The University City District‘s annual report released this week shows that an upward trend in construction that began in 2021 will icrease dramatically in 2023, with more square footage of commercial and residential development under construction than in any year since the report began in 2002.

The “State of University City,” a yearly snapshot of development trends in the area roughly bounded by the Schuylkill River to the east, 50th Street to the west, Market Street/Powelton Avenue/Spring Garden Street to the north and Woodland Avenue/University Avenue to the south, also shows a slight increase in public transit use compared to last year. But ridership is still roughly half that of pre-Pandemic levels on trolleys and the Market-Frankford Line. Continue Reading

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (center) displays a facsimile sign along with Vernoca L. Michael (left), former executive director of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance/Paul Robeson House and Museum; Janice Sykes-Ross (right), executive director, and former Councilmember Jannie Blackwell (far right).

The draping came down on a new street sign at the corner of 50th and Walnut Streets Friday morning as the 4900 block of Walnut Street became “Paul L. Robeson Way.”

Dozens of local officials, including Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, neighbors and supporters of the Paul Robeson House and Museum were on hand for the street-renaming ceremony near 4951 Walnut, where Robeson lived with his sister Marian Forsythe for the last 10 years of his life. He died in 1976.

“Paul Robeson became one of the most devoted fighters at home and abroad,” said Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier, who introduced resolutions in City Council renaming the block and designating April 9 as “Paul Robeson Day.” “He did this during a time when racists regularly lynched people who looked like him for speaking out against injustice.” Continue Reading

The Portland Loo (portlandloo.com).

How many of you had to run from Clark Park to the Green Line Cafe across the street to use their bathroom? Well, soon you won’t have to anymore as the city is planning to install a permanent public restroom at the park, according to reports.

Philadelphia’s first Portland Loo, the public ADA-accessible modular toilet designed and first-installed in its namesake city in Oregon, is currently being installed in Center City at 15th and Arch. The second Loo is expected to arrive in Clark Park later this year, in the summer or fall, according to a report in Billy Penn.

The City is working with the Friends of Clark Park on this project. As you may know, FCP has been working on the new Master Plan for the park since last year. Public restroom installation is an important part of this plan since it was the most requested amenity by local residents, according to the Master Plan survey results. Continue Reading

UPDATE (4/13/2023): Here’s a short update on the new Apple TV show, Catamount, filming in Philadelphia, including some West Philly neighborhoods. The show was filmed in Clark Park this past Tuesday, according to Amy Johnson, the unit publicist for the show. The next episode starts filming on Monday, April 17, and filming is not expected to take place in West Philly at this time. Overall, filming of Catamount is expected to continue through May 4, 2023.

(4/3/2023): Filming of a new Apple TV show, Catamount, continues in West Philly, and has expanded to new locations. This Tuesday, the filming crew will be working on Pine Street, from 48th to 51st. “No Parking” signs were posted over the weekend along the street, and cars were being towed today from these blocks in preparation for filming, which is expected to take place up until 11 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4.

Filming predominantly took place in the area of 44th/45th and Spruce since February, but is expected to expand as far west as 57th and Market. We’ll post more details when they are available.

The two plans under consideration for Woodland Avenue near the intersection with Chester Avenue and down to 42nd Street.

Traffic lights and crosswalks are coming to the section of Woodland Avenue near The Woodlands cemetery and the intersection with Chester Avenue.

Visitors to The Woodlands know that crossing Woodland Avenue at the awkward intersection at Chester or the trolley portal can get a little dicey. But a new plan unveiled last night at a Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) meeting will slow traffic along Woodland and close down the little section of 41st Street that often baffles drivers and pedestrians alike.

“The whole project is about user safety, whether you’re a pedestrian, a cyclist or a driver,” Julie Bush of the landscape architecture firm Ground Reconsidered told the SHCA board. Continue Reading

HopePHL’s first community Program Fair, held on March 29, was a “resounding success,” according to the organizers, and connected Philadelphia youth, families and community members with vital programs and services. The fair showcased all the programs and teams from People’s Emergency Center and Youth Service, Inc. now available from one organization. People of all ages and backgrounds learned about the different programs available, asked questions, and enrolled in programs on the spot.

More than 100 guests attended the event. The fair featured 17 programs for different needs, like computer classes, family reunification, youth emergency shelter, and supports for families experiencing homelessness. Attendees had the chance to meet the teams behind the programs, win special prizes, and enjoy snacks and fun – including an ice sculpting demonstration from West Philly’s own Ice Sculpture Philadelphia. Continue Reading