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City Cast Philly

Siani Colón

The sale of a neglected lot, long cared for but not owned by stewards in a neighborhood, can be devastating.

Dominique Johnson, a North Philly resident and member of the newly formed 

, tended a vacant lot next to his family’s home for two decades. He even attempted to purchase it from the 

, which acquires vacant and tax-delinquent properties for redevelopment, without success.

“Every once in a while, I will go in and just kill the weeds, try and cut down some of the trees,” Johnson said. “I had a weed whacker, and I would try and keep it tidy, get rid of the trash.”

Last summer, Johnson said the city removed a gate that had been there, and since then, it has become a regular hangout for smoking and other late-night activities. “Since we don't have a gate, a lot of people walk in and out,” Johnson said. “Sometimes they don't have the best intentions.”

Johnson understood something like this could happen, as neither he nor his neighbor officially owned the land despite being the main caretakers. That’s why, on his mother’s behalf, in 2018 he reached out to the Philadelphia Land Bank to express interest in the property.

“But I didn't get any type of confirmation email,” he said. “So I just waited and waited and never heard back.”

He made another attempt the following year, once again expressing his interest but unaware that these attempts were not formal applications. This time he received an email response saying he’d hear back in 30 days. But he never did.

Then last month Johnson found a flyer on his door informing him that 

“I got frustrated really quick because I've been trying to get this space for some time now. My neighbor was also trying to get the space.” Johnson said. “My main worry is if there's going to be damage done to my home and my neighbor's home [due to development]. That's one of the primary reasons that I was trying to see if I could still acquire it.”

Johnson contacted Ryan Gittler-Muñiz, organizer for the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union. An 

 to request that the Land Bank’s board stop the sale. But at the Land Bank's meeting, it became clear to Johnson that development of the property was long in motion.

The sale could not be prevented, but it wasn’t a total loss for Johnson. “If anything positive came out of the board meeting, it was that a lot of people showed up to support me,” Johnson said. “I really, really appreciate that, and I will somehow return the favor.”

Johnson shared his story at the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union’s first meeting last weekend. Its membership has grown to about 100 members.

“I can be connected to individuals who have either experienced something similar to what I'm going through, who might be going through it now, and that I can really help them in some type of way,” Johnson said.

“I'm hurt, a little upset, definitely frustrated, but I'm still going to fight. I still want to try and do something to keep pushing forward,” Johnson said. “If I can help somebody somehow who's going through what I'm going through, I’ll show up for them when they have to go to their board meeting.”

A representative from the Land Bank did not return requests for comment.

🎧 Gittler-Muñiz spoke with City Cast Philly about why community members are using a union model to have a say in what development happens in their neighborhoods. 

Listen to our full conversation about the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union.

The union is giving residents a collective voice when advocating for their communities and demystifying the Land Bank’s process. 

Land Stewards Union Says It’s All About Empowering Residents

What Philadelphians have been wondering. We break down why things in Philadelphia are the way they are and how they work.

Philly, Explained

City Cast Philly staff

✏️ Find past crossword puzzles below:

This mini-crossword is filled with clues on Philly history and headlines. 

Can You Solve This Philly-Themed Crossword?

Play Our Philly Crossword Puzzle

At a city budget hearing on April 1, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation informed City Council that it has a 

backlog of close to 30,000 trees to address

. With so many hazardous trees in need of pruning and removal, that list may never reach zero.

The loss of trees throws a wrench in the 

 to increase the tree canopy and protect existing coverage.

Philadelphians can help with this by growing Philly’s urban forest in their immediate communities. Here’s how.

Tree Tenders are groups of volunteers trained to plant trees and maintain them in their communities. The initiative is a collaboration with the 

 and community partners like nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and watershed groups.

Throughout the year, PHS hosts training in-person and 

. After completing the basic level, you can become a certified Tree Tender and join your local group. At the higher levels, you can get certified to take on leadership roles and more complicated maintenance tasks.

Basic training includes lessons on tree biology, identification, care, and safety. A full course is available at a sliding scale cost, with a suggested donation of $40. Some Tree Tender groups may waive the fee.

