Mere promises to adapt recommendations made by locally based-Econsult, according to Katz, are insufficient to warrant the grant.

As a result of GPF's protest, state representative Dwight Evans, a Democrat from Philadelphia, urged the state House Appropriations committee to table the grant proposal, which was to come up today as part of a capital budget bill.

Meanwhile, Charles Pizzi, president of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter countering GPF's and urging legislators to approve the grant on condition the center authority addresses myriad problems pointed out in the Econsult report.

To add to the authority's ongoing problems, which include the absence of a president and chief executive office, two board members resigned, acknowledging their positions on the board violate an anti-nepotism statute.

Among GPF's recommendations for change is the appointment of two people withbackgrounds in the hospitality industry to sit on the authority's board. No current members represent that industry.

In an unrelated matter, Philadelphia advances installation of new pedestrian and vehicular lighting on West Market Street and JFK Blvd., as part of a "streetscape." The project is managed by Center City District, and jointly funded by CCD, PECO Energy and the city.