One of the signs posted near the alley accessing 303 S. 51st Street (Photo by West Philly Local).

About 60 people packed into a meeting room at a church at 51st and Spruce on Monday for the first public meeting of Neighbors for Healthy Community Development (NHCD), a group of residents organizing to bring attention to a planned residential development on an oddly located piece of land near Malcolm X. Park.  Continue Reading

Photo from Theatre in the X website.

One of our favorite things about summer in West Philly is performances by Theatre in the X, the company that stages free Afrocentric plays at Malcolm X. Park. This summer they will present the world premiere of “The Beast of Nubia” on Aug. 4, 11 and 18. (look for a more detailed preview later this month). Check out the trailer below. For now, we wanted to let people know about their fundraiser and volunteer sign-up.

Theatre in the X has a GoFundMe campaign here to keep the summer performances going well into the future. They are also seeking volunteers for everything from ushers to wardrobe assistants to set builders. Go here to fill out the volunteer form.  Continue Reading

If you are thinking of starting a small business, you need to get to this. A bunch of local non-profits aimed at helping West Philly-based entrepreneurs get going are hosting “Funding the Hustle,” which will include panels and lightening talks on everything from “Finance 101” to a design thinking workshop.

Funding the Hustle will highlight ways to get money to get your venture going, including traditional bank financing, crowd-funding and “impact investing.” It will also feature a workshop called “Hacking Your Hustle,” which will feature advice from entrepreneurs on balancing your family and/or day job obligations with your venture.  Continue Reading

Rendering of proposed project at the Good Shepherd Community Church site on 46th near Spruce. The building on the left is the new nine-unit structure.

The Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) zoning committee will support a contentious proposal to turn the Good Shepherd Community Church on 46th Street near Spruce into apartments and build a second, 9-unit building in the church’s garden.

Hightop Development, which originally planned to demolish the church building, has agreed to several conditions requested by the GCCA zoning committee, including the addition of two “affordable” apartments, stipulations on trash storage, landscaping and building materials (see list below). The GCCA zoning committee’s support is contingent on a signed “memorandum of understanding” with Hightop that lays out the conditions.  Continue Reading

A rendering of the proposed 48-unit building at 42nd and Chester, which would replace the Millcreek Tavern (HarmanDeutsch Architecture).

A strong majority of nearby residents at Wednesday’s public meeting focused on a proposed five-story apartment building that would replace Millcreek Tavern at 42nd and Chester opposed the plan, arguing that it would accelerate gentrification and exacerbate parking problems.

The proposal, which calls for the demolition of Millcreek Tavern, includes 48 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Four units would be designated as “affordable,” bringing the price of a studio with utilities included down to $918. A one-bedroom, market-rate apartment would rent for $1,300 a month, according to developers.  Continue Reading

Millcreek Tavern (42nd and Chester).

A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 to discuss a proposal for a 5-story, 48-unit building at the corner of 42nd and Chester, currently the site of the Millcreek Tavern.

Core Development’s plans for 4200-4202 Chester call for the demolition of the Millcreek Tavern. The new building would include 5,500 square feet of ground floor commercial space. Necessary variances include number of units, the building height, parking and minimum open space. The property is zoned CMX-1.  Continue Reading