The strike by the carpet baggers, er I mean union, is finally over. My source says that the scaffolding of William Penn should begin by September 20, exactly one month after he was closed. At $5 a head, 20 people an hour, six hours of 20 elevator rides to the observation tower, it adds up to some much needed money for the Tour Office about $2400 a month (& it’s really not about the money, as much as enjoying the view from the City’s only observation tower). If the tour office had their way, they would have opened the observation tower up as soon as possible, but because the elevator is part of “City Property” guess what department couldn’t wrap their head around the idea of opening the tower until the strike was over. I know when Michael Nutter gets into office, “business as usual” will be put to a stop, and the folks that have an ax to grind will no longer be in charge, because when self interest is in charge, it’s the people of Philadelphia and her visitors that pay the price.
The City says the project should be done by November.
The original story I broke on 8/8/07: http://www.phillychitchat.com/would-we-even-recognize-philadelphia/
The story about the strike that occurred on 8/20/07:
http://www.phillychitchat.com/william-penn-is-not-getting-wax-job-yet_30/
Monday was my last night for Fashion Week, 7 days in a week, er now’s who’s being daft. From Sunday to Tuesday I only got 4 hrs sleep. I was a Zombie at work on Tuesday. Ok if you want to read about my adventures you can follow along at 
Fergie without the Peas
Eva Mendes without Will Smith
you will see Paris and Nicky Hilton. Nicky debuts her clothing line on 9/9/07 (Against the MTV Music Awards)
or you might find me as some PHAT private party *that I uncovered by doing a lot of research. Kanye West at the Mario Testino party
Pamela Anderson Diesel Party
Keith Richard’s daughters at the Tab Party
For all of you fashion sadists out there, 
I’m sure when I return on September 11, the carpenters union will still be on Strike, and Willy Penn will still be unwaxed.
I may update my fashion week experience on my other blog 
someone, who didn’t want to be photographed, tells me that the picketers are from the Carpenters Union. He further states that “A Non-Union carpenter firm is inside City Hall doing work and the Carpenter’s Union doesn’t think its fair that they can pay someone less than Union Scale to do a job.” I then mentioned that because of his picketing, the Union Carpenter guys who were going to scaffold William Penn to prepare him for cleaning and water proofing, won’t cross the picket line and now tourist from all over the world are going to have to wait even longer to view our beautiful City because of the delay. In fact it could even go into winter before all is said and dine, tourist season will be over and dollars will be lost.
The New Clothespin at Penn Square is much prettier. The stairs have been flipped and you can now enter/exit from the streetside. No more unwanted people loitering by the banks doors.
Not much of a concrete jungle
and still a great place to sit
Looks like it’s a Taxi Stand now too?
Overall I think they have done an excellent job. The facade and plaza really make Penn Plaza an inviting place to locate a business. With their largest tenant Comcast Corp., which occupies about 230,000 square feet, leaving within the year, I think the new curb appeal will attract the tenants they desire.
