Housing for those in recovery; Macy’s closing; Stuck cargo ship

The city unveiled a pillar of its plan to address Kensington’s open-air drug markets and humanitarian crisis on Wednesday, inviting the media and city officials to check out the Riverview Wellness Village in Northeast Philly.

The 336-bed facility will provide housing, healthcare, job counseling and other services to people who have completed an initial drug treatment program and have moved to the next stage of their recovery. Continue reading …

A four-person bedroom at Philadelphia’s newly renovated Riverview Wellness Village, Jan. 8, 2025. (Billy Penn/Meir Rinde)

The major Philadelphia department store said it would close its Center City location in the historic Wanamaker building as it shutters 66 stores across the country.

City officials at an afternoon news conference painted the news as an opportunity for retail shopping. Continue reading …

The view from the second floor in the Wanamaker Building, overlooking the first floor of Macy’s. (Staff/WHYY)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Local Habitat for Humanity chapter honors “our most famous volunteer,” Jimmy Carter. [CBS3]

• Mayor Parker wants to push Philly as home for the Biden presidential library. [WHYY]

• Coast Guard is working to free a cargo ship run aground in the Delaware River. [WHYY]

• In Kensington, a task force has been launched to put out fires started by people trying to stay warm on the streets. [Inq$$]

• Einstein Healthcare Network’s resident doctors voted to unionize. [Inq$$]

• PHA buys a West Philly apartment building, plans to set aside units for affordable housing. [PBJ$$]

• Port Richmond fire station returns to service, 16 years after being closed during a recession. [NBC10]

MAYOR WATCH

The mayor has no scheduled appearances Tuesday.

ON THE CALENDAR

❤️ Friday, Jan. 10: EAT THE NIGHT – Philly Premiere
PhilaMOCA hosts the local premiere of a new queer apocalyptic love story with a modern MMORPG thriller twist from Caroline Poggi & Jonathan Vinel. $12 admission. 17+ age requirement. (7 p.m.)

🕺🏼 Saturday, Jan. 11: West Philly Square Dance
Join square dance caller and clogger Megan Downes and the Rubble City String Band for gender-free calling, with snacks and tunes to follow! $10-20 sliding scale; No one rejected for lack of funds. (7 to 9:30 p.m.)

🍸 Saturday, Jan. 11: Slay and the City: A Killer Cosmo
Through February 24, the fictional characters gather for drinks and to talk about sex. But when they discover that they have one particular gentleman in common, things turn deadly. Follow hidden clues to solve the mystery and win a prize. Costumed guests get a free clue. $35+fee tickets. (5 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays)

🎂 Tuesday, Jan. 14: Robert Smith’s Birthday Celebration
Robert Smith was Colonial America’s leading architect and builder. Join this festive, Scottish-themed celebration of his birthday, with music, dance, and Scotch whisky to support historic Carpenters Hall. $150 tickets. (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.)

🏠 Tuesday, Jan. 14: “The Invisible Unhoused” Bridging Blocks event
WHYY and the Free Library hosts these conversations to discuss issues affecting Philadelphians every day. This one focuses on the challenges faced by those who are housing insecure, and what barriers prevent Philly from solving the housing crisis. Register at whyy.org/events.