City Council Passes Point Breeze Eminent Domain Bill for Affordable Housing

Thanks to Bill 120755, eminent domain is alive and well in Philly, with City Council passing the measure through its chambers today. The bill, which came to light in September after Point Breeze developer Ori Feibush got into a tussle with City Hall over a converted lot, will allow the city to claim some 17 privately owned vacant properties for “affordable housing.” Feibush owns several of the properties and has been a vocal opponent of Councilman Kenyatta Johnson‘s efforts–most notably the lack of a defined “affordable” amount for the future homes. (Currently, “affordable” homes in Point Breeze go for upwards of $250,000). Let’s just hope gentrification is a little better than blight. [CityPaper]