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Bill passes to change 10-year tax abatement

Posted on 13 December 2019 by Mike Lyons

City Council voted this week to change the 10-year tax abatement that has helped spur development in West Philly and elsewhere.

The abatement, which has been in place since 2000, exempted property improvements from taxes for 10 years, making property value increases on big improvements, like ground-up rehab or construction, virtually tax free.

Under the bill passed on Thursday, the tax abatement on residential properties would start at 100 percent and decrease 10 percent per year. The modified abatement will go into effect on Dec. 31, 2020.  Continue Reading

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City Council passes ban on “single-use” plastic bags

Posted on 12 December 2019 by WestPhillyLocal.com

The City Council on Thursday passed a bill banning “single-use” plastic bags in the city.

The ban means that places like supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, take-out restaurants, farmer’s markets and even food trucks will have to either switch to paper bags or offer their customers an option to buy a reusable bag. A similar ban already exists in other cities, like New York.

If signed into law by Mayor Jim Kenney, the ban would go into effect on July 2, 2020.  Continue Reading

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Philadelphia Marathon to be held this weekend: Watch out for road closures, detours

Posted on 21 November 2019 by WestPhillyLocal.com

2019 Philadelphia Marathon course map (click to enlarge).

The 2019 Philadelphia Marathon will be held this weekend, with some events, including a half-marathon, scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 23 and the main event on Sunday, Nov. 24 (beginning at 6:55 a.m.). The event attracts over 30,000 runners and 60,000 spectators,  so road closures and detours begin as early as Friday. If you’re planning to drive in the area this weekend, check out the details below.

The following road closures have been announced ahead of the 2019 marathon:

Friday, November 22

The inner-drive lanes (both directions) of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed, from 9:30 a.m. until 2:45 p.m.. At 2:45 p.m., all lanes will be opened for the afternoon rush hour. Inbound, inner lanes from Binswanger Triangle to 22nd Street will remain closed.

Saturday, November 23

Motorists and pedestrians can expect significant delays when trying to cross roads or streets that are adjacent to the course. The following streets will be affected across the city on Saturday from 2 a.m. until 3 p.m.:

• 17th Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street
• 18th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
• 19th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
• 20th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
• 21st Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
• 22nd Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 16th Street to 22nd Street
• Market Street, from 6th Street to 16th Street
• Chestnut Street, from 5th Street to 8th Street
• 6th Street, from Market Street to Chestnut Street
• 5th Street, from Chestnut Street to Race Street
• South Penn Square
• Juniper Street, from Chestnut Street to Market Street
• John F. Kennedy Boulevard, from Juniper Street to 17th Street
• 15th Street, from Race Street to Chestnut Street
• 16th Street, from Chestnut Street to Race Street
• Race Street, from 6th Street to Columbus Boulevard
• Columbus Boulevard (southbound lanes), from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
• Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue
• Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
• Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
• South Street, from Front Street to 7th Street
• 6th Street, from Bainbridge Street to Locust Street
• Lombard Street, from 5th Street to Broad Street
• 13th Street, from Bainbridge Street to Chestnut Street
• Walnut Street, from 12th Street to 34th Street
• 33rd Street, from Walnut Street to Spring Garden Street
• 34th Street, from Spring Garden Street to Girard Avenue
• Spring Garden Street, from 32nd Street to 34th Street
• Girard Avenue, 33rd Street to 38th Street
• 33rd Street, from Girard Avenue to Cecil B. Moore Avenue
• Reservoir Drive from 33rd to Diamond
• Mt. Pleasant Drive
• Fountain Green Drive
• Kelly Drive

Sunday, November 23

The Parkway (22nd Street to Eakins Oval) will be closed from 2 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Other streets along the race course will reopened as runners pass by and the streets are cleaned.

The following streets will be affected across the city on Sunday:

• 17th Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street
• 18th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
• 19th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
• 20th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
• 21st Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
• 22nd Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 16th Street to 22nd Street
• Arch Street, between 3rd Street and 16th Street
• 4th Street, between Arch Street and Vine Streets
• Race Street, from 6th Street to Columbus Boulevard
• Columbus Boulevard (southbound lanes), from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
• Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue
• Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
• Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
• South Street, from Front Street to 7th Street
• 6th Street, from Bainbridge Street to Market Street
• Chestnut Street, from 6th Street to 23rd Street
• 22nd Street, from Locust Street to Market Street
• Walnut Street, from 21st Street to 34th Street
• 33rd Street, from Walnut Street to Chestnut Street
• Chestnut Street, from 33rd Street to 34th Street
• 34th Street, from Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue
• Lansdowne Drive, from Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive
• South Concourse Drive, from Lansdowne to West Memorial Hall Drive
• East Memorial Hall Drive, from South Concourse to Avenue of the Republic
• Avenue of the Republic, from East Memorial Hall Drive to Catholic Fountain
• Belmont Avenue, Montgomery to Parkside Avenue
• States Drive to Lansdowne Drive
• Lansdowne Drive to Black Road
• Black Road
• Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
• Kelly Drive
• The Falls Bridge
• Ridge Avenue, from Schoolhouse Lane to Manayunk Avenue
• Main Street, from Ridge Avenue to Conarroe Street

All streets are scheduled to be reopened by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24.

For information on SEPTA bus detours on Saturday and Sunday, go to septa.org.

For additional information, including course maps, schedules, and cheer zones, visit the official Philadelphia Marathon website.

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Recycle fall leaves starting Tuesday, Nov. 12

Posted on 11 November 2019 by WestPhillyLocal.com

leavesThe City once again is offering residents an opportunity to recycle fall leaves. The 2019 Leaf Recycling Program begins Tuesday, Nov. 12 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 21. During this time, residents have a few options to participate in the program.

Bagged leaf drop-off will be offered citywide on Saturdays (except for November 16th and 30th) at 13 designated locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the duration of the program. The locations in West Philadelphia are:  Continue Reading

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Election Day is this Tuesday (Nov. 5). Pressed for time? Read this before you go to the polls

Posted on 04 November 2019 by Mike Lyons

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5 to vote for Mayor (a formality), At-Large City Council seats (not a formality this year) and a controversial ballot measure focused on crime victims’ rights.

The drama for City Council District 3 ended in May with the victory of upstart Jamie Gauthier over longtime incumbent Jannie Blackwell. Gauthier has no opponent in tomorrow’s vote. But several third party candidates are keeping the At-Large races interesting.

Seven At-Large candidates will be elected during Tuesday’s general election (polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.). History shows that the five Democratic At-Large candidates – incumbents Allan Domb, Derek Green, Helen Gym, as well as Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Isaiah Thomas – will all likely win easily. Democrats outnumber Republicans seven to one in the city.  Continue Reading

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More chances to try out new voting machines before November election

Posted on 07 October 2019 by WestPhillyLocal.com

Residents in the Powelton/Mantua/Belmont neighborhoods had a chance last week to try the City’s new voting machines during a neighborhood advisory committee election (see photo). This and next week, residents in Cedar Park, Cobbs Creek, Spruce Hill and adjacent areas are invited to new voting machine demonstration events.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, State Sen. Anthony H. Williams and the 60th Ward Executive Committee will hold a new voting system demo event at Global Leadership Academy at 52nd and Pine. This is a non-partisan event and is handicap accessible. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the school auditorium.  Continue Reading

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