The portion of the 4400 block of Chestnut that would be the front of a new apartment complex on the 4400 block of Chestnut. The two buildings to the right of the gym would be demolished to make room. (Photo from Google Streetview)

West Philly-based property developers Orens Brothers presented a more detailed plan for a high-end, 150-unit complex on the 4400 block of Chestnut Street to the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee last night.

Orens Brothers, whose headquarters are in the current glass-fronted building at 4415 Chestnut, have been acquiring mostly vacant properties on that block, on 44th Street and Ludlow Street that they will demolish to make room for a planned five-story glass and brick building on Chestnut that would extend north to Ludlow and east to 44th (behind businesses near 44th and Chestnut). That building would connect via a covered walkway to another new building on the 4400 block of Ludlow.

Yep, it’s complicated. The complex would house 150 mostly two-bedroom, market-rate apartments. Fit Gym, which is located in the current building (and is also owned by the Orens Brothers) would be moved to the first floor of the Ludlow Street building. The plan also includes 1,500 square feet of commercial space along Chestnut Street that could accommodate a small café or deli. The proposal includes 65 off-street parking spots on the property.

Scott (right) and Guy Orens present plans for the project to the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee last night. (Photo by West Philly Local)

The Orens Brothers, who have developed several properties in West Philly including the Croydon building, offered some very preliminary ideas to the committee last month. This time was more formal and a dozen or so nearby residents were on hand to ask questions about parking, property taxes and time frames.

“It’s gentrification at its best,” said Darryl Thomas, the owner of Philly Cuts at 4409 Chestnut, who said he is not against the project but has many questions.

While the project will likely bring more activity to an area that includes a lot vacant lots and deteriorating properties, he and other wonder what impact it will have on the small businesses and single-family homes that are left standing nearby.

The project would be built on a patchwork of parcels and many will need variances for the project to go ahead. Nothing official was decided at last night’s meeting. There will be at least one more meeting with the zoning committee before the project goes before the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustments.

Last December we reported that the Subway restaurant at 4533 Baltimore Ave. closed down for an indefinite time. Four months later the restaurant is still closed and a sign appeared on the building saying that the space is being leased by Mallin Panchelli Nadel Realty, Inc.

The 1,100-square-foot space with a basement is reportedly offered for $2,500 a month (the listing with more information and photos is here). All the equipment, fixtures and furniture left after Subway are still there and available for purchase, according to the listing.

Prior to Subway this space was used by small local businesses. The news of Subway opening in the space in 2012 wasn’t taken well by some community residents (see photo below). The restaurant became a focal point of controversy in 2011 and 2012 (read more here).

After many years of wishful thinking, high hopes and false starts, bike-share bicycles will be unleashed on the streets of Philadelphia tomorrow.

The bike share service Indego officially kicks off with a “ride off” beginning at Eakins Oval tomorrow morning to launch the service. Tickets for those inaugural rides are sold out. But you can get a bike and do your own ride off tomorrow if you like.

An important note for folks around here, though – the stations planned for Clark Park, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 44th and Walnut near the Supremo Shop ‘n Bag and Mantua Haverford Community Center (39th and Mt. Vernon) are still listed as “coming soon” or “unavailable” rather than “active” on the map of stations around the city.

That leaves eight stations in West Philly open for business tomorrow. See the map here.

Workers were tearing down a residential building, a part of a twin, on the 4700 block of Walnut Street today. The Philadelphia Licences and Inspections office deemed the building at 4729 Walnut St “imminently dangerous” and ordered it to be demolished after parts of its roof, wall, ceiling and floor collapsed on Friday. The license type for the property indicates that it was vacant.

Today is the last day to register for the May 19 Primary Election, which will very likely determine the next mayor of the city.

You can find your registration status here.  More info on registration is available at the Committee of 70 site here and you can find your polling place for the primary here. Also, here is a Committee of 70 “one pager” (it’s actually two pages) on the Primary.

West Philly residents will soon have a new place where you can take trash and recyclables, including large household items, e-waste and Christmas trees. A new, more conveniently located Sanitation Convenience Center is opening at 5100 Grays Avenue on Wednesday, April 22, when the Earth Day is celebrated worldwide. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the center and Earth Day celebration will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, and local residents are encouraged to come out and celebrate.

The facility was specifically designed for the needs of West Philadelphia residents.

In conjunction with the celebration of Earth Day, the Philadelphia Streets Department will offer information on maintaining litter free communities, recycling education and the Recycling Rewards Program. Representatives from the Streets Department’s Sanitation Division will be on hand to distribute educational materials and answer questions. Recycling bins and other giveaways will also be available.  Continue Reading