Conversations with the folks on the front line of Philadelphia’s great re-build: Planners, developers, elected officials, and the community leaders at the center of it all. Hosted by Vern Anastasio, zoning and land use attorney, and the author of phillyzoning.com, Philly’s premiere zoning information website. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Fireside, Tune In, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Why Philly's Summer Of 2026 Should Be On Your Radar Now
On the third season finale, we dive deep into the plans, parties and neighborhood programs being developed for the Summer of 2026 -- when Philadelphia takes center stage for the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game and America's 250th birthday celebration.
Carla Robinson and the Power of Hyperlocal Media
We examine the power of neighborhood-based media with the Chestnut Hill Local's Carla Robinson, as we discuss Septa train cuts, dirty water supply and a phantom zoning RCO in Northwest Philadelphia.
Philly Zoning Mailbag
We open the email inbox at phillyzoning.com (https://phillyzoning.com/) to tackle your questions about zoning, affordable housing, community opposition and much more!
What To Expect When You're Expecting Cherelle Parker w/ Leigh Whitaker
On this episode, we get into what to expect when you’re expecting Cherelle Parker as Philadelphia’s 100th mayor with Government Relations pro and member of Mayor Parker’s transition team, Leigh Whitaker.
Samantha Melamed and the crumbling city
Journalist Samantha Melamed joins us to discuss the people and the policies behind her Philadelphia Inquirer series, Crumbling City, which examines how residents are physically impacted by reckless and chaotic in-fill neighborhood development.
Debbie Wei of Asian Americans United
Debbie Wei of Asian Americans United joins us to discuss why she’s fighting the 76ers’ proposal for a new basketball arena on East Market Street — and what she’d like to see there instead — on the 3rd season premiere of the Philly Built podcast.
Coming Soon: Philly Built Season 3!
Philly Built is launching its third season on December 13, 2023! Listen in as host Vern Anastasio and Producer Joe talk about what to expect.
The Food Episode!
On this special episode, Vern and Producer Joe go through all the great food recommendations they’ve received from guests in the first two seasons of Philly Built. For those looking to investigate further, here’s where our guests recommended: Maria Quinones-Sanchez: Tierra Colombiana · Harrowgate Plaza Shopping Center · Isla Verde Philly Dena Driscoll: Mighty Bread Job Itzkowitz: Little Pete’s @ The Philadelphian Oscar Beisert: La Colombe Fishtown Mark Squilla: Ristorante Pesto Inga Saffron: Porco’s · a.kitchen Jamie Gauthier: Abyssinia Bar And Restaurant Chris Fetfatzes: Steak 48 · Dominic’s (SJ) · Joseph Leonard (NYC) Ali Perelman: Banh Mi & Bottles · The Good King & Le Caveau · Kalaya Victor Fiorillo: Upper Darby Strip Malls · Villa Di Roma · Clam Tavern (Clifton Heights)· H Mart Lauren Vidas: Zahav · Suraya · Kalaya Irfan Raza: Little Sicily II Judith Robinson: Maxwell’s Caribbean · South Joey Sweeney: Bloomsday · Sang Key Peking Duck House · Mish Mish Philly Built is brought to you by PhillyZoning.com. Got a question about zoning in Philly? Hit us up!
Inga Saffron's Philly
On the podcast's 2nd season finale, Pulitzer Prize winner & 2023 Guggenheim Fellow Inga Saffron joins us. The architecture critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer talks about the "tragedy" of Washington Avenue planning, the future of the Roundhouse, her choices for the best & worst in real estate development & where she bikes for her favorite pork sandwich.
Chris Fetfatzes and Philly's restaurant industry
On this new episode of Philly Built, we dive into the tragedies, thrills & theatre of the city’s restaurant industry through the eyes and experiences of one of Philly’s hottest young restaurateurs: Chris Fetfatzes of the Hawthorne Restaurant Group (Hawthorne’s Cafe, Pivot Coffee, Wine Dive, Quick Sips, Sonny’s Cocktail Joint, Tio Flores, Grace & Proper). Philly Built is brought to you by PhillyZoning.com.
Lauren Vidas on what just happened with the Philly electorate
On this episode of Philly Built, we welcome government relations pro and public policy wonk Lauren Vidas to unpack the primary election, examine the changing face of city council and what it all means for planning and development in Philadelphia. Follow Lauren on Twitter at @BroadAndMarket (https://twitter.com/BroadAndMarket), and subscribe to her newsletter at: broadandmarket.substack.com (https://broadandmarket.substack.com/) Philly Built is brought to you by PhillyZoning.com.
Victor Fiorillo on the city's 100th mayoral race
On this newest episode of Philly Built, Philadelphia Magazine's Victor Fiorillo joins us. He gives us an update on the health of Martha Graham Cracker and delves deep into the campaigns to become the city's 100th mayor, but not before giving us his take on the out-going Kenney administration. Philly Built is brought to you by PhillyZoning.com (https://phillyzoning.com/), Philadelphia's zoning authority.