. Tree Tender groups exist in many Philadelphia neighborhoods and the surrounding suburbs.

After becoming certified, you can help neighbors register to receive a tree during the next planting cycle, assist with pruning, and answer questions about tree care.

Can I Plant Trees Without Becoming a Tree Tender?

Opportunities arise every spring and fall to plant trees throughout the city. These are the best times of year to plant and do necessary maintenance because you avoid extreme weather conditions and interfering with budding trees.

No experience is needed to participate in a planting, as training is done on-site. If you’re a certified Tree Tender who has participated in a planting before, your expertise can help guide first-timers in a successful planting.

, a celebration of Philly’s parks, also has tree care opportunities.

If you want a tree for your private property, you can 

through your neighborhood Tree Tender group to have one planted by volunteers in the next planting cycle. Another option is Tree Philly, which hosts 

 and will provide delivery and planting assistance to residents with limited mobility.

Philadelphia’s trees are in major need of maintenance. Tree Tenders can help their neighborhood’s tree canopy thrive. 

How To Become a Tree Tender in Philly

Here’s How You Can Help Grow Philly’s Tree Canopy

How well do you know Philly's latest headlines and historical facts? Try your hand at the quiz below to find out!

🌀 Looking for a previous Hey Philly quiz? Find it here:

Sept. 27, 2024: Cheesesteak Trivia Edition

If you like what you see, subscribe to the 

 below. We’ll send local news, things to do, and other Philly essentials to your inbox every weekday morning — plus, a fresh news quiz every Friday. ⬇️

Pop quiz, Philly! It’s that time again to test your knowledge on local trivia. 


Philadelphia News Quiz & Trivia: April 10, 2026

Prove Your Weekly Philly Knowledge

The Philadelphia area is no stranger to pollutants from oil refineries and 

. And if you live along the Delaware River, you’re 

more likely to be exposed to hazardous waste sites

. That’s true for Port Richmond, where a large, toxic black mound called the 

 after over two decades. But what exactly is this site, and what makes it so dangerous?

The Franklin Slag pile is an example of a “Superfund” site. Enacted by Congress in 1980, the 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

 (or Superfund) allows the EPA to decontaminate sites harmed by industries that released hazardous waste, substances, and materials. It holds violators accountable by requiring them either to clean up the site or to reimburse the government to do so.

To be designated a Superfund site, the process begins with a notice of a hazardous release into the environment, followed by an evaluation process. Qualified sites are then placed on the National Priorities List, which collects contaminated sites that pose the most risk to the public and the environment. Once listed, more evaluations are done to determine how these sites can be best remediated.

Aside from the Franklin Slag Pile, the other Superfund site is the 

There were previously more Superfund sites in Philadelphia and the rest of Pennsylvania, many of which have now been cleaned up and 

. The redevelopment can come in the form of 

, including green space, military use, or public service.

However, in neighboring Camden County, New Jersey, nine Superfund sites pose an environmental risk for other communities in the larger Philadelphia region.

You can search Superfund sites by location through the 

. There you can find Superfunds that are currently active, proposed, or have since been removed.

Contact your legislators to voice concerns. Use these tools to find your:

 to keep residents up to date on site activities and inform the EPA’s decision-making.

For Port Richmond residents and concerned constituents, the EPA is hosting a 

 on April 29. The agency will also be present at a future Port Richmond Neighborhood Action meeting. 

 with reporter Jordan Gass-Pooré to learn more about plans to remediate the Franklin Slag Pile and why climate change is making Philly’s toxic sites more dangerous.

The Philadelphia region is home to several hazardous waste sites. Here’s how you can advocate for your community. 

What To Know About Philly’s Superfund Sites

Over 40 years ago, Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode Sr. tapped artist and organizer Jane Golden to helm a new city initiative to curb vandalism. Since then, the organization evolved into 

 and has completed over 4,000 murals across the city, earning Philly the title of the “Mural Capital of the World.”

Last August, Golden announced she would step down from her role after the semiquincentennial celebrations. As her time comes to a close, we spoke with her about her legacy, as well as what the future holds for her, Mural Arts, and the arts in the city. 

