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Zoning meeting Thursday on new development at 44th and Chestnut, special assembly license for Studio 34 and more

Posted on 22 April 2015 by WestPhillyLocal.com

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) is inviting neighbors to learn more about and discuss new development proposals in the area at their next zoning committee meeting on Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m.

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Orens Brothers presenting their new project at Spruce Hill zoning meeting in March, 2015.

A discussion of a new development project at 4415 Chestnut Street is scheduled to be the first item on the agenda. Orens Brothers proposed a bold development for 150 apartment units, 50 parking spots, and three commercial/retail spaces at 4415 Chestnut through to Ludlow and down Ludlow, both sides, to 44th street. This will be an opportunity for neighbors to hear the proposal and offer questions and comments.

Other agenda items include:

• Two family dwelling at 217 S. 42nd Street. The Committee and neighbors approved these two units earlier, and this is the official RCO meeting.

• Studio 34’s application for a Special Assembly License. Read more about this application on the Studio 34 Facebook page.

• 22-28 S. 43rd Street. Continuation of discussion on development of land adjacent to an existing mosque. An update from the architect on design issues will be presented.

• 4530 Locust Street. Application for a three-unit building.

The meeting will take place at the SHCA office at 257 S. 45th Street. Each topic discussion is expected to take about 15 minutes, except for the 4415 Chestnut St project, which may take up to an hour, according to a committee notice.

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Keep your eyes on the road: Bike share in the city starts tomorrow

Posted on 22 April 2015 by Mike Lyons

Bike stationAfter many years of wishful thinking, high hopes and false starts, bike-share bicycles will be unleashed on the streets of Philadelphia tomorrow.

The bike share service Indego officially kicks off with a “ride off” beginning at Eakins Oval tomorrow morning to launch the service. Tickets for those inaugural rides are sold out. But you can get a bike and do your own ride off tomorrow if you like.

An important note for folks around here, though – the stations planned for Clark Park, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 44th and Walnut near the Supremo Shop ‘n Bag and Mantua Haverford Community Center (39th and Mt. Vernon) are still listed as “coming soon” or “unavailable” rather than “active” on the map of stations around the city.

That leaves eight stations in West Philly open for business tomorrow. See the map here.

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City Council-at-Large candidates in West Philly this Thursday

Posted on 22 April 2015 by WestPhillyLocal.com

With less than a month remaining until a primary election that will likely have a huge impact on the future of city politics, here’s an important event where you can meet some of the candidates, hear what they have to say and ask your questions.

The 27th Ward invites community members to come out this Thursday (April 23) to USciences’ Rosenberger Hall to hear Democratic City Council-at-Large candidates Bill Greenlee, Alan Domb, Jenne Ayers, Frank Rizzo Jr., Isaiah Thomas, Tom Wyatt, Alexander Wilson, and candidate for City Commissioner Will Mega.

The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Rosenberger Hall is located at 600 S. 43rd Street (next to the basketball courts in Clark Park).

This is another political candidates forum hosted by the 27th Ward this spring. The first forum, where mayoral candidate Jim Kenney participated, was held on March 26.

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Take Back the Night rally and march against domestic, sexual violence on Thursday

Posted on 21 April 2015 by Mike Lyons

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Everyone is invited to the corner of 40th and Chestnut streets on Thursday, April 23 to participate in the annual Take Back the Night march and rally to speak out in support of victims and survivors of domestic and sexual assault.

Marchers leaving from four different points near Center City (the others are: 22nd and Fairmount, 21st and Washington and 12th and Chestnut) will converge at the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) at 6:15 p.m. The march will leave 40th and Chestnut at 5:45 p.m. There will be a “Bust the Myths” street action outside the church. Inside, survivors and supporters will share stories and experiences with sexual and domestic violence.

Resources will be available to survivors and a 9:30 p.m. candlelight vigil will be held in memory of those lost to and still living in violent situations.

The Take Back the Night Facebook page is here.

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Residential building collapses on 4700 block of Walnut

Posted on 21 April 2015 by WestPhillyLocal.com

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Workers were tearing down a residential building, a part of a twin, on the 4700 block of Walnut Street today. The Philadelphia Licences and Inspections office deemed the building at 4729 Walnut St “imminently dangerous” and ordered it to be demolished after parts of its roof, wall, ceiling and floor collapsed on Friday. The license type for the property indicates that it was vacant.

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Man posing as police robs a woman at 52nd and Cedar (video)

Posted on 21 April 2015 by WestPhillyLocal.com

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating two men involved in a robbery that took place on Friday, April 17, near 52nd Street and Cedar Avenue. Police also released surveillance video that shows the robbery and  one of the suspects (see below).

The robbery happened at around 7:25 p.m. when an unknown male displaying a badge approached a 36-year-old woman while she was walking in the area of 52nd and Cedar. He directed the woman to put her bag on the ground, according to police. After the woman placed her bag on the ground the man grabbed the bag and fled in a vehicle waiting for him on the street. The vehicle is described as a newer model dark colored Nissan Altima.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact the Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183/3184 or call 911 if you see them. More information about this robbery is available on the Philly Police Blog.

 

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