Rendering of the proposed mixed-use development at 51st and Baltimore.

A three-story apartment building with commercial space on the ground floor is proposed at 51st and Baltimore. Community members are invited this Tuesday, Oct. 23 to a Cedar Park Community Zoning meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore).

Twelve residential units, including “inclusionary” units aimed at a variety of incomes, are proposed on the second and third floors of the building (six units are allowed by right). Passed earlier this month, the city’s inclusionary zoning bill includes sizing and height incentives for developers who include affordable housing in their residential projects. Continue Reading

If you missed the first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll in June, here’s another opportunity to enjoy this great outdoor event. This year’s second and final Dollar Stroll will take place Thursday, Sept. 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Over 30 businesses and food trucks will line up between 43rd and 52nd streets to offer $1 deals – from their signature food items, drinks and treats to memberships. The full list of participating businesses is available here; also check out the map below.  Continue Reading

Baltimore Avenue offers several different kinds of cold desserts during this hot, sticky summer, from vegan ice cream at Little Baby’s to enormous shaved ice concoctions from the Ice Cave. Now we can add another to the list — Swirl Cafe at 46th and Baltimore.

This small family-owned shop features old-fashioned soft-serve with new-fashioned swirled-in “Flavor Burst!” flavorings, as well as bubble tea and milk tea in various fruity and creamy flavors. Seating is limited to a pair of small tables and a five-seat counter, so it might be wise to get your desserts to go. Right now food is limited to a small handful of prepackaged snacks, though there are plans to expand the menu further.

Swirl is open from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m., seven days a week. For more info and updates, check out their Facebook page.  Continue Reading

Photos by Mike VanHelder

A West Philly branch of the Fishtown taco jawn Loco Pez has been threatening to open for months now. Taco lovers will be happy to know that the time is finally upon us! The bar & restaurant on the ground floor of the Montrose building at 47th and Baltimore had a soft opening with limited hours on Saturday. The official opening night is tonight (Monday, July 30).

The menu features most of the same dishes as served at the original Fishtown location, along with a full bar that has both draft and bottled beer and wide selection of tequila. There are options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, but unfortunately no options for credit-card users. Loco Pez is cash-only with an ATM on-site, and management has no plans to add credit card service at this time. Current hours are 5 p.m.-1 a.m., with eventual plans to expand to daytime service and weekend brunch.  Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of University City District.

The first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll this summer will be held Thursday, June 7. Businesses will be offering $1 items – from food to drinks to theatre tickets – from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will stretch from 43rd Street where select Clark Park farmers market vendors will be offering $1 deals, all the way to 52nd Street, where Greensgrow West will have some plants for sale for just one buck. The event will also feature live music and family entertainment along Baltimore Avenue.  Continue Reading

Click to enlarge

A proposal for a 5-unit apartment building at 4829 Baltimore Ave. will be back in front of the Cedar Park Neighbors zoning committee on Tuesday, April 17. Last month the committee asked the developer to slim down the building so it would encroach less on adjacent buildings.

The owner has requested a variance for construction of the apartment building (see rendering) at the site currently zoned RSA-3, which would allow only a single-family structure on the long vacant lot.

The public is welcome to attend to the meeting, which will be held at Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore, entrance on Baltimore), beginning at 7 p.m., to see the revised plans and elevations for the proposed building and to voice your opinions on this proposal. If you cannot make this meeting and wish to comment, please contact Cedar Park Neighbors.

To read more about the original plans presented at the previous zoning meeting, go here.