A neighborhood group protesting a luxury development in a back alley near 51st and Spruce is organizing a community speak-out and rally tonight at 7 p.m. at Malcolm X Park (51st and Pine).

The group, Neighbors for Healthy Community Development (NHCD), has been protesting the proposal by developer Callahan Ward to build 33 market-rate apartments and commercial space in the lot located at 303 S. 51st Street since May 2019, pointing out several issues with the project, including fire hazard and environmental concerns. The proposed building would be surrounded by the backyards of several adjacent properties and the only access to the property would be via a small alley.  Continue Reading

Last month, a group of concerned residents held a community action meeting to draw attention to a proposed development at 303 S. 51st Street. Developer Callahan Ward is planning to build three luxury apartment buildings with 33 units and three ground-floor commercial spaces on the site of a former mechanic’s shop, located in the backyard of many homes and only accessible by a narrow alley. The lot is zoned CMX2, which allows 33 units by right, but the neighbors are opposing the development due to many concerns, including environmental contamination, overcrowding, fire hazards, and more.  Continue Reading

One of the signs posted near the alley accessing 303 S. 51st Street (Photo by West Philly Local).

About 60 people packed into a meeting room at a church at 51st and Spruce on Monday for the first public meeting of Neighbors for Healthy Community Development (NHCD), a group of residents organizing to bring attention to a planned residential development on an oddly located piece of land near Malcolm X. Park.  Continue Reading