Philly Bike Action, the non-profit organization advocating for safer bike lanes in the city, is planning a group ride through the neighborhood to celebrate the new protected bike lane on South 47th Street, according to the group’s announcement. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who worked on the 47th Street redesign project with community members and organizations, is expected to participate in the event as well.

The ride is expected to begin at 9:20 a.m. at Clark Park (gathering starts at 9:00) and the approximately 4-mile long route will include the 47th, 48th, Walnut and Chestnut bike lanes. If you want to join in, RSVP here.

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Starting Sunday, Sept. 14, SEPTA will restore full service, including the 20 percent Bus and Metro cuts implemented on Aug. 24, according to an announcement. But SEPTA will also reinstate the 20 percent system-wide fare increase, which was put on hold earlier this month. New schedule and service information will be posted on SEPTA’s website at septa.org.

SEPTA’s service will be restored for the next two years thanks to $394 million state capital assistance from The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), which was approved yesterday after SEPTA’s request. Thanks to this funding and the additional revenue from the fare increase, SEPTA is planning to implement its new bus network and support the major events coming to Philadelphia in 2026.

“This is not the long-term funding solution we need to address our $213 million budget deficit,” SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer said in a statement. “But over the last two weeks, we have seen the devastating effects of the service cuts on our customers. Our riders deserve better, and they deserve stability.”

Mural Arts Philadelphia, in partnership with the Office of Council Member Curtis Jones, Jr., has unveiled a new mural, titled Legacy of Leadership, at 110 N. 63rd Street, just north of Market. The huge mural, which is visible from 63rd Street, is designed by prominent Philadelphia-based artist Gabe Tiberino and dedicated to the “Fathers of West Philadelphia.” It features portraits of men who have made a lasting impact on the community – community organizers, public servants, and leaders:

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Wonder, a new kind of food hall which lets customers enjoy dishes from some of the world’s best chefs and award-winning restaurants in one order, is opening its newest location in University City next week. This will be Wonder’s third location in Philadelphia and eighth in the greater Philadelphia region.

Wonder allows customers to order from multiple restaurants in a single transaction, with all items prepared fresh in one location. The University City kitchen will feature the full roster of Wonder’s chef partners, including Bobby Flay, Jose Andres, and Marcus Samuelsson, all of which are available for dine-in, pickup or delivery through Wonder’s app throughout University City.

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SEPTA is restoring some bus and trolley routes used most by students, thanks to a subsidy from the city.

As the new school year began for Philadelphia public school students on Aug. 25, so did SEPTA service cuts, which reduced service up to 20 percent on most bus routes and eliminated some of them.

SEPTA announced that beginning Sept. 2, more buses and trolleys will be added to the following routes to improve their frequency:

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An artist’s rendering of the proposed parking garage at 41st and Filbert (Images courtesy of ISA). 

A five-story parking garage is coming to 41st and Filbert (one block north of Market Street) as part of the life sciences and commercial office campus that has been built in the area over the past several years. A Civic Design Review hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2.

“5.0 University Place” will include 495 parking spaces with a special, secured section of 29 spaces reserved for vehicles connected to the new Philadelphia Police Department forensics lab, which will be housed nearby in 3.0 University Place at 41st and Market.

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