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 four-story single-family rowhouse at 2510 Sepviva Street in Olde Richmond, Kensington. The new building will replace a single-story garage situated on the northwest side of the block between East Cumberland Street and East Firth Street. Designed by Plato Marinakos, Jr. of Plato Studio, the structure will span 2,568 square feet and will feature a roof deck. Permits specify Lawrence General Contractors as the contractor.