In recent months, the 5000 block of Baltimore Avenue has become a politically-charged center of controversy that has West Philly residents both frustrated and perplexed. Should the block, flanked by some boarded-up buildings, evolve with the help of local businesses into a commercial strip? Or should the city step in, reclaim the land and enlarge an existing health center and include parking?

A public meeting scheduled for next Thursday (see details below) will provide an opportunity for business owners and residents to discuss these two possibilities.

As Naked Philly reported earlier this month, community members learned in November about possible tentative plans to redevelop mostly privately-owned properties between 50th and 51st Streets. The redevelopment, which would happen through eminent domain, could make way for an expansion of the Mercy Wellness Center at 5008 Baltimore Avenue as per a proposal currently being considered by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA).

Baltimore Avenue near 51st Street.

For many residents, the tentative expansion proposal, submitted to the PRA by the Baltimore Avenue Redevelopment Corporation (BARC) — the non-profit that owns the Wellness Center—runs contrary to the needs of the community. In business owner Saba Tedla’s view, what the neighborhood needs along the slowly developing stretch are more restaurants and retail spaces that can solidify the Baltimore Avenue Corridor as a destination point—and without the use of eminent domain. (According to a recent City Paper article, the BARC proposal is “in flux” and may have already lost steam as inferred by statements made by BARC’s current president, Dr. Benjamin Smallwood.)

After all, more foot traffic on that block can only help Tedla, who owns Seeds Gallery at 5011 Baltimore Avenue and the restaurant Aksum further east on Baltimore and  plans to open a second restaurant across from the center this spring. She wants the competition.

“People like myself feel that the needs of the community are more for commercial retail than it is to have an expansion of a parking lot and a healthcare center,” Telda told West Philly Local. “If I know I’m opening a restaurant, why am I asking for restaurants? Because I am a member of the community. It’s productive and economical for more people to have more jobs [and] to attract more young professionals.”  Continue Reading

UPDATE (3:00 p.m.): Residents near 50th and Hazel, who lost their power last night, reported another power outage this morning, around 11:30 a.m. Power was restored by 12:30 p.m., according to a West Philly Local reader report.

11:09 a.m.: A blown transformer near 50th and Cedar caused power outage that left over 100 residents, PECO customers, without heat on one of the coldest nights of the year. The power outage happened on Wednesday night between 9:30 and 10 p.m. PECO crews responded, but power didn’t come back until 6 a.m. this morning, CBS Philly reports. Houses on and around 50th Street between Hazel and Cedar Avenues were affected by the outage.

The temperatures fell below 10 degrees last night. A shelter was set up at the Samuel B. Huey Elementary School at 52nd and Pine for those who needed relief from the cold.

If you or someone you know were affected by this power outage please leave a comment.

The snow emergency declared by the city of Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon will remain in effect until 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Please avoid parking on snow emergency routes until that time. If you did park on one of the emergency routes and your car has been towed please call 215-686-SNOW to find out where it is. More information on snow emergency routes can be found here.

And here are a couple of beautiful photos of The Woodlands Cemetery during yesterday’s snowstorm taken by West Philly Local reader Katy. You can check out more photos here.

Photo via Campaign for Working Families’ Facebook page.

Starting Friday, Jan. 24, IRS-certified community volunteers will offer free tax preparation services at sites across the city, including West Philadelphia.

E-filing and direct deposit services will be offered as well. The sites are managed by the Campaign for Working Families (CWF) and free tax preparation services are available to families who earned less than $52,000 in 2013 or for singles with an income under $20,000.

Here are CWF sites in West and Southwest Philadelphia and their hours of operation:

West Philadelphia

Mt Pisgah AME Church, 428 N 41st Street (41st & Spring Garden)
Monday 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, 3520 Fairmount Avenue
Wednesday 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Scotia Gaither Community Resources Center, 1319 N 52nd Street (entering on Kershaw Street)
Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Southwest Philadelphia

Ebenezer Temple Church, 5649 Christian Street (near Baltimore Avenue)
Monday and Tuesday 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind if you want to have your taxes prepared at one of the above mentioned sites: CWF sites do not accept appointments; customers are seen on first-come-first-served walk-in basis. There is high demand for free tax preparation services in January and February, so there may be a shorter wait time if you visit them in March. All CWF sites will close on April 16, 2014. For more information, go to: www.cwfphilly.org

West Philly Local has already reported about public and parochial school closings this Wednesday due to the continuing snowstorm. Here’s what else local authorities want you to know:

– Regular Tuesday garbage and recycling collections have been cancelled. If your regular pick-up day is Tuesday please hold your trash until next week.

– With the current snowfall projections, the City expects to treat and plow all residential streets within 48 to 72 hours after the snow ends. All property owners are required to clear a path of at least three feet in front of their property within 6 hours of the snow event ending, including curb cuts.

– If you observe a homeless person(s) in need of assistance please contact the Project Home Outreach Hotline (215-232-1984). During the call, please provide the address, location and description of the person in need.

West Philly Local reader D.W. sent over this photo with the following comment: “It seems like someone had the right idea as I pulled into my parking spot after a 4 hour commute that normally takes one hour thanks to the heavy traffic. Should have packed the skis this morning.”