The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) zoning committee will have its monthly meeting on Monday, May 20, where more details will be revealed about the mixed-use complex proposed on the site of the demolished Memorial Christ Church at 43rd and Chestnut. The property was sold to Alterra Property Group for $17 million earlier this year.

The proposed complex will reportedly include 278 residential units, ground-floor retail, below-grade accessory parking for 54 vehicles, and 109 bicycle spots. The property is in a CMX-4 Commercial Mixed-Use Zoning District, so this proposal complies with the existing zoning code and already has conditional approval. However, due to the size of the project, it must go before the City Planning Commission’s “civic design review” process. An early step in that process is a presentation to the appropriate coordinating RCO (Registered Community Organization), which is the SHCA Zoning Committee.  Continue Reading

The 61st Annual Spruce Hill May Fair will be held at Clark Park on Saturday, May 11th from noon to 6 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, May 12). The event is the primary fundraiser for the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA). Proceeds go to support local schools and other organizations and sponsor popular neighborhood activities.

This year’s May Fair will feature the following events and activities:

• Over 50 local vendors offering a wide range of arts and crafts and other unique products, including many gift ideas for Mother’s Day. Others will have information about local groups and causes seeking public support.
• Exciting musical line-up with Dan Blacksburg and the Haimishers and special guests Compas 48.
• The University City Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale.
• Food for every taste will be provided by some wonderful food vendors.
• For the kids, there will be a petting zoo, a bounce house and 40-foot-long inflatable obstacle course, and professional face-painting.
• $1 raffle will feature great prizes donated by local merchants.

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The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) monthly board meeting will be held this Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Spruce Hill Center (257 S. 45th Street). All community members are invited and welcome to attend.

The guest speaker at this month’s meeting is Nicole Ozdemir from the City Planning Commission. She will join SHCA members to talk about the city’s efforts regarding affordable housing. This will be an informational discussion to educate and update the board on the city’s mixed-income affordable housing bill and related initiatives. Regular committee reports will follow.

Affordable housing is becoming a big problem for Philadelphia, especially in gentrifying neighborhoods like Spruce Hill.

It was reported last month that Mission First Housing Group, one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the city, decided to move ahead with their plans to sell the Arvilla apartment building on the 4500 block of Osage Avenue and elicited protests from neighbors.

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m., in the Penn Alexander School gymnasium (enter through cafeteria/blacktop entrance on 43rd street between Locust and Spruce). At its annual meeting, the community group elects new officers and board members and invites guest experts to talk about important community issues. The event is free and all community members are invited to attend, learn more about the organization, and get involved.

This year’s meeting will feature a presentation on a community-influenced, space-based initiative. Julie Bush, Landscape Architect, Principal at Ground Reconsidered, will be the featured speaker on “Penn Alexander School: Re-imagining the Schoolyard.”  Continue Reading

A lot of little (and not-so-little) ghosts, ghouls and goblins paraded up Osage Avenue in the Spruce Hill section of West Philly yesterday for the annual Halloween Tot Parade.

As usual, the parade culminated with a party on Little Osage Avenue. Thanks to the folks on Little Osage for the hospitality. Check out more photos and a video below. Here are some photos from Tot Parades in years past.  Continue Reading

With Halloween just around the corner, the Spruce Hill Community Association has announced details for the 22nd annual Halloween Parade and Party.

The parade, where families with little tots (6 and under) are invited to show off their costumes, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 31. It will begin at 4:30 p.m. at 45th and Larchwood (gathering will start at 4 p.m.). The parade will end on the 4200 block of Osage Ave., aka “Little Osage”, where neighbors throw their annual block party-style Halloween Party. Once the parade is over, the Tots and their families will be treated to cider and baked goods from neighbors and local businesses. There will also be plenty of trick-or-treating opportunities in the neighborhood. While walking around, make sure to stop by the Spruce Hill Center at 257 S. 45th St. for some goodie bags.  Continue Reading