Owners of the one-story building at 4200 Chester Avenue, The Millcreek Tavern site, have recently withdrawn their zoning application for a permit to build an apartment building on the site. The decision was made after a virtual meeting with the immediate neighbors that was held at the Spruce Hill Community Association’s (SHCA) request, according to SHCA Zoning Committee Chair Barry Grossbach.

The goal of the meeting, held over Zoom, was to survey views of the nearby residents. The developers said that the meeting “was not encouraging” for them to proceed with this project, according to Grossbach.  Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association’s Zoning Committee is resuming its meetings this week after a several month break. This month’s meeting will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Restaurant School parking lot (4207 Walnut St.). Socially distanced seating will be available for attendees (all attendees are asked to wear masks or facial coverings). Parking is also available free of charge.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will discuss the following development proposals:

• 223 S. 44th Street – A zoning application has been submitted for a 5-unit building.  Continue Reading

After a four-month break, the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) will resume hearings that will be held online until further notice. The first two hearings are scheduled for July 14 and July 15. Following these meetings, ZBA will hold meetings online twice a week through July to hear rescheduled cases.

The proposal to build a five-story “entrepreneur hub” on 53 N. 52nd Street, which was presented to the community last month, will be considered by the ZBA on Wednesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. Members of the public are invited to participate in the meeting via Zoom or by phone (see more info below).  Continue Reading

Artist’s rendering of proposed five-floor building on N. 52nd Street near the Market-Frankford El stop.

A Philadelphia born-and-raised entrepreneur plans to build a five-story, $6 million “entrepreneurship hub” on 52nd Street, just north of the Market Street El stop.

Tayyib Smith, a self-described “serial entrepreneur” who has worked in the music industry and started ventures around Philadelphia, introduced the plan on Wednesday night during a zoning hearing with Achieveability, the neighborhood’s registered community organization (RCO).  Continue Reading

Three siblings hope to open an Ethiopian coffee shop on the southwest corner of 42nd and Baltimore.

The trio, whose family is from Ethiopia, presented their plan to the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee on Monday. The proposal requires a special exception to put a coffee shop in the vacant storefront at 500 S. 42nd Street.

“Our goal is to really showcase our heritage,” said Tigist Hailu, who will open the shop along with her brothers. “One thing we feel is really missing in the neighborhood is the Ethiopian coffee ceremony.”

The proposal will go to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in April and, if approved, interior innovations will begin shortly after.

Rendering of proposed repurposing of church at 41st and Ludlow into a climbing gym, including the addition of a glass tower.

A plan to convert a 19th century church at 41st and Ludlow into a climbing and fitness facility drew praise from the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee during its meeting on Monday, but may meet some resistance at the Philadelphia Historical Commission because of three-story glass tower that will be added to the building.

The owners of Reach Climbing and Fitness recently bought the building (see photo below), which until late last fall was occupied by St. James Pentecostal Church. The bright red church tucked off of Market Street in a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood was built in 1845. It housed the Monumental Baptist Church, the second oldest African American Baptist Church in the city and the first in West Philadelphia.  Continue Reading