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.

Permits have been issued for a new residential project proposed for a 28-unit development at 2400 Mascher Street in West Kensington. The project will be developed on a vacant parcel spanning an area of 8,834 square feet; bound by Mutter Street, West York Street, and West Cumberland Street, facing Mascher Street. KCA Design Associates is responsible for the designs. Permits list Frist Choice Renovation LLC as the contractor. The project has an allocated construction cost of $4.75 million.