1543 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.

Permits have been issued for the construction of a three-story, six-unit apartment building at 2002 North 22nd Street in North Philadelphia West. The structure will replace a vacant lot on the west side of the block between West Norris Street and West Diamond Street. Designed by the 24 Seven Design Group, the building will span 7,344 square feet and will feature a basement and a roof deck. Permits list Efe Holdings as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $800,000.