Phila 3.0's Ali Perelman
On this episode of Philly Built, we talk to Ali Perelman, the executive director of the Philadelphia 3.0 (https://www.phila3-0.org/)political action committee (PAC) about growing the city's population, the lasting impact of out-going council president Darrell Clarke and their endorsements for City Council At-large for the May 16th primary. Philly Built is brought to you by PhillyZoning.com (https://phillyzoning.com/), Philadelphia's zoning authority.
City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier
City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier joins us to discuss the federal court battle over University City Homes, the city's failed agreement with the homeless activists of 2020 and the vote she had to cast in the wake of the death of Walter Wallace, Jr.
Coming soon: Season 2 of Philly Built!
This spring, Vern Anastasio of PhillyZoning.com is talking with the neighbors, thinkers and electeds that make Philly tick. For more: PhillyZoning.com (https://phillyzoning.com/)
Mark Squilla on all things about Philly's 1st District
1st District Councilmember Mark Squilla comes to Philly Built to discuss preservation costs, policing commercial corridors, planning traffic patterns and the proposed 76er’s arena on the podcast’s season finale. For more, visit phillyzoning.com.
Oscar Beisert and preservation in Philadelphia
Oscar Beisert is an independent preservation advocate who nominates more Philadelphia properties for historic protection than the city's Historic Commission and Preservation Alliance combined. His only goal is to keep Philadelphia looking like Philadelphia. For more, visit phillyzoning.com.
Irfan Raza, Judith Robinson and development in the neighborhoods
On the show today: Irfan Raza is a Temple University graduate and the principal of Raza Homes, LLC., a real estate development company in Philadelphia. Judith Robinson is an elected democratic committee member, and a community zoning facilitator in North Central Philadelphia. Plus: Vern fields questions from readers of PhillyZoning.com!
Job Itzkowitz and the state of Old City
Welcome to Philly Built, hosted by Vern Anastasio, zoning and land use attorney, and the author of phillyzoning.com, Philly’s premiere zoning information website. On Philly Built, we’ll be talking with the folks on the front line of Philadelphia’s great re-build: Planners, developers, elected officials, and the community leaders at the center of it all. On the show today: Job Itzkowitz has been the executive director of the Old City DIstrict since 2014. Prior to joining the district, Job served as a legislative aide in Philadelphia City Council and practiced law as an attorney in Ballard Spahr's Philadelphia office.
Dena Driscoll, and the ongoing saga of Washington Avenue. Plus: Your zoning questions!
Welcome to Philly Built, hosted by Vern Anastasio, zoning and land use attorney, and the author of phillyzoning.com, Philly’s premiere zoning information website. On Philly Built, we’ll be talking with the folks on the front line of Philadelphia’s great re-build: Planners, developers, elected officials, and the community leaders at the center of it all. On the show today: Livable cities advocate Dena Driscoll, and a conversation about the ongoing saga of Washington Avenue’s road diet. Plus: Vern fields questions from readers of PhillyZoning.com! About Dena Driscoll: Over the past ten years, Dena has worked to strengthen access to public goods. She believes in well-funded public: education, housing, spaces, parks, services, and history. She has previously worked at such nonprofits as Neighborhood Bike Works, Smith Memorial Playground, School District of Philadelphia, and Bartram's Garden which have given her a unique perspective of how public goods are essential to a thriving city. Currently, she is the Director of Development and Communications for the Public Interest Law Center. She holds an M.A. in Museum Education from the University of the Arts and a B.A. in History from La Salle University. Dena may not be a native Philadelphian but her two children are. Along with her husband, Patrick, they live in South Philadelphia’s Passyunk Square neighborhood. Dena’s children love growing up in a city going to museums and where sidewalks are filled with soft pretzels, scootering friends, and dogs on walks. When not working or hanging with her family she further champions her city as an advocate for safer more livable streets by founding and organizing "Kid"ical Mass PHL, as a former Fiscal Officer and founding member of Open Streets PHL, and Chair of 5th Square PAC.
Maria Quiñones-Sánchez plus: Vern answers your Philly zoning questions!
Welcome to Episode 1 of Philly Built, hosted by Vern Anastasio, zoning and land use attorney, and the author of phillyzoning.com, Philly’s premiere zoning information website. On Philly Built, we’ll be talking with the folks on the front line of Philadelphia’s great re-build: Planners, developers, elected officials, and the community leaders at the center of it all. On the show today: City Councilperson and potential mayoral candidate Maria Quiñones-Sánchez. Plus: Vern fields questions from readers of PhillyZoning.com!
Coming soon: Philly Built w/ Vern Anastasio!
Coming soon, from the good people at PhillyZoning.com