Unfortunately, Walnut Street West Library at 40th and Walnut is closed again due to an unexpected building emergency. The staff are cautiously optimistic that they will be able to reopen by Monday, Aug. 31. The library was closed for a few days earlier this month because of HVAC issues.

Please check the library’s Facebook page for updates.

Click to enlarge.

Here’s a short update on the widely discussed mixed-use residential and commercial project at 4224 Baltimore Avenue across from Clark Park. Construction of the 132-unit building, which will include upscale rental apartments aimed at young professionals and condo units for sale, is not expected to start until late summer 2016, according to a letter to the SHCA Zoning Committee and the Spruce Hill community sent by the land owner Clarkmore LP and project developer U3 Ventures. The project was approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in June after weeks of delays, clearing the last hurdle for the project to go ahead.

“We are now pursuing detailed design, construction cost estimation, [and] retail tenanting along with other detailed planning work,” reads the letter signed by Lenard Thylan, Omar Blaik, and Tom Lussenhop.

Although more details are not yet available, the 17,000 feet of commercial space may include a large fitness center and a full-service restaurant with outdoor seating, among other retail options. We’ll keep you posted when we have more information.

John B. Kelly pool in Fairmount Park (Facebook photo).

Most outdoor city pools closed for the season last week, but here’s good news: nine pools will remain open through Thursday, Aug. 27, probably because of a late Labor Day and Sept. 8 start of the school year at Philadelphia public schools. Two of the pools with the extended season are in West Philly – John B. Kelly Pool (Facebook page) is located in West Fairmount Park next to the Please Touch Museum and Christy pool is at 56th and Christian. For information on the other pools please visit Phillypublicpools.com.

Here are the weekday hours for the Kelly pool:

Lap swimming 11 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.; open swim 1-4 p.m.; adult swim Mon, Wed, Fri 5-6:45 p.m.; family swim Tue, Thu 5-6:45 p.m.

UPDATE (8/22/2015): Demolition of the mid-19th century mansion at 40th and Pine has begun.

(8/18/2015): Demolition of the old mansion at 40th and Pine is expected to begin this week, according to the signs posted at the site:

Historical Commission cleared the way for demolition of the building in December 2014, after years of the dispute between the University of Pennsylvania, which owns the building, and the Woodland Terrace Homeowners Association over the mansion’s future. Architect Samuel Sloan-designed Italianate mansion was built in 1850’s. Penn purchased the property in 2008 and claimed financial hardship, which allowed them to demolish the building to make room for student housing. However, in 2013, they presented a compromise plan to incorporate the original part of the building into the proposed apartment complex, “Azalea Gardens.” The Woodland Terrace Homeowners Association rejected the proposal.

Photo from One Art Community Center’s Facebook page.

A great community effort is underway on North 52nd Street. An Earthship, a 100 percent sustainable, “green” home, is being built on a vacant lot at 5128-5146 Warren St., from both natural and recycled materials.

The project is spearheaded by the One Art Community Center (formerly Wall Street International), which is planning to create an urban sustainability center and expand its artistic and educational programs for the community. One Art has already been running an educational farm in the area, which includes an orchard and organic learning garden.

This is the second Earthship being built in West Philadelphia. The first project, led by non-profit organization LoveLovingLove Inc., began last year at 675 N. 41st Street.

One Art’s plan is to build a two-story, four-room solar-powered building complete with bathrooms by the end of the year, if they get enough funding and materials, according to CBS Philly.

By the way, this Saturday, One Art is hosting a big community festival, titled A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at their location at 5128-46 Warren Street. The festival, which will feature 15+ musical acts, workshops, a fashion show, art installations, live painting and glassblowing, vending and much more, will be held from 1 p.m. Aug. 22 to 4 a.m. Aug. 23. For more information and tickets ($30), visit the event’s Facebook page.

The Nesting House’s West Philly location is now open at 4501 Baltimore Ave. (Facebook photo)

In case you missed it, the West Philly location of locally owned children’s boutique and consignment store, The Nesting House, opened last week at 4501 Baltimore Ave. The West Philly store is currently looking for various items for its large consignment section, including strollers, high chairs, swings, bouncy seats, pack and plays, as well as books and toys up to age 6 (visit The Nesting House’s Facebook page for more information).

The store will also be offering workshops and classes for both kids and parents, starting next month. Rhythm Babies, an early childhood music class, will be held every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 8. A free cloth diaper workshop will take place on Sept. 24.

The store hours are: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

For more information, visit thenestinghouse.net.