Unemployed West Philly residents are invited to apply for a new job training program with University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI). The new program will prepare individuals to be Animal Care Technicians with the University of Pennsylvania. This is the 7th program WPSI has run in partnership with UPenn, the largest private employer in the state.

WPSI and Penn are seeking applicants who possess a high school diploma or GED; are currently unemployed; and live in the West Philadelphia zip-codes 19104, 19131, 19139, 19142, 19143, 19151, or 19153. The program is recruiting detail-oriented, motivated, and resilient individuals with experience in janitorial, housekeeping, labor, or science labs. Experience with animal care is a plus.  Continue Reading

The City has begun rehabilitation of two I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) viaducts – in Center City and West Conshohocken. The project in Center City will include repairs or replacement of the concrete joints and deteriorated sections of the concrete deck, rehabilitating piers and columns, and repairing the viaduct’s drainage system.

Due to the project, overnight and weekend closures will take place intermittently from April to July at the following locations:

• University Avenue Exit 346B
• South Street On-Ramp
• South Street Exit 346A
• Walnut Street On-Ramp

The nearly $40 million project is expected to be completed in Fall 2020. More information is available at: https://i76viaduct.com/. For construction schedule, go here.

Demolition of 19th century Christ Memorial Church underway (October, 2018).

The demolished 19th century Christ Memorial Reformed Episcopal Church building on the northeast corner of 43rd and Chestnut Streets has recently been resold (for a second time) to a new developer, according to reports. Alterra Property Group, the same developer who is currently erecting a 6-story prefab apartment building on the 4100 block of Chestnut, purchased the property for $17 million in February, according to a recent report by Philly.com, and is planning to build another apartment building aimed at “graduate students, retained graduates, and young professionals” on the site.  Continue Reading

The 2019 primary election is approaching fast, and this week, West Philly residents have a chance to hear from many candidates for City Council at a community forum. The City Council Candidate Forum will take place Thursday, April 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Enterprise Center (4548 Market St.) and will feature 3rd District and at-large candidates.

So far the following candidates have confirmed their participation in the event:

• 3rd District candidates: Jamie Gauthier

• At-large candidates: Adrian Rivera-Reyes, Deja Lynn Alvarez, Helen Gym, Ogbanna Paul Haggins, Fernando Trevino, Eryn Santamoor, Beth Finn, Erika Almiron, Vinny Black, Mark Ross, Councilman Derek Green.  Continue Reading

Artists Leo Tecosky (left) and Roberto Lugo are bringing their work to the historic Hamilton Mansion at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland).

Beginning Sunday, March 31, local artists Roberto Lugo and Leo Tecosky will bring their work to the historic Hamilton Mansion at The Woodlands as part of their Graffiti & Ornament exhibit. The artists, who embrace graffiti and hip-hop culture within their artistic practice, incorporate a carved 19th century graffiti inscription in the exhibition, connecting Philadelphia’s past with the present.

In addition to the opening celebration on Sunday, from 1 – 4 p.m., the exhibition includes other special events every week throughout April:  Continue Reading

The new 3-story mixed-use building at the southeast corner of 42nd Street and Chester Avenue may be getting a coffee shop. A request for a special zoning exception was submitted to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for 4134 Chester Avenue to include a coffee shop with up to 20 seats in the ground-floor commercial space of the building, which also houses two residential units on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

According to the zoning appeal posted on the city’s License’s and Inspections website, the coffee shop will not use any commercial cooking appliances and will serve prepared food.

It’s worth noting that there is a Dunkin Donuts shop on the same block, and a Starbucks on Woodland Avenue, just a block away from this building. However, Millcreek Tavern across the street may soon be replaced by another residential building, so that corner will likely have more residents soon.

Stay tuned for more information.