Rendering of proposed project at the Good Shepherd Community Church site on 46th near Spruce. The building on the left is the new nine-unit structure.

The Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) zoning committee will support a contentious proposal to turn the Good Shepherd Community Church on 46th Street near Spruce into apartments and build a second, 9-unit building in the church’s garden.

Hightop Development, which originally planned to demolish the church building, has agreed to several conditions requested by the GCCA zoning committee, including the addition of two “affordable” apartments, stipulations on trash storage, landscaping and building materials (see list below). The GCCA zoning committee’s support is contingent on a signed “memorandum of understanding” with Hightop that lays out the conditions.  Continue Reading

Mariposa Food Coop is currently accepting applications for their 2019-2020 Round-up for Change cycle. Through the program, Mariposa’s members and shoppers “round-up” their purchases to the nearest dollar and the extra change is then donated to Philly organizations, groups, and/or causes.

The first recipient will be selected for September 2019 and the cycle will run until August 2020.

Local organizations whose missions or objectives carry out one of the following will be considered:  Continue Reading

A rendering of the proposed 48-unit building at 42nd and Chester, which would replace the Millcreek Tavern (HarmanDeutsch Architecture).

A strong majority of nearby residents at Wednesday’s public meeting focused on a proposed five-story apartment building that would replace Millcreek Tavern at 42nd and Chester opposed the plan, arguing that it would accelerate gentrification and exacerbate parking problems.

The proposal, which calls for the demolition of Millcreek Tavern, includes 48 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Four units would be designated as “affordable,” bringing the price of a studio with utilities included down to $918. A one-bedroom, market-rate apartment would rent for $1,300 a month, according to developers.  Continue Reading

The Summer Nights music series is returning to Penn Museum this Wednesday, June 26 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Summer Nights concerts take place in the Stoner Courtyard on the Museum’s grounds.

Each week special guests will be curating a specific playlist with songs of their choice and cash bar will be set up in the courtyard.

As part of the Summer Nights series this summer Penn Museum will also present movie nights from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. with catering until 7:30 p.m. on select dates: June 26th, July 17th, August 7th and August 28th.  Continue Reading

Millcreek Tavern (42nd and Chester).

A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 to discuss a proposal for a 5-story, 48-unit building at the corner of 42nd and Chester, currently the site of the Millcreek Tavern.

Core Development’s plans for 4200-4202 Chester call for the demolition of the Millcreek Tavern. The new building would include 5,500 square feet of ground floor commercial space. Necessary variances include number of units, the building height, parking and minimum open space. The property is zoned CMX-1.  Continue Reading

                     Spotted Lanternfly

The Woodlands Cemetery will be closed all day tomorrow, Tuesday, June 25 for tree work related to spotted lanternfly management. The USDA will be on the grounds performing the work.

Despite the gates being closed, The Woodlands staff will be in the office on Tuesday, so if anyone is visiting family buried there, please call 215-386-2181 for assistance.

The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive species native to East Asia. It causes serious damage to trees. It was found in Pennsylvania in 2014, and has since spread to 14 counties, including Philadelphia. These 14 counties are now quarantined to stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. A few adult lanternflies were spotted at The Woodlands last summer, according to executive director Jessica Baumert, and nymphs were spotted this summer.

For more information about the Spotted Lanternfly and what to do if you spot it, check out this Spotted Lanternfly Alert.