Philadelphia had an eventful year, yet again.
A new mayor took office for the first time in eight years, the plan to build a downtown basketball arena ignited fierce opposition, and the city played its familiar starring role in a highly consequential presidential election.
Philadelphians also had fun entertaining themselves, as we always do — whether by celebrating characters like Dave, who bought a billboard to get a date, or following the on-again, off-again saga of the purportedly Florida-bound SS United States.
Here’s a recap of a few of the big stories Billy Penn brought you in 2024.
Mayor Parker tries to end Kensington’s drug market
In May, recently elected Mayor Cherelle Parker launched her much-hyped Kensington improvement plan with a clearing of a tent encampment on Kensington Avenue. Some residents applauded the effort, while others doubted it would make much difference in the long term. Experts said that, with enough resources and the right tactics, the city might at least suppress the decades-old open-air drug market. Council approved borrowing $100 million to build a shelter and drug treatment center in Northeast Philadelphia.
Dave (and his cute cat) just want a little love
“Dave is Single! Want to go on a DATE with DAVE?” So read the instantly viral billboard that Dave Cline and some friends paid to put up in West Philly in July, featuring a picture of his truly and his charmingly sprawling cat. The New York Times, Washington Post, and other outlets subsequently picked up the story. Dave was a featured guest at Billy Penn’s 10th Anniversary party in October, along with other Philly notables like Ya Fav Trashman, curator Conrad Benner and the Chickenman. (Also check out the Eagles fan whose missed connection went viral.)
A fierce fight over the downtown arena
Chinatown defenders who oppose the Sixers’ proposed arena on East Market Street, and labor union members and others who support it, staged dueling rallies and gave emotional testimony at City Council hearings. Mayor Parker held neighborhood town halls to drum up support, while medical professionals warned of dangerous gridlock that could block ambulances. Despite a city-commissioned study that found Chinatown could lose its identity, a Council majority green-lighted the arena, which is scheduled to open in 2031.
Jason Kelce’s retirement was just the beginning
One of the most beloved and charismatic Eagles players of all time shifted to the next stage of his career, and where do we even begin? With his barechested partying with the Bills Mafia, perhaps? With his account of losing his Super Bowl ring in a kiddie pool of Cincinnati chili? Or his latest Philly Special Christmas Party single, this time with Stevie Nicks? That time he spiked the phone of a fan who insulted Kelce’s brother Travis? Fans can expect to keep hearing more about his antics in the New Year, when he’ll host a short-run late-night talk show on ESPN.
University of the Arts shuts down for good
A bombshell hit at the end of May, when leaders of the University of the Arts announced that the 154-year-old institution would close — almost immediately. As students, faculty, elected officials and the wider community struggled to understand why the school was closing and how to respond, we took a look at factors that may have led to the abrupt move.
SEPTA pulls back from the brink
SEPTA had a near-death-spiral moment when a fiscal crisis led it to propose huge fare hikes and service cuts; then Gov. Josh Shapiro swooped in with a rescue “flex” of federal highway dollars, annoying Republican legislators. The feds also ordered the authority to make millions of dollars’ worth of safety fixes. Philly DA Larry Krasner unsuccessfully fought the appointment of a special prosecutor for crimes on the transit system, the agency fixed its ghost bus issue, and a Temple student began a trek to visit and rank all of SEPTA’s 284 stations.
A viral dash, or crawl, across the state
Sticking to the transportation theme, Billy Penn intern and social media influencer Santiago Ortiz raced a friend from Philly to Pittsburgh’s Primanti Bros., with Santiago driving and his buddy Logan taking a plane. As for the outcome, let’s just say, “slow and steady does not win the race.” Santiago also braved Red Bull’s greased pole challenge at Spruce Street Harbor Park, with predictable results.
A cyclist’s death spurred action on road safety
The horrific death of Barbara Friedes, a cyclist allegedly struck by a drunk driver on Spruce Street, drew attention to the slow progress of the city’s Vision Zero program and spurred protests demanding better bike lane protections. Parker took a symbolic bike ride to show her support, the city presented plans to install concrete barriers and planters, and in December the mayor signed a bill barring cars from parking in bike lanes, even momentarily.
The SS United States is going, going… Nope, it’s still here.
Facing eviction for unpaid dock fees, superfans of that big rusting ship you can see from the South Philly Ikea gave up on restoration plans and agreed to let it be sunk and turned into a reef off Florida’s Gulf coast. Stormy weather delayed the planned November move, but admirers took the opportunity to enjoy a close-up tour around the historic, nearly 1,000-foot-long vessel. As of late December, it’s still in the same spot, awaiting a tow.
Flavored and costumed by Philly
A couple Billy Penn traditions returned for another year. Our team and some WHYY colleagues taste-tested Herr’s latest trio of “Flavored by Philly” chip varieties and settled on one clear favorite. October brought our annual guide to last-minute, DIY, Philly-themed Halloween costumes, such as Jason Kelce’s Retirement, the S.S. U.S. with Eviction Notice, and PA, the Swing State.
The center of the political universe, again
Billy Penn contributed to WHYY’s exhaustive coverage of this year’s elections. We anticipated and then reported low voter turnout. We went to VP candidate J.D. Vance’s South Philly campaign stop and a Harris-Walz rally at Temple University. We checked out the scene near the National Constitution Center before the presidential debate there, and noted a wrong-Philadelphia blooper by Senate candidate Dave McCormick’s campaign. And we offered our comprehensive Procrastinator’s Guide and explained how to vote by mail. When it was all over, we went to the streets to check on how folks were feeling.