Architect Brian Phillips from architecture firm ISA presents proposal to convert church near 46th and Spruce into apartments (Photo by West Philly Local).

Developers presented a plan to the Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) last night that would convert the Good Shepherd Community Church near 46th and Spruce into apartments and add another smaller building on the property.

The proposal, made to a standing-room-only crowd, was met with mixed reviews. Preservationists welcomed the adaptive reuse, while many neighbors near the property at 314-316 S. 46th St. opposed the plan.

“We simply can’t absorb any more high-density housing in this area,” said Eric Santoro.  Continue Reading

Good Shepherd Community Church (Photo West Philly Local).

The Garden Court Community Association zoning committee will consider a proposal on Tuesday, June 4 to demolish part of the Good Shepherd Community Church building near 46th and Spruce and build a 32-unit apartment complex.

The property at 314-316 S. 46th St. is zoned RSA-3, which accommodates singe-family dwellings. Developers are also asking for variances for the front setback (eight feet is required and zero is proposed) and parking. Zoning requires 32 spaces and the proposal includes none.  Continue Reading

Jamie Gauthier

Political newcomer Jamie Gauthier pulled off the biggest upset in Tuesday’s primary election, handily defeating longtime incumbent Jannie Blackwell in the City Council 3rd District race. The win appears to end the 45-year reign of the Blackwell family in the district, which has undergone massive demographic changes in recent years.

Gauthier garnered about 56 percent of the approximately 25,000 votes cast and with no Republican candidate in Tuesday’s primary, the win almost assures her victory in the November general election.  Continue Reading

Plans for the 7-story apartment building coming to the former site of the Christ Memorial Church at 43rd and Chestnut came before the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee on Monday as part of the civic design review process, the final community-focused step before building begins.

Residents could suggest things like facade materials and types of street trees, but it’s unlikely the plans will change much.  Continue Reading

Primaries for registered Democrats and Republicans around the city are Tuesday, May 21 in an election that could reshape city politics for years to come.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow. You can find your polling place by going here.

The mayor’s seat and all 17 City Council seats (10 district and 7 at-large) are up for election this year. And in Philadelphia, where Democrats dominate local politics, most races are decided in the primaries.

Instead of providing an exhaustive list of candidates, we have decided to provide links to folks who have compiled a variety of perspectives.  Continue Reading

       Photo from bicyclecoalition.org

The annual Ride of Silence to raise awareness of cycling safety and honor those killed in bicycle accidents will take place Wednesday, May 15 beginning at 6:45 p.m. at the base of the Philadelphia Art Museum steps.

The 8-mile ride will proceed down Benjamin Franklin Parkway, around City Hall and across the Walnut Street Bridge into West Philly before returning to the Art Museum. It should last about an hour.

Five cyclists have been killed in the Delaware Valley over the past year, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.  Continue Reading