5%
9. Bellevue, NE +3.1%               9. Jacksonville, FL -9.3%
10. Bismarck, ND +3.1%           10. Orange Beach, AL -9.3%

Notable nearby areas, not in the top 10: Bethesda MD and Silver Spring, MD both made best list with 3.0% increases.  Rounding out the top 25 worst list were Wilmington, DE at 14th worst with a decrease of 8.9% forecasted, and Newark DE at -8.6%. 

Nonprofit Spotlight: Save Our Sites

saveoursites.org

A newish non profit is focusing on historic sites in Philadelphia.  S.O.S, or Save Our Sites was recently featured on Plan Philly and the detailed article is worth reading.  Plan Philly notes that this group's list of endangered locals is a bit "quirky" and even includes a parking lot.  The group's website is still under construction and the link to the list didn't seem to be working, so check out the Plan Philly article for the endangered locations.  My favorite quote from the website: "A city without old buildings is like a person without a memory" -Konrad Smigielski

The Group's purpose as stated on their website:
Save our sites will advocate for the preservation of sites and structures within the City of Philadelphia deemed valuable. These sites include historic ones, though they may not always be certified or in historic districts. The modern, the vernacular and those properties not fitting into any particular category, will be the focus of Save Our Sites as well. . Therefore, Save Our Site's mission goes beyond historic preservation in the narrow sense, with the intention of preserving Philadelphia as a highly livable, traditional city.


Save Our Sites, in addition to its focus on preservation, will advocate for new development that is appropriate to each site and that is compatible with its surroundings.
Save Our Sites will stress the link between preservation and sustainability.

Tuesday Links

Philadelphia Inquirer
Major Snowstorm to Arrive by Evening Philadelphia Inquirer
Sheriff's Office May Owe Millions in Unclaimed Auction Proceeds Daily News
Robbins Diamonds Closes Two Stores Philadelphia Inquirer
Unlisted: West Philadelphia Title and Trust Field Notes
Foxwoods Team asks PGCB to Renistate its License

New Restaurant Two Weeks from Opening in Old Paesano's Location at 9th and Christian

Photo: Grub Street Philadelphia

Things are happening at what is to be the "only real Sicilian food in town".  Paesano's will be moving a couple of blocks south to Bebe Barbeques old location to make way for Peter McAndrew's new project.  McAndrews is lining up his staff and there is a lot of action in preparation for the opening. 

Green 2015

Below is the guide to the ambitious plan to create 500 acres of new green space in the city of Philadelphia.  I am pretty excited by the plan and, if executed, it would be an obvious quality of life boost for city residents.

Open publication - Free publishing - More philadelphia

Restaurant Round-Up

If it seems like new restaurants are popping up everywhere, it is because they are.  Philly Inquirer recently reported on the increase in fine dining in center city, stating there are now 278 "fine dining" restaurants, up from 238 in 2006.  Below is information on some anticipated restaurant openings.

Stephen Starr's Fishtown Bear Garden


Photo: brownstoner

 Brownstoner recently blogged that development at 1210 Frankford seems to be moving again.  It sounds like it was anticipated to open last Summer.  Hopefully the wait won't be too much longer.                                                       




Indian for Grad Hospital


photo: foobooz



Foobooz has a new feature called "A Walk Down".  Their recent walk down South Street turned up some information.  Apparantly, King of Tandoor is opening a second location at 1634 South Street.

18th and Federal


Photo: Brownstoner



Some of the people associated with South Philly Taproom are opening a restaurant in the former Wander Inn building.  With a rumored OCF cafe at 20th and Federal, it looks like Grad Hospital development is heading South.  Brownstoner has extensive coverage on the progress. 

"Man Makes Ridiculously Complicated Chart to Find Out Who Owns His Mortgage"

Huffington Post