Here’s some information on the annual Spruce Street closures that help accommodate Penn students moving to campus after the summer break. This year, a portion of the street will be closed to all vehicles, including bicycles, on select days between Monday, Aug. 18 and Sunday, Aug. 23, for student move-in and some construction projects, according to the University of Pennsylvania Division of Public Safety. Here are more details:

August 18, 19, and 20:

• Spruce Street will be closed from 34th to 38th Street between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Continue Reading

47th Street near Pine on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

UPDATE (8/14/25): A portion of 47th Street has been converted to a one-way street and vehicles now travel north only between Chestnut St. and Baltimore Ave. The one-way portion of the street has one lane of traffic with parking lanes on both sides and a southbound bike lane on the left side, separated by the parking lane. Work will continue in the next several days to convert the remaining portion of the street between Baltimore Ave. and Kingsessing Ave.

Continue Reading

There are some exciting updates regarding the “Clark Park Plan,” which provides an outline for park development and investments. Approved by the city in 2023, the plan includes improvements such as new multi-age playgrounds, a multi-height basketball hoop, a permanent bathroom, an outdoor workout area, new walkways, and more.

On Saturday, Aug. 16 from 2-3 p.m., the Friends of Clark Park will be hosting a celebration where community members can learn more about upcoming improvements at the park and kick off the playground design process. There will be multiple speakers, including Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, State Rep. Rick Krajewski, Mayor Cherelle Parker (or a representative), a representative from Parks and Recreation, and Friends of Clark Park president Ben Sirolly.

Continue Reading

The Kingsessing Pool, which was closed for renovation for more than two years, has just reopened to the public. The public outdoor pool, located at 49th and Kingsessing, is open for free swim from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. Family/adult swim is on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The pool renovation project is part of the extensive renovation of the Kingsessing Rec Center, conducted by Rebuild Philadelphia, the city-run program that invests millions of dollars in improving community spaces and facilities. The Kingsessing Library has also been recently renovated as part of this project.

Continue Reading

Made West, the West Philly hub of Made Institute, is relaunching under a new name and offering updated classes and curriculum in a revamped space at 4719 Pine Street.

Community members are invited on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 6 – 9 p.m., to celebrate the relaunch of West Workshop. There will be live music, drinks and sewing class giveaways. This is a great opportunity to network with West Workshop’s community of local creatives, teachers, students, artists and designers.

West Workshop is the sister studio of Made Institute, Philadelphia’s independent fashion design school with over a decade of experience. It creates accessible and inclusive sewing classes and workshops. With a deep appreciation for West Philly, the director, Thomas Rowe of Chrysalis Clothing, has been creating garments for local West Philly craft shows and fairs selling upcycled clothing and connecting with the local community since 2022.

Continue Reading

Here’s a short update on the demolition work that recently began on the 4700 block of Spruce street to make way for a 13-story mixed-use building.

The developer began work at the site in late May/early June with an expired demolition permit. The Department of Licenses and Inspections ordered work at the site to stop on June 6 by issuing an “Order to Correct”, which required the developer to obtain a new permit. The developer obtained a new permit on June 24 for “full demolition to create a vacant lot.” Since then the demolition notice has been posted on the site and the work is expected to resume shortly (see photo).

As a reminder, a 13-story apartment building will be built on the site, between the Garden Court community garden and the intersection of 48th and Spruce. It will include ground floor retail space and 170 mostly studio and one-bedroom apartments and  have 28 underground parking spaces. Read more about this project here.