Lehigh 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.

Permits have been issued for the construction of a three-story residential building at 1318 North 23rd Street in Sharswood, North Philadelphia. The building will be constructed on a vacant lot spanning 889 square feet, bound by North 23rd Street, West Thompson Street, and North 24rd Street, facing West Seybert Street. The project has an allocated total construction cost of $110,170 with $75,970 as the general construction cost, $17,000 for plumbing, and $6,000 for mechanical work.