800-30 Vine 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 demolition of a two-story, 1,200-square-foot rowhouse situated at 1420 North Marston Street in Brewerytown, North Philadelphia. The vacant structure stands on the west side of the block between Master and Jefferson streets, and will be torn down as part of the City of Philadelphia Demolition Program. The work will include removal of trees on adjacent vacant lots at 1413, 1417, and 1418 North Marston Street, as well as placement of erosion control mats with seed on all lots. Francis Henriquez of FH Demolition is the listed contractor. Demolition costs are listed at $9,200.