An emergency community meeting concerning last week’s shooting of the police officer near 60th and Spruce Streets by a man who allegedly supports ISIS will be held on Thursday, Jan. 14, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bryant School, 6001 Cedar Ave.

The meeting, hosted by state Sen. Anthony H. Williams in partnership with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and State Rep. Joanna McClinton, will focus on neighborhood safety and mental health issues. Updates concerning neighborhood security will also be provided by law enforcement.

Muslim and Christian faith leaders will also participate in the meeting.

The Enterprise Center Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) will provide information to residents about home repair programs at its first community meeting tomorrow. The meeting will run from 6 – 7 p.m. at The Enterprise Center (4548 Market Street).

Here’s the agenda:

• Home Repair Programs for you and your neighbors, including the PHIL-Plus and Mini-PHIL loan programs.
• Helping connect residents with other resources and services.
• How you can get involved through NAC subcommittee elections that will take place in 2016.  Continue Reading

SEPTA is presenting an open information meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, on improvements planned for 40th and Market St. Station. This is a great chance to learn more about the project, which will address ADA and some other improvements at the station. The 40th St Station ADA Accessibility Project is expected to begin this winter and will take more than a year to complete – through Spring 2017, according to SEPTA. The project broke ground earlier this month.

The scope of the project includes the following work at the station and in the adjacent area:

• Installation of a machine roomless elevator on the NW & SE corners of 40th & Market Streets
• Installation of new headhouse covering to all four stairs accessing the station
• Installation of new restrooms in the subway level
• Reconstruction of new city sidewalks within work area
• Installation of new informational signage
• Installation of new doors, gates and architectural enhancements

The meeting will take place at Oshiver Hall, 3901 Market St., beginning at 6 p.m.

Here’s a chance for neighborhood residents to learn more about the University of the Sciences‘ plans in the area, meet the administration, and ask questions. USciences is inviting all interested individuals to their December community meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7-8:30 p.m. The meeting will feature remarks from university leadership, an update on the university’s Campus Master Plan, an open forum for questions, and a chance to interact with various University departments and partner representatives. Light refreshments will be served during the Meet & Greet part of the meeting, from 7:45-8:30 p.m.

The meeting will take place at McNeil Science and Technology Center, 45th and Woodland (#20 on map).

As a reminder, some of USciences’ plans in the area include converting the former Alexander Wilson Elementary School building (pictured) into student housing and student-focused retail. USciences purchased the 1.03-acre parcel at 46th and Woodland last fall.

If you want to learn more about Pennsylvania’s state budget and its impact on the community, come to the Walnut Hill Community meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6 – 8 p.m. State Rep. James R. Roebuck Jr. and State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown will be at the meeting to talk about the budget. They will also answer questions and address any concerns from community members.

The final draft of Walnut Hill 2015 Neighborhood Plan will also be presented at the meeting (7-8 p.m.).

The meeting will take place at The Enterprise Center (4548 Market Street).

Garden Court Plaza.

Development is on the agenda of the upcoming annual meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), which will include a presentation by the new owners of the Garden Court Plaza.

Matthew A. Pestronk, president of Post Brothers, which recently bought the 13-story Garden Court Plaza at 4701 Pine St. (pictured) and plans to invest more than $250 million in housing development in the area, will speak at the meeting, slated for Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Griffith Hall on the USciences campus.

Pestronk will open the meeting at 6:30 p.m. His topic is “Investing in Philadelphia’s Neighborhoods, 2015 – The Challenges and Opportunities.”

After Pestronk’s talk, there will be reports on SHCA activities in the last year and election of officers.

“Come out to mingle, vote and learn about and discuss development in the neighborhood,” said Monica Calkins, SHCA president.

Eric Santoro is running for president and heads up an unopposed slate that includes Calkins for executive vice president.

The entrance to Griffith Hall is on 43rd St. between Regent Sq. and Woodland Ave.