In a moving tribute to local history and grassroots activism, community members, family, and local leaders gathered yesterday along Market Street to celebrate the ceremonial renaming of its 3600 block as “Walt Palmer-Black Bottom Way.”

Organized to honor the life, activism, and enduring legacy of Dr. Walter Palmer, the street renaming recognizes both an individual who spent decades fighting for civil rights and the historic Black Bottom neighborhood that was largely erased by 20th-century urban development.

During the ceremony, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier presented Dr. Palmer with an official City Council resolution formally recognizing “Black Bottom” as the original and historical name for this section of West Philadelphia.

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State and city leaders gathered this morning to officially open the doors to the new home of PA CareerLink® West Philadelphia. Formerly located at 3901 Market Street, the full-service career center has relocated to 5548 Chestnut Street, Suite 101, placing comprehensive employment and workforce development resources directly accessible to neighborhood residents.

The relocation marks a significant step forward in expanding access to career opportunities across the city. By bringing free workforce services into the heart of West Philadelphia, local officials and workforce leaders aim to bridge the gap between job seekers and local employers, making career growth more accessible where community members live and commute.

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A new $20 million affordable housing development for seniors officially opened Tuesday at 6227 Catharine St. Community members and local leaders joined the Church of Christian Compassion for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Compassion Senior Living, which offers 38 independent-living apartments for adults aged 62 and older.

The Church of Christian Compassion developed the property in part to create an opportunity for older residents to remain connected to the neighborhoods and community they know as they age. Demand for the project has been high: 37 of the 38 units are already occupied, with roughly 65 percent of current residents having previously lived in West or Southwest Philadelphia. The community also includes four dedicated units for seniors transitioning out of homelessness.

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The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) is expanding its School Library Program from 14 to 16 West Philadelphia elementary schools for the 2026–27 school year, widening access to open, functional libraries and literacy resources for local students.

WePAC relies on a volunteer-powered model to reopen and staff elementary school libraries across the area. Volunteers organize library operations, host weekly storytimes, and help students choose books that match their interests and reading levels. During the 2025–26 fiscal year, WePAC operated 14 school libraries, serving 3,388 students weekly, hosting 3,010 library sessions, and circulating 38,609 books with the help of 8,568 volunteer hours.

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The Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) is launching a series of property tax assessment workshops across West and Southwest Philadelphia to help residents navigate rising property values and secure available tax relief, including the low-income property tax freeze.

The first two workshops take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Transfiguration Baptist Church (3732 Fairmount Ave) and Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Belmont Charter School (4030 Brown St). Additional workshops across neighboring communities will be announced in the coming weeks.

Following recent citywide property reassessments conducted by the City Office of Property Assessments, many Philadelphia homeowners are facing higher property value evaluations—and potentially larger tax bills. Recognizing the financial pressure this places on local families, Councilmember Gauthier’s office is bringing resources directly into neighborhoods to ensure residents take full advantage of city assistance programs.

During the workshops, attendees will receive one-on-one assistance with their property assessment, tax relief, and estate planning.

Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) and the University of Pennsylvania have officially launched the Penn-CCP Entrepreneurship Academy, a new initiative designed to drive economic growth and support small businesses across West Philadelphia.

The program was announced on Thursday during a signing ceremony and open house at CCP’s Career and Advanced Technology Center, featuring leaders from both institutions, local official representatives, and program leadership (see photo).

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