A new retail and community services complex is coming to West Philadelphia’s Haddington-Cobbs Creek neighborhood. New Market West is a four story, 135,700 square foot hub which will be built on a 1.5 acre vacant site at 5901 Market Street, half a block from the 60th and Market Street El stop (see rendering).

The new building will house organizations focused on early childhood education, workforce development, educational and emergency support services, behavioral health service, and will include community-serving retail.

Governor Tom Wolf joined other state and city officials and representatives from local community organizations in a groundbreaking ceremony for the complex on Friday morning. During the ceremony, the governor announced the approval of $10.5 million in tax credits to support the project, in addition to the state’s $5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program investment announced in December. Continue Reading

A family was robbed and carjacked at gunpoint on the 4600 block of Larchwood Avenue on Wednesday at about 1 p.m., according to the University City District.

Two young adult males approached a family that was exiting their vehicle on the block and asked for money. The family refused to give them any money, and one of the males produced a gun and demanded valuables. The two young men also stole the family’s vehicle.

Two males with the same description attempted to carjack another vehicle a block away about 10 minutes earlier, according to UCD. The driver in that incident refused to exit his car, and the two men fled.  Continue Reading

West Philly’s Curio Theatre kicks off the new year this week with David Adjmi’s Marie Antoinette, a modern take on one of European history’s most infamous characters.

Adjmi’s take on the French queen introduces us to a woman who embodies artifice, excess and privilege while the mood in the streets grows hostile.  Continue Reading

In 2016, we reported on the possibility that Loco Pez, the cash-only Fishtown taqueria, was opening a new location at 47th and Baltimore, in the spot that the Carrot Cake Man used to occupy in the old Montrose building. What ever happened to that plan? According to a local realtor’s website, Loco Pez signed a lease for the space in early 2016, but since then progress has been erratic.

For many months there was little to no activity, then eventually various construction permits for a sit-down restaurant appeared in the window, but construction seemed to stall as of late last Autumn. The location’s liquor license is in “safekeeping” status, which means that it’s still attached to that location, but not currently active. Only in the last few weeks have local residents reported renewed activity inside the space.  Continue Reading

Fair Districts PA, a nonpartisan group of Pennsylvania residents that strives to end gerrymandering, is holding a special West Philadelphia meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at USciences (Rosenberger Hall, 600 S. 43rd St). Gerrymandering is the practice of legislators creating voting districts to give themselves an unfair advantage, and Pennsylvania is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country.

Newcomers are especially welcome at this meeting. You will learn how you can get involved right here in West Philly. Light refreshments will be provided, and there will also be Gerrymandering bingo with prizes.

More information is also available on Fair Districts PA’s Facebook page.

The Penn Division of Public Safety is reporting that due to power outages in West Philadelphia traffic lights are out Monday morning in the following locations:

• 34th and Market
• 38th and Walnut
• 39th and Walnut
• 40th and Walnut
• 34th and Chestnut
• 38th and Chestnut

Police are on location directing traffic. Commuters should expect delays.