6044 Chestnut Avenue

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.

New permits have been issued for a four-story, 36-unit residential project proposed at 8327 Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia. The building will be located on a lot spanning 7,300 square feet, situated on a triangular block bound by Ridge Avenue, Port Royal Avenue, and Henry Revenue Connector. Designed by Ingram/Sageser Architecture & Planning, the type VA building will yield a total built-up area of 43,483 square feet and will feature a green roof as well as vacant commercial space. Ground floor commercial space is also proposed for the project. A total of 17 parking spaces will be developed on the site, includes two accessible spaces and two EV (electric vehicle) spaces, and 12 bicycle parking spaces. Permits list Klein & Company Plumbing Inc as the contractor. The project has an allocated total construction cost of $3 million.