Artist’s rendering of the proposed seven-story apartment building at 40th and Market Streets.

The Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee got a first look at a project that will likely reshape the bustling 4000 block of Market Street.

A seven-story, 42-unit apartment building with ground floor commercial space is proposed for the southwest corner of 40th and Market, right on top of one of the busiest Market-Frankford El stops in West Philly. The project would require the demolition of two properties, currently occupied by a Crown Chicken and Royal Donuts.  Continue Reading

The School District’s 11th annual back-to-school event will be held on Thursday, August 22, at the High School of the Future (4021 Parkside Ave.) from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The first 8,000 students attending this event will receive free book bags filled with school supplies.

Over 100 vendors will be on-site providing information, student enrollment services and social service resources. The event will also offer free haircuts, children’s eye glass testing, and dental services. There will also be free educational workshops, and a fun Kids Zone.

The University of Pennsylvania Division of Public Safety has announced the following closures of Spruce Street to accommodate students moving into dorms for the 2019-2020 academic year:

Saturday, Aug. 17:
From 34th Street to 38th Street: 6:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 20:
From 34th to 38th: 6:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 21:
From 34th to 38th: 6:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 24:
From 38th to 40th: 6:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.  Continue Reading

Healthcare center at 4237 Walnut Street where a marijuana dispensary may be coming.

A medical marijuana dispensary licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health is being proposed at 4237 Walnut Street. A current operation is in Plymouth Meeting and the health care facility (ILERA Health Care) is interested in a West Philadelphia location, according to Spruce Hill Zoning Committee Chair Barry Grossbach.

Residents are invited this upcoming Monday, Aug. 19 to the monthly Spruce Hill community zoning meeting to learn more about this proposal and others. An application for a zoning variance hasn’t been filed yet, according to Grossbach, and the meeting is informational only at this time. “The company has indicated an interest in maximum transparency on how such a facility operates given the newness of this operation,” Grossbach wrote in an email announcement. The site at 43rd and Walnut has served as a Rite Aid and as home to a variety of health related operators before.  Continue Reading

In case you hadn’t noticed, the annual SEPTA trolley tunnel maintenance project, Trolley Tunnel Blitz, began on Friday night, which means all trolleys are being temporarily diverted to 40th and Market via 42nd and Spruce Streets. Passengers can transfer to the Market-Frankford line at no additional cost at 40th and Market to continue their travel. The “blitz” also includes trolley track repairs on Woodland Avenue near the trolley portal, and due to this project, a portion of Woodland Avenue, between Woodland Terrace and University Avenue, is closed to through traffic.

The trolley tunnel will stay closed throughout this week and is expected to reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.

The owner is looking for her 7-year-old female Yorkie who went missing around 10 p.m. on Friday night, Aug. 9 from her backyard in the Mantua/Philadelphia Zoo/University City areas (see photo below). The dog’s name is Gypsy. She has mostly tan/blonde hair with a dark brown back, short hair cut and short nubby tail.

She was wearing a pink collar with rhinestones that has the owner’s phone number on it. She is microchipped as well.  Continue Reading