It looks like the empty lot at 224 S. 44th Street sitting between two row homes just south of Walnut will not be empty much longer. A request has been submitted to the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment by the owners to obtain a permit for construction of a four-unit residential building. The new building is being proposed as a semi-detached structure.

The plan for the building was presented to the Spruce Hill Community Association’s Zoning Board earlier this week, and will most likely be back before the SCHA Zoning Board at their next meeting in July, according to SCHA Zoning Chair Barry Grossbach. “We are at a preliminary stage on the 44th Street project,” he wrote in an e-mail.

We’ll keep you posted about the next meeting since community feedback is always welcome on new development projects in Spruce Hill.

The public is invited to attend tonight’s Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) Zoning Committee meeting to learn more about new development projects in the area. Some of the projects on the agenda (see below) were presented at earlier meetings, and this is an opportunity for community members to ask questions or provide comments. The meeting will take place at the SCHA office (257 S. 45th St), beginning at 7 p.m.

The meeting will discuss the following three projects:

• Apartment building at 4045 Baltimore (see rendering): Presentation and discussion of façade materials for use at this apartment complex under construction. This project was presented for the community last year and submitted for approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment at the end of 2017.  Continue Reading

Orens Brothers discussing their plans for the 4400 block of Chestnut in 2015 (archived photo).

It appears that local developers, Orens Brothers, are ready to move forward with their plans for a major redevelopment of a portion of the 4400 block of Chestnut Street and South 44th Street between Chestnut and Market that were first presented in 2015.

The Spruce Hill Community Association’s Zoning Committee will hold a public zoning meeting tonight at 7 p.m. where the proposal to create a six-story apartment building with commercial ground floor spaces, a fitness center, a meeting room for residents and a garage will be discussed. The proposal involves relocating lot lines to create one lot from several lots. The project has been on hold while title was secured for some key properties.  Continue Reading

Residents are invited to the monthly Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) Board meeting tonight at the SHCA center at 257 S. 45th St, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Representatives from Penn will be at the meeting to provide updates on current events and plans, including Glenn Bryan, Assistant Vice President of Community Relations, Ed Datz, Executive Director of Real Estate, and Maureen Rush, Vice President for Public Safety and Superintendent of the Penn Police department.

Regular committee updates and May Fair planning are also on the agenda.  Continue Reading

Residents are invited to a Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) Zoning Committee meeting on Monday, Feb. 12 to learn more about the residential complex proposed for green space on Penn’s campus next to Walnut Street West Library on 40th Street (see rendering). University of Pennsylvania announced plans for the new, 250,000-square-foot undergraduate college house in the fall.

While zoning is not in question for this development, according to SHCA Zoning Committee Chair Barry Grossbach, current law requires that this project be brought to the convening RCO (Registered Community Organization) prior to submission and review by the Committee for Design Review at the city Planning Commission. Representatives from the Penn’s offices of architecture and management will be present to discuss the project.  Continue Reading

Mark Wagenveld photographed in Clark Park in 2011 (Photo from Spruce Hill Community Association Facebook page).

UPDATE (2/1/2018): A memorial service for Mark Wagenveld will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church at 412 Pine St. Visitation will be from 9:45-10:45 a.m., with a service to follow at 11 a.m.

Longtime Spruce Hill community leader and retired Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Mark Wagenveld passed away on Saturday at the age of 73.

We got to know Mark in his role as president of the Spruce Hill Community Association and a mentor of sorts who took an interest in West Philly Local soon after we began publishing in 2010. He always had solid news tips and words of encouragement for us.

We also know him as the driving force behind the May Fair in Clark Park and the Halloween Parade. Mark became active in community work soon after his retirement from the Inquirer in 2005, according to Barry Grossbach, his friend and colleague in the Spruce Hill Community Association.

“Sometimes we don’t fully appreciate a person’s contribution or importance while they are around,” Grossbach wrote. “Not so with Mark. Everyone knew what he did and what he meant to our community. And everyone will be the poorer for his absence.”  Continue Reading