January 5, 2017
New Hamilton Court streetscape rendering.
In August 2016, the Post Brothers, the real estate company that has acquired a number of residential properties in University City in the past year, revealed their plans and renderings for the renovation of the historic Hamilton Court apartment complex at 39th and Chestnut Streets. Currently, the company is in the process of making upgrades to Hamilton Court, which was one of Philadelphia’s first apartment buildings when it was built in 1901. The renovations include the conversion of vacant ground-floor space into modern commercial retail spaces, which will be occupied by five dining establishments.
On Wednesday, the developers revealed the restaurants that signed leases for those spaces. Here they are:
• Steve’s Prince of Steaks, one of Philadelphia’s most famous cheesesteak restaurant chains, has signed a lease for 2,277 square feet. Continue Reading
January 4, 2017
Forty-six people were injured this afternoon when two trolleys collided near 38th and Lancaster in Powelton, according to SEPTA and media reports. Two Route 10 trolleys were traveling in the same direction when one rear-ended the other, according to a report by Metro. The incident was reported at around 1:30 p.m.
Fortunately, none of the injuries is life-threatening, according to SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch. Some of the injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The trolleys were traveling at low speeds when they collided. Among those injured were the two trolley drivers.
One of the trolleys sustained damage in the collision, Metro reports.
January 4, 2017
Scribe Video Center, the West Philly-based non-profit organization with a nearly 35-year-old history, is moving from 42nd and Chestnut to a new location this month. Beginning Jan. 17, Scribe will be located at 4035 Walnut St., according to information posted on the organization’s website and social media pages.
Here are some other exciting news and happenings at Scribe, which offers film screenings and educational opportunities to individuals and communities who want to learn media making and explore the use of video.
Last month, Scribe received a $25,000 Art Works grant for 2017 from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant will go towards a collaborative project, curated by Patricia R. Zimmermann, to highlight community-produced media work from across the country. The goal of the project is to collect works of artistic and historical value and then go on tour with the exhibits. Continue Reading
December 22, 2016
Seven schools and many families living in the federally-designated Promise Zone will benefit from a $30 million, multi-year grant to a consortium led by Drexel University. Drexel President John Fry, Mayor Jim Kenney, Superintendent Dr. William Hite, community members and area elected officials gathered at Morton McMichael Elementary School on Wednesday to announce that the community has won the 2016 Promise Neighborhoods Program Implementation Grant Competition.
The grant provides up to $30 million over five years. The $6 million award that was announced yesterday provides the first year of funding. Some $76 million in matching funds have also been secured from the City and area non-profits, including the William Penn and Lenfest Foundations.
The grant will provide “enrichment” for families living in the Promise Neighborhood, which mirrors the boundaries of the Promise Zone and stretches from the Schuylkill River to 48th Street, and from Girard Avenue to Sansom Street (see map). The grant will also support the following schools: Belmont Charter (K-4); Locke Elementary (K-8); Morton McMichael Elementary (K-8); Martha Washington Elementary (K-8); Samuel Powel Elementary (K-4); SLA Middle School (5-8) and West Philadelphia High School (9-12), according to a Drexel statement. Continue Reading
December 21, 2016
A deadly shooting took place in West Philadelphia late Tuesday when a man was shot multiple times while sitting in a parked car near 51st and Market, according to police. The shooting happened shortly after 1 a.m. on Dec. 21. Police say an unidentified male opened the passenger side door of a black 2015 Toyota Camry and shot the driver, a man in his 20’s or 30’s, multiple times in the head at close range.
Chief Inspector Scott Small told CBS Philly that the victim was shot at least five times with a semi-automatic weapon. Police believe this was a targeted shooting. The investigation continues.
December 14, 2016
A fire broke out early Wednesday afternoon underground, reportedly after a gas leak, near 49th and Windsor and caused evacuations of nearby homes, according to neighbor and media reports. The fire was seen coming out of a manhole and reaching as high as six feet. Firefighters responded to the scene, and shuttle buses replaced trolleys due to the fire.
UPDATE: Two SEPTA workers were hospitalized with 1st and 2nd degree burns following the fire, according to reports.
SEPTA and PGW were doing some work in the area this morning, according to neighbor reports, but it’s not clear whether the fire was caused by this. The Philadelphia Fire Department is investigating the cause of the gas leak.
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