2220 Wilder 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.

Last month, Philadelphia YIMBY reported that permits have been issued for renovation and an addition at 141-43 North 4th Street in Old City. Designed by Designblendz, the development will rise from a through-block site that stretches from North 4th to North Orianna streets and will involve renovation of a historic four-story, 18,160-square-foot building on 4th Street and the construction of a six-story, 19,406-square-foot annex at Orianna Street. In total, the project will span 37,566 square feet and feature 36 residential units as well 13 off-site accessory parking spaces and ten bicycle spaces. Permits list John G. Traver Co. Inc. as the owner, Pioneer Construction and Development Corporation as the contractor, and a construction cost of $2.86 million.