It was the Spring Garden [Street] Bridge … It's really long. It's like six feet tall and probably each side is like hundreds of feet long. It connects the art museum area to Mantua and Powelton, and it was covered with graffiti. There wasn't a spot on it.

“ When I was hired, it wasn't yet a full-time job. And Wilson Goode said to me, ‘If you can paint that bridge with the kids in Mantua in three weeks … you will have a full-time job, no questions asked.

“ We cleaned it up , but then we decided with the kids, they wanted [the theme to be] life in the city … so it was a lot of young people doing things. And they were working so fast that the other artists, we could barely keep up with them. We painted at night. We had flashlights. We painted on the weekend.

“ There was this big dedication at the end. And Wilson Goode looked at me, he goes, ‘You did it. Under three weeks … you have the job.’

“I'm in touch with some of those young people still as adults. I know their kids. It was such a bonding experience.”

What is that work that you're doing? How would you define that?

“ We're a program that embraces nuance. People have asked me for years, 'cause we have all these different departments. ‘Are you a public safety organization? Is it education? Is it social services? Is it art? You know, what is it?’ And I would say it's all those things with art at the center. And I think it's okay to be that way.”

What have murals done for connections that we have as Philadelphians with our city government?

“ It's important to tap into the collective imagination of Philadelphians and then be able to create these large-scale works of public art that reflect our lives. And at a time when people, the world, seems frayed and divided, what art can do is shine a light on our distinctions … and underscore our commonality and humanity.

“That's what art can do, and that all can create a deeper belief in the city and that city government can be effective and creative. And that's wonderful. It's affirming.”

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here.

The founder and executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia said that the next person who steps into her role should not only be a person who loves artists, but a person who deeply loves Philadelphia.

Mural Arts Executive Director Leaves Behind Large Artistic Footprint as Retirement Approaches

Mural Arts Founder Jane Golden on Art as a Medium for Beauty, Opportunity, and Democracy

Philadelphia’s arts and culture sector has faced multiple challenges over the past few years, from weathering a global pandemic to 

As the city prepares its first Cultural Plan, the 

 released results from a sector-wide survey to learn about the challenges for our culture workers and potential solutions. Here are some takeaways from the survey.

Boost Philly’s Existing Cultural Assets

Philly’s far from lacking when it comes to a cultural heritage, from its museums to its theaters. But to succeed, the city must do more to present this diversity of history and artistry beyond the colonial era.

, with its collaborative promotion, events, and projects, as an example that can be replicated to amplify the cultural identity of neighborhoods across the city. And to make the arts more accessible and encourage participation, discount programs like 

s successful $11 ticket option can be a model.

Bridge the Divide Between Philly’s Neighborhoods

Respondents shared that neighborhoods “feel cut off from one another.” Suggestions to rectify this include more partnerships between larger institutions in Center City and smaller cultural spaces in other neighborhoods, strengthening our transit system to better connect residents to art institutions across the city, and more investment in the arts in Philadelphia’s public school system.

Low Wages and Unsustainable Gig Work Are Pushing Artists Out

Rising housing costs, low pay, and unrecognized additional labor are reasons some artists consider leaving the city in search of higher wages. Some suggestions to support artists include a guaranteed-income program specifically for creatives, similar to the 

; urging the city to prioritize local artists for projects rather than contractors outside Philly; and broadening the city’s 

The local arts community said the city can do more to build upon its existing support for the arts. The report suggests making 

, the city government’s main hub for artistic opportunities, a permanent cabinet-level department. And the city's overall plan for growth and development, 

, should integrate the arts to ensure investments in the years to come.

🎭 Want to learn more about the report and how to support Philly’s art scene? There’s a 

. You can read the full Cultural Dynamics 

The report aims to shape the priorities of an upcoming Cultural Plan, a first for the city.

What’s the State of Philly’s Arts and Culture Sector?

From maintenance issues to high rental fees, navigating housing as a 

. But several local organizations and programs help Philly renters stay housed by connecting them to the right support systems.

 is a tenant-led organization advocating for renters’ rights through direct action and policy change. PTU

 covering what legal and illegal actions landlords may take during an eviction and what renters can do to protect themselves.

