We asked Philly to tell us what gentrification feels like. Here's what we heard.

• A residential block in Strawberry Mansion. 

Philadelphians have a lot of opinions on gentrification, and they aren’t afraid to share them. Sometimes bluntly. That’s one thing we’ve learned this week as we ask readers to weigh in on our Gentrified series  From neighborhoods across the city, Philadelphians have shared their experiences, thoughts, and questions about climbing incomes and other demographic shifts occurring in their communities.

Harold Burnett didn’t even need complete sentences to make his point. He shared a few signifiers that, to him, embody gentrification.

HaroldBurnett@HaroldBurnett

Waking up every morning to multiple construction projects.
Having multiple coffee shop options.
Dog Parks
Mixed Use buildings
Multiple Erin Express weekends #WHYYGENTRIFIED https://twitter.com/WHYYNews/status/972095282233135112 …

12:44 PM – Mar 9, 2018

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In Germantown, “conscious block captain” Bernie Lambert, aka @DaUrbanNerd, talks about change and rebirth through preservation and rehab.

Bernie M. J. Lambert@DaUrbanNerd

We’re having community based #historic #preservation #rehabilitation type #gentrification up here in #germantown #northwestphilly #WHYYGentrified

3:27 PM – Mar 12, 2018 · Philadelphia, PA

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For Jamir Wilson, aka @JimRW, the “surprising truth behind the racial dynamics” was not so surprising at all.

Jimar Wilson@JimarW

The surprising truth behind the racial dynamics of #gentrification in Philly #PointBreeze https://pocket.co/xQT5Vw 

3:39 PM – Mar 13, 2018

The surprising truth behind the racial dynamics of gentrification in Philly : Keystone Crossroads :…

While it may be harder to tell, data suggests white neighborhoods in Philly are actually gentrifying faster than black neighborhoods.

whyy.org

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• See Jimar Wilson’s other Tweets

Over in Point Breeze, longtime resident @RufusDeck pointed out that not all of the folks snapping up high-end rowhomes in Point Breeze are newcomers. Why not challenge a “divisive” narrative and talk to more neighbors?

13 Mar

PlanPhilly@PlanPhilly

Replying to @PlanPhilly

The surprising truth behind the racial dynamics of gentrification in Philly. @awmoselle @AnnetteJH report. The next in the #WHYYGentrified series: https://whyy.org/articles/surprising-truth-behind-racial-dynamics-gentrification-philly/ …

RufusDeck@RufusDeck

How about an article about longtime Point Breeze residents that graduate college and decide to stay and purchase one of those demonized new three story homes? They absolutely exist. But that doesn’t fit the divisive narrative that keeps many local rags in business.

8:57 AM – Mar 13, 2018

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Meanwhile Lisa Nwanko, whose grandparents both hail from Point Breeze, shared yet another experience one generation prior. Her grandparents said that 70 years ago, only affluent Black people lived on Christian Street from river to river.

Lisa Nwankwo@lisanwankwo

Both of my US American grandparents are from Point Breeze, #PHL and told me that ~70 years ago only affluent Black people lived on Christian St from river to river. It is very white now. Still, this argument about white attracting white in Kenz rings true https://whyy.org/articles/surprising-truth-behind-racial-dynamics-gentrification-philly/ …

10:19 PM – Mar 13, 2018

The surprising truth behind the racial dynamics of gentrification in Philly : Keystone Crossroads :…

While it may be harder to tell, data suggests white neighborhoods in Philly are actually gentrifying faster than black neighborhoods.

whyy.org

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• See Lisa Nwankwo’s other Tweets

Indeed, there is resilience in homeownership. @RufusDeck highlighted a resource that helps keep that possible, the city’s Longtime Owner Occupants Program (LOOP), a real estate tax discount initiave for homeowners who have lived in their homes for 10 years or more, experienced a significant increase in their property assessment from one year to the next, and meet income eligibility requirements.

13 Mar

PlanPhilly@PlanPhilly

Replying to @PlanPhilly

The surprising truth behind the racial dynamics of gentrification in Philly. @awmoselle @AnnetteJH report. The next in the #WHYYGentrified series: https://whyy.org/articles/surprising-truth-behind-racial-dynamics-gentrification-philly/ …

RufusDeck@RufusDeck

Unless I missed it, I don’t see 1 mention of L.O.O.P. or any other program 2 assist longtime residents. Just another, in a never-ending series, of articles that politely demonize people who dare to move in 2 a low income community and DARE to have an opinion on their surroundings pic.twitter.com/P2SrmRskmu

8:40 AM – Mar 13, 2018

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• See RufusDeck’s other Tweets

Veteran lawyer Amy Laura Cahn, known for her decades of work promoting and defending urban farms, community gardens, and open spaces, suggested that we look at public or community gardens at risk as a metric for changing neighborhoods. 

Amy Laura Cahn@amylauracahn

Just a few #PHL gardens at risk from or lost to #gentrification: Cohocksink Sloan St. Master’s Work Olive St. Wiota Farm 51 St. Bernard University City Growing Home Mercy Emily Edible Holly St. @LaFinq @PhillyPeacePark @ilovensnp #WHYYGentrified

2:52 PM – Mar 12, 2018

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Cahn listed just a few gardens at risk or lost due to development, including St. Bernard Community Garden in Cedar Park, which narrowly evaded the hands of developers at sheriff’s sale in 2016.

• • Trevor McElroy, who has been gardening at St. Bernard Community Garden for more than two years, is one of the members working to save the garden.

Cahn also recognizes the multiple roles urban gardens can play in communities, cautioning that urban agriculture could also be a force of gentrification. 

12 Mar

Amy Laura Cahn@amylauracahn

Replying to @PlanPhilly and 3 others

Tip of the iceberg. Or ant hill? Y’all have heard me say this how many X? The spaces most at risk are ones we don’t necessarily know about, but were created by Philly’s Black, Puerto Rican, & immigrant gardeners in the face of #disinvestment. #rootedincommunity #WHYYGentrified

Amy Laura Cahn@amylauracahn

On the flipside, it’s critical that gardens & #urbanag not be the force of #gentrification. Which is why I’m always a little hesitant w/ studies that point to property values as an co-benefit. Worth a read: http://www.sfuaa.org/position-on-gentrification.html … #WHYYGentrified

3:45 PM – Mar 12, 2018

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• See Amy Laura Cahn’s other Tweets

Clearly, there is a lot to consider. And there are still two stories to come in our Gentrified series. Follow the conversation — and join in — at  #WHYYGentrified or leave a message at 215-928-2408.