Mosaic Community Church, 123 S. 51st St.

West Philly organizations and community groups have a chance to receive grants of up to $6,000 for their projects. Three years ago, as part of a capital campaign to raise money to renovate their new property at 51st and Sansom, Mosaic Community Church committed to give away 10 percent of all of the money raised to organizations who are doing good work in West Philly neighborhoods. This commitment turned into the Building It Together (BIT) Grant Program. This year, Mosaic’s BIT Grant Program has $26,000 to give away and invites local nonprofits and community organizations to apply.

The BIT Grant Program is comprised of two distinct funding opportunities:  Continue Reading

Demolition crews were finishing off the University City High School building last week as plans for “uCity Square” were announced.

As demolition crews finish off University City High School along 36th Street between Filbert and Warren, officials from the University City Science Center and developers Wexford Science and Technology unveiled the planned office and lab complex “uCity Square” that will take its place.

The 4-million-square-foot project will include a cluster of glassy lab and office buildings with commercial and retail space that will border 37th Street to the west and Lancaster Avenue and Market Street to the north and south. The site will also house an “urban grocery store,” fitness center and parking, according to the announcement made earlier this week.  Continue Reading

Twins at 4300-4306 Osage Avenue.

The city Historical Commission’s Committee on Historic Designation recommended on Wednesday adding the Second Empire style twins at the 43rd and Osage and the south side of the 3600 block of Lancaster Avenue, both eyed by developers, to the Register of Historic Places.

Proposals for both properties now move to the Historical Commission for final approval scheduled for Oct. 9. Placement on the Historic Register stipulates that the commission “must review all proposals that require a building permit and/or that would alter the appearance of the historic resource prior to the commencement of work,” according to the commission website.  Continue Reading

While many were out and about this evening enjoying the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, a blown transformer caused a fire near 46th and Hazel, according to various reports. The fire was reported shortly before 8 p.m.:

Seems to be a fire on an electrical pole on 46th & hazel @WestPhillyLocal @WestPhillyNews pic.twitter.com/4KfkyBvjj3

— Beth Patel (@bethannpatel) September 17, 2015

One witness said that the fire engulfed a car parked nearby. We’re trying to get more details.

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Committee on Historic Designation of the city’s Historical Commission will review some West Philadelphia buildings for nominations – at 4300-02 Osage Ave/4304-06 Osage Ave and 3600-3630 Lancaster Avenue. Historic designation will help prevent demolition of the buildings and new development on the sites. The Advisory Committee meeting will be held in Room 578 in City Hall, starting at 9:30 a.m., and public support of the nominations is encouraged. Here’s more information on the buildings:

Satterlee Heights – 4300-02/4304-06 Osage Avenue

The three-story five-bedroom Victorian home at 4300-02 was purchased by Osage Realty Investment for $725,000 in May, 2015. The property has a large yard sloping down toward 43rd St. and that preservation advocates fear will become a building site if it is not saved by the city. The Committee on Historic Designation will consider for nomination this house and the adjoining twin at 4304-06 Osage Ave.

Lancaster Mews – 3600-30 Lancaster Avenue

Demolition of Lancaster Mews, a group of historic red-brick apartment buildings on the 3600 block of Lancaster Avenue, has already been proposed. As was reported in May, the owner, AP Construction, was preparing to sell the block-long row of buildings and was interviewing demolition contractors. A community meeting hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell was also held in May to discuss the future of the block. Residents and business owners who gathered at the meeting vowed to save the historic block from demolition (read more about the meeting here). The buildings at 3600-30 Lancaster Ave date back to 1870’s and also host neighborhood businesses.

Starting this week, The Food Trust‘s healthy food incentive program, Philly Food Bucks, will be available at a West Philly location of The Fresh Grocer (56th and Chestnut). Philly Food Bucks offers free-food coupons to SNAP participants who use their ACCESS card at area farmers’ markets (if you spend $5 in food stamps, you get $2 extra to spend on more fruits and vegetables at the market). With funding from the USDA’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant program, The Food Trust now has the opportunity to expand this model in other retail settings in Philadelphia and across the state.

“We’ve seen firsthand the impact Philly Food Bucks has at our regional network of farmers’ markets, allowing customers to make healthier decisions while sticking to their budget,” says Yael Lehmann, Executive Director of The Food Trust. “This grant allows us to offer the same opportunity in additional retail settings, like corner stores and supermarkets, to help more people bring home fresh, affordable food for their families.”

In addition to increasing the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants, this expanded Food Bucks program will benefit local farmers as well as local grocery businesses.

The promotion will run Sept. 13-Oct. 17 and will be available only at The Fresh Grocer at 56th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia. During this period, Price Plus® club card members who use their ACCESS card will receive a $2 digital coupon for every $5 they spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.