Kensington

   Many of Philadelphia’s community gardens are in danger of being removed from their respective lots. The Neighborhood Gardens Trust (NGT) has chosen, based on 18 months of research, 28 at-risk gardens in the city to preserve. They aim to do so either by acquiring the land or procuring long-term leases for the owners. The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority greenlit the transfer of the Collins Smith Barrick Play Garden in Kensington to the NGT. Now, City Council must approve the transfer.

   In 2013, developers purchased the property at 2565-2577 Amber Street in East Kensington. They proposed constructing seven new triplexes on the currently vacant parcel to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA).

   Developers purchased several garages at 1602-1604 North 3rd Street in South Kensington a year and a half ago for $110,000. They plan to construct a single triplex and an accompanying parking space on site. The developers would have to obtain a variance because the property is zoned for single-family use. There is a lot down the street that is currently under construction. The property at 1620 N. 3rd Street is now on the market for $250,000 as well.

   Project HOME will be constructing an affordable housing project at the intersection of 8th and Thompson Streets. It is located across the street from the Girard Medical Center (by whom it was previously owned).

   Developers plan to erect two seven-unit buildings at 2551-2555 Frankford Avenue, a currently vacant lot. The property has been zoned for multi-family use since earlier this year. It was previously zoned for commercial use. The proposal was taken to the ZBA last week. Stay tuned for further updates on the project. Nearby, on Amber Street, a row of vacant lots was set to undergo a complete transformation, but that project seems to have fallen by the wayside.

Fishtown

   A Goose Island brewpub will open on Laurel Street next summer. Core Realty signed the lease several weeks ago. The brewpub will be constructed on the former site of a dry-ice plant near the Fillmore and Punch Line Philly.

   Several years ago, developers purchased the property at 1244 E. Colona Street in Fishtown. They planned to construct three homes with two parking spaces on the parcel, but the ZBA denied their proposal. The structure that had previously stood there was razed within the last month or so. According to the Fishtown Neighbors Association (FNA) agenda, developers are now proposing constructing two homes with three parking spaces at 1244 E. Colona Street. The parcel is, incidentally, located across the street from Scoops, an ice cream parlor.

   Core Realty will be renovating the Edward Corner Building at 1100 N. Delaware Avenue and constructing a new mixed-use building next door. Several weeks ago, the Civic Design Review (CDR) released a handful of renderings of the block. Despite a bit of pushback from nearby residents, the project is expected to move along quickly.

   The ZBA approved a plan to construct seven triplexes and 11 new homes on the 3300 block of Tulip Street near the Temple Northeastern Ambulatory Care Center. KJO Architecture has provided several renderings of the project.

Northern Liberties

   A recent article in Philly Magazine attested to the impressive transformation of Northern Liberties over the last decade or so. It has, despite its prior relative obscurity, flourished into one of the liveliest and most developed sections of Philadelphia. Matt Ruben, who has served as president of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association (NLNA), says that the changes the neighborhood has undergone “are stunning, and will leave you agape.” •