The city has a new vision of renovation that will try to improve challenged neighborhoods, boost tourism revenue and increase city growth in the next 25 years.
In a public meeting, the City Planning Commission released its first two district drafts for West Park and Lower South. The drafts include zoning code changes, future land-use plans and infrastructure improvements to bring in new developments.
Alan Greenberger, the deputy mayor for economic development, said releasing these drafts was essential to the public so they can grasp the plans and give feedback on them.
“This is a prelude and not just for these… Read the full story »

Over the years the Philadelphia International Airport has become progressively busier. From people needing to fly in, fly out and the traffic surrounding its roads for drop-offs and pick-ups, it has become quite tight. In order to accommodate this high amount of traffic, Philadelphia has decided to expand the airport boundaries.
Over the past 10 years, Philadelphia has been working with the City Planning Commission on the Capacity Enhancement Program. This program details exactly how the new dimensions of the airport will look. Every year Philadelphia’s City Planning Commission has a board meeting with the city of Philadelphia to review… Read the full story »

The Greater Philadelphia Health Action Inc. celebrated its grand opening this weekend.
At 5500 Woodland Ave. in Southwest Philadelphia, the doors opened as families from the neighborhood were invited for food, drinks, music and informational tables lasting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
With radio station Power 99 present, neighborhood kids danced and ate while their parents were able to receive free blood pressure testing, massages and information on healthcare.
“You know out here it is difficult to get assistance especially with such low income. At this health center I know that I have a place to come that can actually… Read the full story »

“Learning starts at a young age. We try and create just what our name entails, Rising Stars,” said Bianca McCoy, supervisor of Rising Stars Childcare and Learning Center.
Located at 6333 Woodland Ave. in Southwest Philadelphia, McCoy and her certified teaching staff not only provide daycare assistance but also a learning environment that is  influential in a child’s development.
Opened only about three years, Rising Stars Childcare and Learning Center currently offers education to more than 180 students ranging in age from 1 to 2 years old.
“Every class has a curriculum according to their age group,” McCoy said. “Different… Read the full story »

Located at 6916-23 Elmwood Ave., the Southwest Senior Center acts as a hang out for individuals 60 years old and up. With a general membership for only $15 per year seniors are entitled to all the amenities the Southwest Senior Center has to offer, including pottery, ceramics, painting, line dancing, game room, art gallery, bible study and computer labs. Partnering with Patterson Elementary School and Bartram High School, seniors are also able to participate in a volunteer and mentoring program in order to help unite the intergenerational gap.
“The senior center is just great. I’ve belonged here for about 15 years.… Read the full story »

During the fall, Seth Dorrell, an executive director of Economic and Community Development for Southwest Community Development Corp., spoke with students from The New Start Family Resource Center’s After School regarding his intent to volunteer in Haiti.
The children demonstrated enthusiasm when learning about a different culture and ways children grow up in the developing world. They asked questions after the presentation for nearly an hour about life in Haiti, and they laughed at the thought of children not really wearing clothes until they are 3 or 4 years old. In addition, they showed a hint of surprise when learning… Read the full story »

For the past several days, students from the Southwest have been collecting signatures regarding the placement of the Philadelphia Training Program within the former M.A.B. Paint Factory, which is rumored to soon be turned into a prison.
John McCullough, director of the Philadelphia Training Program, explained that the factory would be used to offer vocational skills training and housing facilities. It would, in any capacity, be a prison. He compare his program,which he hopes to have placed in the former factory, to programs like Job Corps. His students are educated in trade work. They receive electrical training and education on plumbing, carpentry… Read the full story »

A prison has been proposed in the Southwest Philadelphia area. The facility would be a 400-bed re-entry program. It has been opposed by many people in the neighborhood. Many fliers have been handed out and protests have been scheduled. The proposed prison would be located at 5213 Grays Ave.
The Southwest Community Development Corp. has been part of many of the meetings and petitions. Seth Dorrell, the deputy
executive director of the Southwest CDC, says the organization supports the community. He says the CDC has gotten over 2,500 signatures petitioning what has been proposed. “We cannot deem it a fit… Read the full story »

At any odd hour of the day, walking Woodland Avenue between 60th and 70th streets will afford you with the opportunity to purchase African food, clothes, movies and more. Just 14 years ago, African products were sold by the Vietnamese, and African-owned businesses did not exist on this avenue. Today, there are more than 10 African-owned stores in a 10 block radius offering anything from traveling consultations to hair braiding.
Vakaramoko Diaby, co-owner of Bain’s Halaal Market and Grocery on 63rd Street and Woodland Avenue, has been running his business, alongside his wife, for over five years. After moving to… Read the full story »

Samiha Moussa hates sitting in front of the television. It would make her head explode if she’d watch it for too long, she said.
Coming to the Southwest Senior Center provides her with an alternative to what many seniors fall victim to.
According to a 2009 study done by Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, the senior population is the top group of television watchers.
Seniors already face many health concerns such as arthritis, cancer and diabetes.
Now the recent AMA study suggests that each hour spent in front of the television daily could be associated with an… Read the full story »