Finally here’s good news for those who have been waiting for a new supermarket to open at 40th and Walnut, in the space once occupied by The Fresh Grocer until early March. Acme Markets will open what it’s calling a “first class” urban grocery store on Friday, Oct. 23. Acme staff is currently on-site working on remodeling the space.

The store is also hiring new staff, according to signs posted in its windows.

The University of Pennsylvania signed a lease with Acme Markets for the supermarket space at 4001 Walnut St. in 2017, however a legal battle ensued after that between the University and Fresh Grocer which refused to vacate the space until earlier this year.  Continue Reading

The City’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program is currently in its second phase and the deadline for applications has been extended to Nov. 4. The program is designed to help renters who have lost more than 30 percent of their income due to reduced work hours/wages because of the pandemic, or have become unemployed after March 1 because of COVID-19.

Phase 2 rental assistance has recently been increased from $750 to up to $1,500 per renter per month. Payments will be made directly to landlords.

Other Phase 2 Program criteria include:  Continue Reading

Owners of the one-story building at 4200 Chester Avenue, The Millcreek Tavern site, have recently withdrawn their zoning application for a permit to build an apartment building on the site. The decision was made after a virtual meeting with the immediate neighbors that was held at the Spruce Hill Community Association’s (SHCA) request, according to SHCA Zoning Committee Chair Barry Grossbach.

The goal of the meeting, held over Zoom, was to survey views of the nearby residents. The developers said that the meeting “was not encouraging” for them to proceed with this project, according to Grossbach.  Continue Reading

If your trash or recyclables haven’t been picked up, here’s a new tool that will help you track the status of collections on your block. The Streets Department has announced the launch of PickupPHL, a new interactive map that will allow residents to view daily trash and recycling collections. The new platform has officially launched for public use today (Oct. 1).

The new tool provides direct access to the City’s residential sanitation services and residents will have almost real-time access to the Sanitation Division’s truck routing system. The public will be able to see the daily progress of the Streets Department’s residential collection routes. PickupPHL allows users to determine if a block has been visited by a trash, recycling or both trucks and identify where collections are taking place daily.  Continue Reading

The City has opened seven satellite election offices across the city for the November 3rd General Election to request and receive a mail-in ballot, complete the ballot and return it – all in person. Voters who requested and received their mail-in ballot can drop off their completed ballot at these locations.

Run by the City Commissioners, the offices will be open seven days a week, starting Tuesday, Sept. 29, and will remain open through Election Day.

The hours of operation are: Monday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday – Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association’s Zoning Committee is resuming its meetings this week after a several month break. This month’s meeting will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Restaurant School parking lot (4207 Walnut St.). Socially distanced seating will be available for attendees (all attendees are asked to wear masks or facial coverings). Parking is also available free of charge.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will discuss the following development proposals:

• 223 S. 44th Street – A zoning application has been submitted for a 5-unit building.  Continue Reading