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 filed for the construction of a single-family structure at 2059-61 East York Street in Kensington. The building will span a 1,604 square foot footprint and will feature a roof deck. A vacant grass lot spans the address at number 61 and a three-story prewar rowhouse occupies the site at number 59. It is unclear whether the structure will be demolished or incorporated into the new building, since no demolition permits have been filed as of yet. Hulk Industries Inc is the listed owner.