Little WePAC library installation in progress. (Photo by Sarah Elizabeth)

The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC), a nonprofit that works on reopening and restaffing libraries at local schools, is inviting neighbors to the launch of their first mini library outside of Samuel B Huey Elementary at 52nd and Pine Streets. WePAC will be bringing students out to get books and eat water ice from 1-3 p.m. today and hope that more community members could make it!

The former Transition To Independent Living Center building at the corner of S. 46th and Spruce streets. (photo West Philly Local)

Since being gutted in a fire three years ago, the former Transition to Independent Living Center at 4534-36 Spruce Street has become an eyesore for the community. Despite local street artists turning it into an open canvas, no signs of demolition or renovation have occurred at the derelict corner building—at least, not until recently.

According to neighbor reports, the owners of 4534-36 Spruce Street recently replaced the building’s windows after the city slapped them with a blight violation. One West Philly Local reader even reported that workers she spoke with at the site confirmed they were installing new windows because “the owner had been collecting fines from the city as a result of the boarded-up windows” and that they are planning to renovate the building—although no one knows why or for what.

The north facing wall of the building is covered with street art.

“The property is now a blight on the neighborhood, collecting graffiti and a truly amazing collection of discarded chewing gum,” the reader, known as Mary, wrote in a comment on our site. “It’s been years since the fire and they have had sufficient time to settle any insurance issues and make a decision about the building’s future.”

As West Philly Local reported late last year, a search of the Department of Licenses and Inspection database shows that the owners were issued with both window and license violations on October 3, 2013, and were ordered to secure windows with “windows that have frames and glazing.” (The original violation, which was sent to court, was updated on January 16, 2014 to reflect the owners compliance with property license requirements). On May 29, the owners were cited with another two blight violations, one for the vacant property and one for the windows it recently replaced—that case remains open.

West Philly Local reached out to the owners, but they did not return our request for comment. We’ll keep you updated when we receive new information.

–Annamarya Scaccia

52nd Street Corridor manager Akeem Dixon will be the special guest at this week’s Garden Court Community Association‘s Annual Meeting, which will take place on Thursday, June 19 at Community College of Philadelphia West (4725 Chestnut St). Mr. Dixon will provide an update on 52nd Street happenings.

All are invited to attend the meeting, where there will also be an opportunity to meet new GCCA Board members and hear about the great things going on in the neighborhood.

The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a potluck (the meeting starts at 7 p.m.). For more information, visit: http://www.gardencourtca.org/.

Photo by Bethany La Flamme

Over the weekend, SEPTA introduced a return to overnight subway service on Market Frankford and Broad Street lines, a pilot program that will be in effect through Labor Day. The new program means an uninterrupted, 24-hour subway service in Philadelphia (The Inquirer‘s Inga Saffron gets riders’ reaction to the return of the overnight train service).

Trains will now replace Nite Owl buses on weekends and holidays, including on July 4th and Labor Day. Buses continue to operate Nite Owl service on weekdays.

Here are some more details on how the overnight subway service will operate:

• SEPTA cashiers will staff major hubs and high ridership stations overnight on both lines. Where a cashier is present, riders will pay at the entrance gate.

• At unstaffed locations, signage will direct passengers through turnstiles to the Owl boarding location, where they will pay fares to the train operator at the head of the train before entering the train.

• Operators will accept exact cash fares, tokens, and passes. They will sell transfers, but will not give out change.

• Trains will run every 20 minutes between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Arrival times at the City Hall/15th Street Stations will be staggered by 10 minutes to accommodate transfers.

• Extra SEPTA police officers will be deployed to provide an enhanced level of security.

• A passenger guide with additional information and tips for riding is available online at www.septa.org/service/all-night.html

SEPTA used to have a 24-hour subway service, but it was replaced by buses in 1991 due to low ridership.

“Philadelphia has changed since that time,” SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey said in a statement. “Now with all of the restaurants, increased late-night activity, and people moving back into the city, we’re excited to be able to provide this service that city, business leaders, and customers have been asking us for.”

Nearly 10,000 riders currently use the Nite Owl bus service on weekends, according to SEPTA’s report. SEPTA’s staff will evaluate ridership, staffing costs, overall security, and other factors to determine whether 24-hour weekend subway service will continue beyond the pilot program.

We are wishing a Happy Fathers Day to all West Philly dads and hope you’re enjoying this beautiful day in Philadelphia. Here’s a photo of a gorgeous rose bush near 48th and Warrington, taken by our reader Cindy Miller.

Photos by Mike Lyons / West Philly Local

One of the most popular West Philly events of the year, the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, returns next week. This summer’s one and only Dollar Stroll, where you can buy $1 food items, drinks, special memberships, tickets, and other deals from Baltimore Avenue businesses, is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. The event will take place rain or shine, so we hope the weather behaves.

Over 30 businesses will participate in this Dollar Stroll, veterans and newcomers alike. When out on the stroll, make sure to also check out wares from Greensgrow West, Pound Cake Heaven, and Zed’s Gifts, the businesses we recently welcomed in the neighborhood. Mobile food vendors, like Dadz Grilled Cheez, Lil’ Pop Shop, Made in the Shade Lemonade, Milk and Sugar, the Tot Cart, and The Whirly Pig, will offer $1 treats at the event as well.

Apart from the $1 deals, the stroll will feature plenty of free entertainment. Local bands Purples and City Rain will rock the Y-Not Radio Stage at 46th Street. Street performers, fire artists, face painters, and balloon artists will also be entertaining young and old alike along the avenue.

Checkout the flier below for more information on the stroll, its participants, and their offers.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Baltimore Avenue Business Association is coordinating a book sale to benefit the Kingsessing Library Branch, located on 51st Street between Chester and Kingsessing, and is asking for book donations. The books will be sold at the Dollar Stroll and other sales events. If you have any old books that you don’t need please drop them off before Thursday at one of the following locations: VIX Emporium, 50th and Baltimore, the Gold Standard Cafe, 48th and Baltimore, or Milk & Honey, 45th and Baltimore. No textbooks, please.