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Green improvements planned for Malcolm X Park; Community meeting tonight

July 12, 2017

Here’s some great news for Malcolm X Park and neighborhood residents. The Philadelphia Water Department is working on bringing green improvements to the park, which will include specially designed tree systems that will help manage local stormwater while adding new green features to the park’s square located at 52nd and Pine.

Residents are invited to learn more about this initiative at tonight’s community meeting organized by the Water Department and the Friends of Malcolm X Park. The meeting will be held at the park, beginning at 6 p.m. weather permitting, but will move to Lois’ Learning Tree (430 S. 52nd St.) in the event of rain.

The planned improvements are a part of the city’s Green City, Clean Waters program, which uses landscaped green tools to improve neighborhoods and protect local waterways from stormwater pollution.

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Fire under control at 52nd and Baltimore (updated)

July 12, 2017

Baltimore Ave fire site Wednesday afternoon (Photo West Philly Local).

Emergency responders have a fire at 52nd and Baltimore under control. The fire was reported at a donut shop and Million Dollars store near 52nd and Baltimore shortly after 8 a.m. The 34 trolley was operating with shuttle buses.

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A taste of Argentina – Jezabel’s Studio – opens Wednesday on 45th St. near Walnut

July 11, 2017

Chef Jezabel Careaga, a native of Argentina whose Jezabel’s Café at 26th and Pine has been named one of Philly’s best “under-the-radar breakfast places,” is bringing her empanadas, alfajores, specially made mate tea and coffee to an intimate storefront near 45th and Walnut.

Jezabel Careaga, chef-owner of Jezabel’s.

Jezabel’s Studio will open tomorrow, July 12, at 208 S. 45th St. At only 400 square feet, Jezabel’s Studio will definitely not be a place to park with your laptop. But Careaga is making the most of the space, which includes a small indoor sitting area (there are a couple of seats on the sidewalk too).

Offerings will include a variety of her signature empanadas (yes, they have a vegan option) as well as alfajores, Argentine shortbread cookies that are filled with dulce de leche and rolled in coconut shavings.  Continue Reading

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Reminder: SEPTA fares to increase starting July 1

June 29, 2017

Here’s a reminder that SEPTA fare increases will go into effect on Saturday, July 1, 2017, the start of the new fiscal year. Fares will increase across all modes of transportation and methods of payment.

SEPTA cash fare will go up to $2.50 from $2.25; single rides with a token/SEPTA Key Travel Wallet will increase to $2.00 from $1.80. Transfers will remain at $1. Here’s a summary of changes to some of the most widely used fare payment methods. The full details are available on the SEPTA website.

• Cash Fare/Quick Trip: Increase from $2.25 to $2.50
• Discounted single ride with SEPTA Key Travel Wallet/Token: From $1.80 to $2
• Disabled Fare: From $1 to $1.25
• Paratransit/Shared Ride: $4 to $4.25
• Weekly TransPass: From $24 to $25.50 (up to 56 trips for one customer)  Continue Reading

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Developer of multi-billion-dollar ‘Schuylkill Yards’ pledges funds for affordable housing, job training, minority businesses

June 28, 2017

The developers of Schuylkill Yards, the $3.5 billion commercial and residential development near 30th Street Station, announced this week that they will spend $5.6 million on community initiatives, including affordable housing.

Brandywine Realty Trust’s “Neighborhood Engagement Initiative” will focus on local job creation and training, supporting local and minority-owned businesses and building affordable housing. The firm pledged to provide $3.1 million toward housing and job training in the first phase of Schuylkill Yards development, set to begin this summer.

Curbed Philadelphia reports that the $3.1 million will go into a community fund to be shared between the nearby Powelton Village and Mantua neighborhoods for housing projects. Brandywine will also provide $500,000 to the Enterprise Center to help develop minority-owned businesses. Other plans include providing funding for the Construction Apprentice Preparatory Program to help local workers prepare for jobs in the construction industry.

Schuylkill Yards will include 6.9 million square feet of new commercial, retail and residential space on 14 acres stretching from 30th Street Station west to 33rd Street and from JFK Boulevard south to Chestnut. It is scheduled to be completed in two phases over the next two decades.

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Construction on Trolley Portal Gardens begins near 40th and Baltimore

June 27, 2017

The much anticipated construction of Trolley Portal Gardens, the project that will include a remodeled 40th Street Trolley portal, a public space and a restaurant, has begun. Philadelphia general contractor Domus will begin excavating the building foundation as early as the end of this week, according to Chris Richman, Communication Manager for University City District.

The work will spread to a larger area, called “the apron,” after the Trolley Tunnel Blitz concludes in mid-July.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Trolley Portal Gardens was held in December 2016, but it took some time to obtain necessary building permits. The last remaining permits were finalized earlier this month, according to the project websiteContinue Reading

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