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

                     Spotted Lanternfly

The Woodlands Cemetery will be closed all day tomorrow, Tuesday, June 25 for tree work related to spotted lanternfly management. The USDA will be on the grounds performing the work.

Despite the gates being closed, The Woodlands staff will be in the office on Tuesday, so if anyone is visiting family buried there, please call 215-386-2181 for assistance.

The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive species native to East Asia. It causes serious damage to trees. It was found in Pennsylvania in 2014, and has since spread to 14 counties, including Philadelphia. These 14 counties are now quarantined to stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. A few adult lanternflies were spotted at The Woodlands last summer, according to executive director Jessica Baumert, and nymphs were spotted this summer.

For more information about the Spotted Lanternfly and what to do if you spot it, check out this Spotted Lanternfly Alert.

PennDOT will conduct an inspection of the University Avenue Drawbridge between Civic Center Blvd. and Gray’s Ferry Avenue from Tuesday, June 25 to Thursday, June 27 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams has announced.

Due to the inspection, the four-lane bridge that crosses the Schuylkill River will be closed intermittently to all traffic, with four 15 to 30 minute openings on each day of the inspection. While traffic will be allowed to flow between openings, drivers and pedestrians should expect multiple, extended delays throughout the three-day inspection process.  Continue Reading

Photo by Hanbit Kwon.

In response to public interest in the giant sinkhole caused by a sewer line break at 43rd and Baltimore earlier this month, the Philadelphia Water Department’s in-house historian Adam Levine will do a presentation on Mill Creek and the sewer project on Tuesday, June 25. Updates on the sinkhole repair work at the intersection of 43rd and Baltimore, which has been closed to traffic since June 4th, will also be provided.

The event will be held at USciences’ McNeil Science and Technology Center (Room 145) at 600 South 43rd Street from 6:15 to approximately 8:30 p.m.  Continue Reading

Kelly Pool in West Fairmount Park is opening this Wednesday.

Just in time for hot weather setting in, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is kicking off the 2019 pool season in the city. Over 70 outdoor city pools are open for recreation during the summer. Check with your neighborhood pool for days and times of open swim, family swim, adult swim, and swimming lessons. Please use this new online tool on the Parks & Rec website to find a pool near you.

We have also compiled information on what pools are opening this week in West, Southwest Philly and Center City West (stay tuned for updates).  Continue Reading

It’s been more than a week since the large, nearly street-wide sinkhole opened up at the intersection of 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue as the result of a sewer line break. The sinkhole was not very visible on the surface but underneath the pavement it was around 400 square feet. Since last Tuesday, Water Department crews have been working to repair the street, but it may take another two to three weeks, according to PlanPhilly.com.

In the meantime, Baltimore Avenue between 42nd and 44th Streets remains closed to traffic. Buses continue to replace the Route 34 trolley on Baltimore Avenue, between 61st Street and 40th Street portal. Stay tuned for more updates.