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.

A zoning permit has been issued for the construction of a two-family structure at 1303 West Clearfield Street in the Temple University Hospital area in North Philadelphia. The building will rise on the north side of the block between North 13th Street and North Park Avenue, spanning a 774-square-foot footprint. No floor count is specified, though the structure will stand at least three stories tall as the permit calls for a third floor setback. The development will include a roof deck. UAAC LLC is the listed owner.