South 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.

Zoning and construction permits have been issued for the development of a new three-unit residential building at 3028 North 15th Street in North Philadelphia. The approved scope of work calls for the erection of an attached three-story structure of Type V-B construction for use as a three-family dwelling classified under Group R-2 occupancy. The project site is owned by 3028 N 15 ST LLC. Harman Deutsch Ohler Architecture is responsible for the design. General construction costs are listed at $241,000, with a total construction area of 2,117 square feet and 1,184 square feet of earth disturbance.