Rents in the city continue to grow, and University City is one of Philadelphia’s most expensive areas to rent in, according to recent reports. In its last month’s report based on the data from real estate company Zumper, Philly.com writes that the average one-bedroom rental is $1,800 per month in the area, making it the second most expensive neighborhood in the city (Logan Circle is first). This is a 14 percent increase from February 2016.

However, it’s important to clarify that the report defines University City as the area between 40th Street west to the Schuylkill River east, which includes the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University campuses where some of the city’s most expensive high-rise apartment buildings were built over the last few years.  Continue Reading

Two important community events are scheduled for this month at the University of the Sciences, one to meet District Attorney candidates and the other to learn more about gerrymandering in Pennsylvania.

On Thursday, April 13, the 27th Ward Democratic Executive Committee will host a DA Candidates’ Night at USciences, and this is a great chance to meet the Democratic candidates running for the District Attorney office before the May 16 primary election: Judge Teresa Carr Deni, Tariq El-Shabazz (former Deputy District Attorney), Joe Khan (former ADA, former Federal Prosecutor), Lawrence Krasner (Civil Rights Attorney), Rich Negrin (former managing director), Michael Untermeyer (former Assistant District Attorney), and Jack O’Neill (former Assistant District Attorney). Residents are welcome to ask questions and bring their concerns. The meeting will be held at Rosenberger Hall, located in Clark Park near 43rd and Woodland, beginning at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, April 27, residents can learn more about gerrymandering and how Pennsylvania is one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation. Fair Districts PA will present “How to Make Your Vote Count: Ending Gerrymandering in PA.” The event, which is being organized especially for West Philadelphians, will feature an FDPA speaker who will explain how partisan gerrymandering in Pennsylvania shapes election outcomes before the first vote is even cast, and what voters can do to ensure that state legislative and congressional district maps are drawn fairly.

This event will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. at Griffith Hall C, 600 S. 43rd St. (see map here).

There’s a great chance for the Philly Pumptrack located in West Fairmount Park to get a grant that will help with upgrades. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Disney and the National Recreation and Parks Association to award $20,000 to a Philadelphia Parks and Recreation facility, and all you need to do is vote for your favorite. The Philly Pumptrack is one of three projects residents can vote for through April 30th.

Residents can vote for the projects online at NRPA.org/BeInspired. If selected, the pumptrack would use the award money to purchase new equipment and to make site improvements to make the site cleaner and safer.

The Philly Pumptrack, a dynamic earthen bike track, opened in the spring of 2014 at 5300 Parkside Avenue and is part of the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation department. The track is open from 12 – 7 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, visit: www.phillypumptrack.org.

Workers at the Fresh Grocer at 40th and Walnut were erecting a new sunscreen display near the checkout lines this morning, getting the store ready for the spring. Nothing strange about that, except that the store was supposed to close today for good to make way for a new supermarket operator.

Fresh Grocer’s property lease expires today, March 31, according to the University of Pennsylvania’s Facilities and Real Estate Services office. The office manages Penn’s vast holdings in West Philadelphia and has plans for the space that do not include Fresh Grocer.

“Penn has notified Fresh Grocer that its lease will expire on March 31 and that it must vacate the store by that date,” spokeswoman Jennifer Rizzi wrote in an e-mail on March 30. “However, Fresh Grocer rejects Penn’s position that the lease expires on that date, so we do not know whether they will vacate the store on March 31.”  Continue Reading

             Jasmine Wright was 27.

The maintenance man standing trial for the rape and murder of a woman who lived in the building where he worked was found guilty on Wednesday of first degree murder and other charges and sentenced to life without parole.

James Harris, 56, was found guilty in the July 2015 rape and murder of 27-year-old Jasmine Wright, a Drexel graduate student, at her apartment near 50th and Locust Streets.

Harris had worked in the building where Wright lived, but had been fired a week earlier, according to reports. He still had keys to the building when Wright was murdered. Police said his DNA and fingerprints were found at the scene.  Continue Reading

Coffee Market (Facebook page), the locally-owned coffee shop at 45th and Pine, re-opened 10 years ago under new management, in the space where Sam’s Place used to be, one of the oldest coffee shops in the neighborhood! This Saturday (on April Fools Day!), owner Natasa Brkanin is inviting everyone to celebrate her shop’s 10th anniversary with all day long specials, events, and some delicious coffee sampling! Check out this flier for more details: