The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of August 5th

Serving the residents and neighbors of Eastwick, Southwest Philadelphia, since our founding. The Eastwick Bulletin is published weekly to keep our community informed, connected, and empowered.

Welcome to this week's edition of The Eastwick Bulletin!

As we enter the month of August, our community continues to see important changes in infrastructure and housing. This week, we celebrate crucial street safety improvements that protect our pedestrians and cyclists, address urgent concerns regarding affordable housing preservation in Southwest Philadelphia, provide an important alert about I-95 construction, and share a packed schedule of back-to-school and end-of-summer events at our local library and community centers.

🌟 POSITIVE UPDATE: Vision Zero Street Safety Upgrades Protect Eastwick Residents

We are thrilled to highlight the recently completed Philadelphia Streets Department of Transportation upgrades at the intersection of Island Avenue and Lindbergh Boulevard. This critical infrastructure project represents a significant victory for pedestrian and cyclist safety in our neighborhood.

The comprehensive redesign includes new street signs, modern trolley shelters, dedicated bike lanes, and upgraded crossing signals. These improvements make the intersection significantly safer for everyone, whether residents are crossing to get groceries or visitors are navigating their way to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.

This project reaffirms the City of Philadelphia's commitment to Vision Zero, an initiative aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. The Island Avenue and Lindbergh Boulevard intersection has long been a concern for local residents. The new upgrades advance our shared goal of improving traffic safety on every mile of the High Injury Network. We encourage residents to check out the new safety features when traveling in the area and to continue advocating for safe streets throughout Eastwick.

🚨 URGENT COMMUNITY CONCERN: The Fight to Preserve Affordable Housing in Southwest Philadelphia

The Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition Inc. stands in solidarity with residents across Southwest Philadelphia who are facing a critical affordable housing crisis. A portfolio of 925 affordable rental units, managed by Neighborhood Restorations, is currently at risk of being sold, which could result in the displacement of approximately 3,000 longtime residents.

The Threat of Displacement: These properties differ from typical apartment complexes because they are mostly single-family rowhomes and duplexes integrated directly into our city blocks. The average tenancy for these renters is 11 years, making them deeply rooted members of our community. The units were developed using federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that are now expiring. Without intervention, these properties could be sold to private developers and converted to market-rate housing, making them unaffordable for the current residents who earn between 20 percent and 60 percent of the area median income.

Community Action: Led by community organizing groups like One PA West/Southwest Rising and supported by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, residents have been rallying to demand that the City of Philadelphia purchase the portfolio to make the properties permanently affordable. The City had a July deadline to make an offer using funds from the Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative, a $2 billion housing plan.

What EFNC is Doing: EFNC recognizes that housing stability is fundamental to community health and resilience. We are monitoring this situation closely and advocating for policies that protect legacy residents from gentrification and displacement. We support the efforts to keep these 925 units affordable and will continue to fight for equitable housing solutions that allow our neighbors to remain in the communities they have stewarded for decades.

⚠️ TRAFFIC ALERT: Nighttime Construction on I-95 Girard Point Bridge

Please be advised that bridge construction continues at night on Wednesday, August 5, and Thursday, August 6, on the I-95 Girard Point Bridge in Southwest Philadelphia. On Wednesday, August 5, a single lane closure will be in place at 9:00 PM, followed by a double lane closure from 12:00 AM Midnight to 5:00 AM on northbound I-95. Please plan your travel accordingly and expect delays if driving during these hours.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

👮 Coffee with Cops at McDonald's

Join your neighborhood Philadelphia Police officers for coffee, conversation, and community connection every last Tuesday of the month at McDonald's, 60th & Woodland Avenue, at 9:30 AM.

The next upcoming date is Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Remaining 2026 dates include September 29, October 27, November 24, and December 29. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your local officers in a relaxed, friendly setting. For more information, call 215-686-3122.

🎒 Book Bag Giveaway - Saturday, August 22

The 12th District Community Relations is presenting a FREE Book Bag Giveaway to help students prepare for the upcoming school year!

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: 12th Police District, 65th & Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

In addition to free book bags, the event will feature free snacks, free haircuts, and free braiding, all while supplies last. This is a fantastic opportunity for families to get their children ready for back-to-school season. Come out and connect with your community!

🚔 12th District Police Community Meetings: July - December 2026

The Philadelphia Police Department's 12th District invites all residents to attend their regular Police Community Meetings, held throughout the district at multiple locations. All meetings begin at 6:00 PM.

Upcoming August meetings are as follows:

These meetings are your opportunity to voice concerns, learn about public safety initiatives, and connect directly with the officers who serve our neighborhoods. For more information, call 215-686-3122 or scan the QR code on the flyer to find your PSA.

🍽️ FREE FOOD GIVEAWAY - Thursday, August 6

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026 Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Location: Corner of 80th & Buist Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153 Organizer: Council President Kenyatta Johnson

Free food giveaway while supplies last! This is a wonderful opportunity for Eastwick residents to access fresh food and groceries at no cost. For more information, contact Special Community Organizer Lynne Wilson at 215-686-3412.

🙋 Officer Joseph Young Jr. Way - Ceremonial Street Renaming

Join Council President Kenyatta Johnson for a special ceremonial street renaming celebration!

Event Details: Date: Saturday, August 9, 2026 Time: 9:30 AM Location: 6400 W 6300 Block, Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia

This is a meaningful celebration of community and public service honoring Officer Joseph Young Jr. Come together with your neighbors to recognize this important tribute to a dedicated public servant.

💡COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Philly 311 Non-Emergency Services Report illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, overgrown vacant lots, and other neighborhood concerns through the Philly 311 system. Use the mobile app, online portal, or call 3-1-1 to submit service requests.

Heat Relief Resources During extreme heat events, access cooling centers throughout Philadelphia by calling 311 or visiting ReadyPhiladelphia.org. The Clean Air Council's Flooding and Heat Resilience Toolkit provides comprehensive information about heat preparedness and resources.

Eastwick Library Summer Programs The Free Library of Philadelphia's Eastwick branch offers free summer programs for youth and families, including video games, arts and crafts, educational activities, and more. Call (215) 685-4193 for more information.

📸 SEND US YOUR PHOTOS

We love seeing Eastwick through your eyes! Whether it is a beautiful sunset over the refuge, a community gathering, or your thriving garden, please share your photos with us. Selected images will be featured in upcoming newsletters and on our social media pages. Email your photos to [email protected] with a brief description and photo credit.

🗣️ FUTURE TOPICS: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

We want to hear from you! What issues, events, or stories would you like to see covered in future editions of The Eastwick Bulletin? Your input ensures that this newsletter remains a valuable resource for our community. Send your suggestions to[email protected].

🤝 ABOUT EFNC AND JOIN OUR BOARD

The Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition Inc. (EFNC) is dedicated to environmental justice, community advocacy, and sustainable development in Eastwick. We are currently seeking passionate community members to join our Board of Directors. If you have skills in community organizing, communications, grant writing, or simply a deep love for our neighborhood, we want to hear from you. Visit our website at eastwickfnc.org to learn more and apply.

📢 SHARE THE WORD

Please forward this newsletter to your neighbors, friends, and family in Eastwick. Encourage them to subscribe so we can continue to build a strong, informed, and connected community. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Until next time,
The EFNC Team