Dale Corporation

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 recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has revealed that construction has not yet started at a four-story, four-unit apartment building at 1426 North 7th Street in Ludlow, North Philadelphia, although permits have been issued last September. The structure will rise on the west side of the block between Master and Jefferson streets, where much development has taken place in recent years. Designed by Cadre Design & Development, the building will span 4,390 square feet, lending an average of nearly 1,100 square feet per apartment. Permits list the United Group General Contractor Inc. as the contractor and a construction cost of $437,000.