The 4224 Baltimore development site in 2013 (Photo by West Philly Local).

There’s finally some news on a development across from Clark Park that has been years in the making. The developers are set to proceed with the construction of a 132-unit residential building at 4224 Baltimore Avenue, the project that was first announced eight years ago and took a few years to get zoning approval.

The work is expected to begin within a few weeks, according to Barry Grossbach, Zoning Chair at Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), and will include installation of the fence around the construction area, removal of trees in the area, removal of existing sidewalks and installation of concrete barriers to provide temporary sidewalks, closure of parking around the construction area, and finally, beginning of excavation work.

Zoning approval was granted in June 2015 and building permit was issued in May 2019.

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Trash and recycling collections in the city will continue experiencing delays this week, according to an announcement by Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams. The delays are caused by the COVID pandemic: there are higher levels of residential trash tonnage due to people remaining in their homes for extended periods of time, as well as staff shortages.

This week, recycling collections across the city may be experiencing additional delays as Streets Department crews have been focusing on picking up trash first to help mitigate health risks and attracting rodents. Continue Reading

The 2021 Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade and Festival will not take place in their usual form due to continued COVID restrictions, but the organizers, Juneteenth Philly, will hold some other great events this Saturday to commemorate the end of slavery and celebrate Juneteenth.

The celebrations will kick off at 10 a.m. with Freedom Day Rally, followed by a march down 52nd Street from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. The inaugural “Art in the Park” exhibit featuring local artists will take place in Malcolm X. Park (52nd and Pine) from 12-7 p.m.

Gathering for the Freedom Day Rally and March will begin at 9 a.m. at 52nd and Haverford. The organizers are encouraging participants to fill out a sign-up form online.

For more information, please visit http://juneteenthphilly.org/.

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, the University City District’s program that provides job training opportunities to unemployed Philadelphians and connects them with potential employers, now also supports its alumni who want to continue their professional education. The inaugural group of “WPSI Scholars” was announced yesterday. Each of the 16 scholars received $1,000 scholarships toward tuition to cover degree, certification, or credentialing programs.

The goal of the program is to “offer a small but significant incentive to graduates to continue growing in their careers and open new professional opportunities,” according to Skills Initiative Managing Director Cait Garozzo. Continue Reading

Photo by Jeannette Brugger

The city is preparing to launch a repaving and improvement project on two of West Philly’s busiest streets – Walnut and Chestnut – and asking for community input. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2022 and last week, the City launched a survey to seek community feedback on redesign options for Walnut Street from 22nd to 63rd Street and Chestnut Street from 63rd Street to 34th Street.

The City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS) is also hosting outdoor public open houses where residents can learn more about the project and provide feedback. They will take place on Thursday, June 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Playground (47th and Sansom) and Tuesday, June 29, 5-7 p.m. at the Laura Sims Skate House (210 Cobbs Creek Pkwy). Continue Reading

Beginning today, fully vaccinated Philadelphians are no longer required to wear masks or facial coverings indoors, except in the following settings:

• Health care institutions, including vaccine clinics and blood drives

• Public transportation

• Congregate facilities, such as prisons and shelters

• Indoor schools and camps

Some private companies and stores may also still ask their customers and workers to wear a mask.

More than two-thirds of adults in Philadelphia have been vaccinated, and the number of new COVID-19 cases has been steadily dropping every week. Unvaccinated residents are still strongly recommended to continue to wear masks in public places and are urged to get vaccinated.