Developers present plans for a 21-unit apartment building at 46th and Spruce to the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee on Monday night. (Photo by West Philly Local)

Plans to build a four-story apartment building to replace the burned-out, single-floor building on the corner of 46th and Spruce drew concerns about parking and the flurry of new nearby apartment building construction last night during a meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) zoning committee.

The proposed brick and metal panel building at 4534-36 Spruce St. would include 21 mostly two-bedroom apartments, ground-floor retail and a rooftop deck. The developers need a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment to get to the building’s proposed height – 44 feet.

A 2011 fire gutted the current structure, a transitional housing facility. The building has been vacant since the fire.

Parking was the biggest concern at last night’s meeting. The proposal does not include on-site parking, and nearby residents are concerned that this building along with the new 40-unit apartment building at 46th and Walnut, and the 15-unit building built between two Victorian twins on the 200 block of S. 45th Street will make finding a spot exceedingly difficult.  Continue Reading

A police pursuit of a vehicle led to a crash this afternoon near 52nd and Catharine, according to reports. The pursuit, which began in Delaware county shortly after 4 p.m., ended in West Philadelphia when the suspects’ vehicle crashed. The police then chased two suspects on foot. One person was arrested, and another man remains at large, 6ABC reports.

One civilian was injured during the chase, according to reports. It’s currently unknown what led to the pursuit. Stay tuned for more information.

UPDATE: NBC reports that at least four people were hurt after the fleeing driver struck multiple vehicles near 53rd and Cedar.

Opening reception for Julianna Foster’s photography exhibit, Latent Ground, Feb. 21, 2016.

Contemporary and collectively-run neighborhood art galleries seem to come and go often. Danger! Danger! Gallery and Gush Gallery were two solid ones in West Philadelphia, but closed in recent years. The most recent arrival to the area is Black Oak House, a contemporary fine art gallery which is based out of a house near 51st and Osage. This one might stick around for a while because the house owners live there too.

Catherine Pancake and her partner, Miriam Stewart, moved to the area from Chicago and decided to purchase a home in West Philadelphia and run the gallery together. While in Chicago, Pancake completed her MFA and was exposed to many types of art galleries, but was mainly drawn to those that were based out of homes. “There are a few spaces that are domestic and small but have very potent artwork,” said Pancake.

Works by photographer Julianna Foster are currently on display at Black Oak House.

Through her past and current work as a member of Vox Populi Gallery in Callowhill, Pancake built a large networking of contemporary artists in West Philadelphia and is optimistic about curating quality solo shows three to four times a year. “I have a lot of experience curating festivals and art events that are women and LGBTQ focused; we would like to do more studio visits with artists who are not usually represented.”

Pancake sees an in-home gallery as less intimidating than a public gallery or a First Friday opening and she’s especially intrigued by the idea of living with contemporary art. “It helps people see how contemporary art can be hung or installed in a house, versus a gallery environment,” she said.

Currently on display at Black Oak House is a show named Latent Ground, which showcases the work of photographer Julianna Foster. The next opening, which will present the works of Sharon Koelblinger, is in April.

Those interested in getting involved with the gallery are welcome to visit their website or by simply showing up to gallery openings and speaking with Pancake or Stewart.

– Rana Fayez (photos courtesy of Black Oak House)

The $3.5 billion development of 14 acres of parking lots and concrete dead space west of 30th Street into eight high rises connected by green public spaces and retail officially has a name – “Schuylkill Yards.”

The project, which was presented Wednesday by Drexel and master developer Brandywine Realty Trust, will begin with the conversion of the 1.3-acre parking lot across 30th Street from the train station into public space that includes a large, oval lawn criss-crossed with walkways. That project is scheduled to break ground later this year.

Other pieces of the plan include replacing the Bolt and Mega Bus stops along JFK Boulevard with glassy high-rise office and residential buildings, dedicated bike lanes along Market Street and a green and event space that will be called “The Grove.” The tallest high rise, which will sit a couple of blocks west of the 30th Street Station between Market and JFK will be about 950 feet tall, about the same height as the Comcast Center.  Continue Reading

Victim, 31-year-old Timothy Cary.

A Kingsessing man who fatally shot a West Philly resident outside of a University City restaurant two years ago was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday, according to reports.

Corey Gaynor, 28, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of 31-year-old Timothy Cary on the early morning of April 14, 2014 outside Copabanana restaurant at 40th and Spruce. Gaynor fired at least 10 shots at close range at Cary following an argument inside the restaurant.

The Philadelphia Common Pleas Court jury deliberated 22 days before they found Gaynor guilty of the murder, and the judge sentenced him to the mandatory life in prison without parole, Philly.com reports.

Snacks at Lulu Cafe (photo from Lulu Cafe’s Facebook page)

It took a little longer than planned, but Lulu Cafe, an Asian cafe and restaurant serving coffee, tea, snacks, and sweets, has finally opened at 4508 Walnut Street (next door to Hunter Gatherer Tattoo). The final inspection was on Tuesday, according to the cafe’s Facebook post, and it’s now ready to serve its customers.

The opening was anticipated and the wait was worth it. We checked on the new establishment on Friday, its opening day, and saw a sizable crowd inside.

The cafe’s specialty is milk tea. As one happy customer put it, “No more long trips to Chinatown for milk tea now!” The snack food menu includes popular Chinese and Taiwanese street food items (all garlicky and spicy), such as popcorn chicken, squid balls, sweet potato fries, and green beans. And you can top everything off with some shaved ice with three toppings of your choice.

Lulu Cafe is open daily 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit: www.lulucafeusa.com.