The union will also be running its annual 

’s services include webinars on landlord-tenant issues, discounted inspections, background checks on a landlord and/or property, a weekly virtual eviction defense clinic, and a weekly virtual repair clinic.

This program provides free legal counseling for tenants at risk of eviction in the following zip codes: 19121, 19124, 19131, 19132, 19134, 19139, 19141, 19144, 19153, and 19154. Find out if you’re eligible by filling out 

 or by calling the Philly Tenant hotline at 267-443-2500.

 following its creation during the pandemic. The program is designed to help landlords and tenants settle disputes by preventing cases from going to court and stopping potential evictions through mediation and targeted financial assistance.

 is your one-stop shop for answers about rental assistance, evictions, and repairs.

🎧 Do you have remaining questions about your rights as a tenant? Not sure if you have reason to take legal action? We spoke with Catherine Anderson, an attorney with Philadelphia Legal Assistance, to break down renters’ rights and 

Know Your Rights

Protect yourself as a tenant by knowing your rights and asking for help from these advocacy groups and legal services.


Where To Get Help as a Renter in Philly

Pennsylvania is home to iconic bells. We have the 

, which was gifted to us by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976. Then there’s the 

, which was created to gather support for the women’s suffrage movement. And of course there's the most famous of them all, the Liberty Bell, one of the most recognizable symbols of American independence (crack and all).

Now, over 100 painted bells will be scattered across the state in celebration of the semiquincentennial. Organized by

, “Bells Across PA” consists of fiberglass bells that celebrate unique communities in Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. In Philadelphia, 16 artists worked in collaboration with Mural Arts on 22 bells that will adorn the city.

“Each bell carries the voice of a Philadelphia neighborhood and echoes it across the Commonwealth, inspiring people to move beyond the city and experience a Pennsylvania that is alive with history, culture, and possibility,” said Anne Ryan, deputy secretary of tourism for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, in a statement.

The bells will be installed in their respective neighborhoods this spring. Here's where you can find them in Philly:

Other replica bells can already be found at Mother Bethel AME’s Richard Allen Museum, the Philadelphia Visitor Center, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

“Bells Across PA” is celebrating America’s independence by honoring the communities where the country was founded. 

Who’s Behind These Bells Appearing Across Philly?

At the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia’s annual State of the Economy event last week, Anna Paulson, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, shared findings from the chamber’s 

 detailing local impacts of national economic trends. Here are some key takeaways from Paulson’s presentation.

Most Jobs Created in 2025 Were in Healthcare

Philadelphia has not gone unscathed by the tightening job market, but our region is faring better than others. One of 

Philadelphia’s largest workforces is in healthcare

, representing 27% of employment compared to 16% nationally.

“Nearly 95% of net private job creation in 2025 occurred in a single sector: healthcare and social assistance,” Paulson said. This has helped the city stay afloat amid a national downturn in job creation.

2026’s Theme is ‘Waiting for Clarity’

That said, local employers aren’t hiring in massive droves either. When asked about the biggest problems employers faced in 2025, respondents overwhelmingly said it was uncertainty about regulations and government policies. This, along with other factors such as overhiring post-pandemic, led employers to hold back.

“As we go through 2026, both of the themes I discussed will be important: cautious optimism on inflation, and wanting greater clarity on what is pushing growth up and employment down,” Paulson said.

AI Hasn’t Greatly Impacted Workforce Yet

. However even though more than 75% of area employers said their companies were using AI, 61.9% of respondents found that it did not change their need for workers.

Employers Are Having a Hard Time Finding Qualified Workers

Despite the slowdown, employers are still hiring … if only they can find people fit for the jobs. About 30% of survey respondents said that they had difficulty hiring workers due to a lack of qualified applicants.

It’s not that Philadelphians aren’t applying at all, though. Paulson referenced the Federal Reserve Bank’s “

Understanding Economic Stability and Mobility in Philadelphia

” report from April 2025, saying that a third of economic mobility survey respondents — mostly lower and middle-income individuals — prioritized searching for better job opportunities. But factors such as health, caretaking responsibilities, and transportation made it difficult to work or look for jobs.

New data highlights how national policies are making employers more cautious.
