Residents of the University City Townhomes, which are surrounded by high-priced properties near 40th and Market, have been told they have to leave the affordable housing complex so it can be sold to developers.

Residents of the University City Townhomes at 40th and Market, an island of affordable housing amid the frenzied development surrounding the University of Pennsylvania, have been told by the property’s owners that they will have to move to make way for more development. But City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and other elected officials stood with residents during a press conference to say they will fight for residents to stay.

“We are here to sound the alarm,” Gauthier said at a press conference at the complex on Thursday. “Considering the history of this site and the scarcity of affordable housing, it’s hard to fully capture in words what an injustice this is.” Continue Reading

The development boom along the 4200 block of Chestnut Street will continue with a seven-story, 102-unit building that will likely begin construction early next year.

Developers presented the plan to the Spruce Hill zoning committee last night as part of the city’s Civic Design Review process required for buildings of a certain size and use. But neither the SHCA nor the city itself has much oversight over the “by right” project, the second major “by right” project on that block this year. A 278-unit building is underway nearby at the former site of the Christ Memorial Church at 43rd and Chestnut.  Continue Reading

Artist’s rendering of the proposed seven-story apartment building at 40th and Market Streets.

The Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee got a first look at a project that will likely reshape the bustling 4000 block of Market Street.

A seven-story, 42-unit apartment building with ground floor commercial space is proposed for the southwest corner of 40th and Market, right on top of one of the busiest Market-Frankford El stops in West Philly. The project would require the demolition of two properties, currently occupied by a Crown Chicken and Royal Donuts.  Continue Reading

Healthcare center at 4237 Walnut Street where a marijuana dispensary may be coming.

A medical marijuana dispensary licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health is being proposed at 4237 Walnut Street. A current operation is in Plymouth Meeting and the health care facility (ILERA Health Care) is interested in a West Philadelphia location, according to Spruce Hill Zoning Committee Chair Barry Grossbach.

Residents are invited this upcoming Monday, Aug. 19 to the monthly Spruce Hill community zoning meeting to learn more about this proposal and others. An application for a zoning variance hasn’t been filed yet, according to Grossbach, and the meeting is informational only at this time. “The company has indicated an interest in maximum transparency on how such a facility operates given the newness of this operation,” Grossbach wrote in an email announcement. The site at 43rd and Walnut has served as a Rite Aid and as home to a variety of health related operators before.  Continue Reading

SEPTA is presenting an open information meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, on improvements planned for 40th and Market St. Station. This is a great chance to learn more about the project, which will address ADA and some other improvements at the station. The 40th St Station ADA Accessibility Project is expected to begin this winter and will take more than a year to complete – through Spring 2017, according to SEPTA. The project broke ground earlier this month.

The scope of the project includes the following work at the station and in the adjacent area:

• Installation of a machine roomless elevator on the NW & SE corners of 40th & Market Streets
• Installation of new headhouse covering to all four stairs accessing the station
• Installation of new restrooms in the subway level
• Reconstruction of new city sidewalks within work area
• Installation of new informational signage
• Installation of new doors, gates and architectural enhancements

The meeting will take place at Oshiver Hall, 3901 Market St., beginning at 6 p.m.