Architect Nick Mansperger describes the new residence hall planned for site of the Alexander Wilson School to neighbors at a public meeting on the University of the Sciences campus.

Residents got their first glimpse last night at the University of the Sciences’ plan for the former Alexander Wilson School property at 46th and Woodland – a glassy 4- to 5-story dormitory over ground-floor retail and a open courtyard along Woodland Avenue.

The proposed new dorm, which will house about 400 students and replace residence facilities elsewhere on the campus, will be U-shaped with the open end of the U along Woodland. The university hopes to break ground for the building in December or January and open it to new students in the fall of 2018.

Along with concerns about parking and the choice of retail, residents on 46th Street were worried that the building would block sunlight for much of the day.  Continue Reading

New 3-story apartment building with ground floor retail space at 4619 Woodland Avenue (photos West Philly Local).

Commercial and residential changes in recent months are beginning to reshape a couple of blocks of Woodland Avenue a block from the south end of Clark Park. Here is a look at some of the developments:

• A boxy, 3-story apartment building next to Gold Star Pizza and Chicken with ground-floor retail at 4619 Woodland Ave. is complete. No businesses have opened in the storefronts yet, but the apartments upstairs, which are aimed at University of the Sciences students, are open for business. The retail rental seems pretty reasonable at $15 per square foot. The apartments range from two to five bedrooms and rents are reportedly running between $800 and $3,200 per month.

“Our vision for building in the University City area is to bring a higher quality of housing to neighborhoods, which may be in need of additional housing options,” Ashley George from HOW Properties, the property manager, told West Philly Local back in April 2014. “There is not an abundance of student housing in the University of the Sciences West Philadelphia corridor.”  Continue Reading

Update (9:30 am): Woodland Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets is still closed. Shuttle buses are operating from 49th and Woodland to 40th Street.

Oct. 7, 11:03 am: Philadelphia Water Department crews are out fixing a water main break at 43rd and Woodland this morning. Due to the break, the eastbound lane of Woodland Avenue is closed and the Route 36 and 11 trolleys are diverting onto Chester Avenue from 40th – 49th Streets. Some buildings in the area temporarily lost water service but it was restored by 9:10 a.m. Stay tuned for updates.

Mayor Michael Nutter is frequently spotted here in West Philly. Last week he cut the ribbon on the Dorrance Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises at 48th and Spruce and tomorrow he’s coming to inaugurate the Woodland Avenue Pedestrian Plaza at 42nd and Woodland. The Woodland Avenue plaza is a formerly neglected traffic triangle that has been transformed into a green area with bistro tables and umbrellas thanks to a partnership between University City District, the Mayor’s Office of Transportation, and the Philadelphia Streets Department.

All are welcome to join the Mayor and other stakeholders at the dedication of the plaza, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Complimentary treats will be served by Little Baby’s Ice Cream and Four Worlds Bakery.

At long last, Guacamole Mex-Grill (Facebook page) has opened its brightly painted storefront at 4612 Woodland Avenue. Judging by yesterday’s noontime crowd, the eat-in/take-out taqueria has already become a popular choice for folks who live and work in the area around the University of the Sciences of Philadelphia. Guacamole is owned and operated by the de Luna family, whose food expertise stems from their grandmother’s mole (pronounced MO-lay) business in Mexico. As a mole aficionado, I’d been looking forward to trying it. The quality food, quick service, and colorful setting will no doubt draw a dedicated following.

In casual style, you order at the register — the food arrives quickly and packaged to go. With only 15-18 seats in the dining room, there is not a lot of room to sit, so if it’s peak lunch or dinner, don’t rule out take-out. Tacos, tortas, tostadas, and gorditas come with one of four basic fillings, priced from $5.50 to around $7.50. We ordered carne asada tostadas ($6.50 for two) and gorditas al pastor ($6.50). The grilled beef carne asada was flavorful, but the al pastor — marinated, grilled pork chopped with pineapple and chiles — was a revelation. It was seriously delicious, and next time I’ll order torta al pastor: mexican pork sandwich on a Portuguese roll. The mole poblano on the chicken enchiladas ($8.50, platter with rice, beans and salad) was rich, dark, and deeply flavored. Enchiladas also come with red or green sauce, and all the variations on the taco/tostada theme are available with grilled vegetables. The chips ($.75) are real, deep fried, crunchy/salty tortilla chips, and the guacamole ($2.50) is about as good as the packaged kind from Trader Joe’s. If it’s your favorite topping, order it, but don’t come to Guacamole specifically for the Guac. Come for the mole.

Guacamole Mex-Grill features rich flavors but not intense spice. Order extra salsa if you need more heat. You can choose from a range of sodas, juices, or bottled water, but plain tap water is not served. The Mex-Grill is primarily a take-out joint, with a straightforward and familiar menu. Though some of us like to go BYO, Guacamole is not that kind of place. After less than a week in operation, the menu will continue to adapt to the tastes of the neighborhood, and is subject to change. For the time being, it’s great to have a locally owned, small scale alternative to the “mexican” chain restaurants.

– Jen