Rendering of 4619 Woodland Avenue, courtesy of HOW Properties.

More apartment buildings are in the works on Woodland Avenue. West Philly Local already wrote about the plans to rehab the vacant Wilson Elementary school building at 46th and Woodland and turn it into a residential complex. There is another construction going on a little further west on Woodland, near 47th Street (thanks to readers who alerted us about it). So here’s what we found out about that project.

HOW Properties, a locally owned and operated real estate management firm, is constructing a three-story, 16-unit building at 4619 Woodland Avenue that will primarily serve the living needs of University of the Sciences’ (USP) students, HOW property manager Ashley George told West Philly Local. The 20,000 square foot complex will have a mix of two-, three-, four-, and five-bedrooms, with only one studio (and no one-bedrooms) available that range from $800 to $3,200 a month, although those prices may alter next year.

According to George, the company did not include one bedrooms in the Woodland Avenue complex based on feedback it received while conducting research prior to starting the project, which launched in February. Students, she said, expressed a want for units with multiple bedrooms.

“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,” George told West Philly Local. “There is not an abundance of student housing in the University of the Sciences West Philadelphia corridor.”

There is also one commercial retail space available on the ground floor. HOW Properties currently does not have a tenant marked for the space, but they are hoping to work with USP to “find a beneficial tenant for the area and the residents of the building.” ” We would also like to contribute great retail/commercial space to the areas and create opportunities for small businesses to succeed,” George told West Philly Local.

The project was originally slated to finish this August, but HOW decided to delay completion until next summer after hearing student feedback during an information session on USP’s campus last week. According to George, while the feedback was “responsive and excited,” many students also noted that they already signed leases for the 2014-2015 school year. HOW realized there was potential for not leasing apartments to students in time for August 2014, George said.

HOW Properties are also constructing other buildings in the University City area:  complexes at 3862 Lancaster Avenue, to be complete in August 2014, as well as 3221 Spring Garden Avenue and 4812 Baltimore Avenue, which will both be complete beginning of next month.

–Annamarya Scaccia

Photo from twentyfeetfromstardom.com.

Film Forward, a program of the Sundance Institute designed to enhance greater cultural understanding and collaboration, is bringing a couple of free events to West Philly this weekend.

Wynnefield Library (5325 Overbrook Avenue) will host a screening of the recent Academy Award winning documentary Twenty Feet From Stardom on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. The film is about people whose voices are familiar to millions of people, but no one knows their names – backup singers behind some of the greatest musical acts of the 21st century. The screening will be followed by a discussion.

On Sunday, April 13, also at 1 p.m., International House Philadelphia presents The Intersection of Film and Music, a workshop produced in partnership with Film Forward. The workshop explores the many roles music can play in the filmmaking process, how music can enhance or ruin a film, and many other questions related to the creative process of integrating music and filmmaking.

The documentary If You Build It will be used as a case study during the workshop. Peter Golub, Director of the Sundance Film Music Program and composer, and producer Christine O’Malley will discuss the film and its music. If You Build It charts the course of a year in the life of one of America’s most innovative classrooms. Go to ihousephilly.org for more information.

Do you visit The Woodlands whether it is for jogging, dog walking, nature or leisurely walks or other activities? Now you can be part of the Woodlands planning and have an impact on the future of this beautiful historical site.

The people involved with preservation and development of the Woodlands cemetery and mansion would like to hear from you. They have prepared a community survey asking about your use of The Woodlands as well as about your favorite places there. The information gathered will help make improvements to the site “that align with how our community enjoys the space.”

To fill out the survey, click here.

This summer, on June 5, The Woodlands is hosting the 3rd Annual Benefit, with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music and more. The benefit guests will get a chance to kick off the fully-funded $1 million project to preserve the Cryptoporticus (a covered gallery) and North Terrace, and peek into the basement servant’s quarters. For more information, visit The Woodlands website.

Photo from allen2014.com

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of Q&A’s with local political candidates. Next up is Allen’s opponent, incumbent Jim Roebuck.

You probably know Algernong Allen. Whether it’s as the former owner of Elena’s Soul or as a community activist, Algernong Allen is a household name around these parts.

Tonight, Allen, along with incumbent James Roebuck, will answer prepared questions and address community concerns in a Candidates’ Forum hosted by the Garden Court Community Association (GCCA). The forum will begin at 7 p.m. at the Community College of Philadelphia’s west campus (4725 Chestnut Street), and is open to the public. A food and networking event will precede the forum at 6 p.m.

Residents of the 188th District can also offer feedback and share their thoughts with Allen through a community survey he is currently hosting on his campaign site, allen2014.com. Click here to complete the survey.

As part of our political interviews series, West Philly Local had a chance to chat with Allen about his campaign, the issues most important to him, and what his vision is for the 188th District.

West Philly Local: Why are you running?

Algernong Allen: I am running to give back to a community that has given so much to me. As a father and husband living here, I am concerned about the condition of nearby schools for my daughter, the safety of our streets, and the deep poverty in some parts of our community. I’ve spent most of my life living right here, I’ve built a business here, and I’ve provided jobs here. I want to be a part of supporting a community vision of growth that respects our differences and acts on our common interests.  Continue Reading

Here’s another chance for young residents to speak out about the future of Philadelphia and how it can better meet their lifestyle needs. The West Philadelphia Financial Services Institution (WPFSI) is inviting people ages 20-34 to the next round of the Roundtable Discussion: Philly, Your Voices, Our City. This is the third round table for Millennials organized by WPFSI. The discussion will focus on amenities and services in the city as well as housing needs of young Philadelphians.

The discussion will take place next Saturday, April 19, at Overbrook Arts Center, 6134 Lancaster Avenue. Lunch will be served! Check the flyer below for more info.

To register for this event, please call 215-452-0100 or email: juliana@wpfsi.com

UPDATE (4/9/2014): Due to unprecedented demand, walk-ins will not be accepted at upcoming tree giveaway events, including the event at Bartram’s Garden on Saturday, April 12, according to TreePhilly Program Assistant Lindsey Walker (see comments below).

(3/19/2014): TreePhilly, a great program run by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, is back for Spring 2014 and is giving away free yard trees to city property owners. Eleven different species are available, ranging from large oaks to smaller fruit trees (all trees are six to eight feet tall). One of the giveaway events will be held in Southwest Philadelphia – at Bartram’s Garden (54th & Lindbergh Blvd.) – on Saturday, Apr. 12, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to help people select the appropriate species and learn how to plant them properly.

Interested property owners can get more information and register by visiting treephilly.org or by calling 215-683-0217. The deadline to pre-register for the spring giveaway is March 27, but walk-ins will be accepted at the event as well.

Please note that TreePhilly is focused on giving away yard trees – trees that must be planted in the ground on private property (not in the sidewalk). However, people can also get help requesting free street trees from the city, TreePhilly Program Assistant Lindsey Walker told West Philly Local via e-mail. Please contact TreePhilly for more information.

If you have questions, you can also email: treephilly@phila.gov