1539 South Bambrey Street

Urban development is a delicate balancing act, and sometimes we must say goodbye to cherished local destinations in order to make way for a plan that is ultimately more beneficial to the community and to the city at large. One of such trade-offs is slated to occur at 7619 Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy, Northwest Philadelphia, where the Trolley Car Diner is set to meet the wrecking ball, to be replaced by a six-story, mixed-use residential development designed by Morrissey Design. Although the charming chrome, neon, mural, and freestanding trolley of the diner will be missed, the proposal at hand makes for more effective use of the site, bringing significant residential density within a two0-block walk of the Mount Airy Station of the SEPTA Regional Rail and replacing the auto-centric restaurant with pedestrian-friendly retail.

A new commercial development is planned at 624 Snyder Avenue in South Philadelphia, where permits have been issued for the construction of a three-story attached structure. The project replaces existing buildings on the site and will introduce new office space within a CMX-2 zoned corridor. The project is being designed by Toner Architects. Construction will be carried out by MMB Contractors Inc. The property is owned by 624-628 Snyder LLC.