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Riverwards Development News (September 14, 2016)


Kensington

   Several years ago, an unnamed developer purchased the vacant lot at the intersection of Randolph and Oxford Streets for $850,000. Six homes will be built on the southernmost portion of the property. The remaining 24,000 square feet of the property will be left vacant, quite possibly for future construction or sale.

1500 N Randolph/Kaitlyn Moore

1500 N Randolph/Kaitlyn Moore

   With the help of the Philadelphia LISC, the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) and Impact Services, a small band of concerned citizens has come together to transform the vacant lot at 719 – 725 Clearfield Street into a beautiful, lush community garden. The lot functioned previously as a hotspot for crime (usually drug-related). The transformation is part of the burgeoning SafeGrowth program that aims to create safer, cleaner, more hospitable neighborhoods.

Fishtown

   Two new Shoo Fry poutine shops are coming to Philadelphia supposedly by year’s end. The location at 132 South 17th Street in Rittenhouse Square should open its doors sometime within the next few weeks. The second location at 200 East Girard Avenue in Fishtown will follow suit in either November or December.

Soon-to-be-Shoofry at the former EGG./Kaitlyn Moore

Soon-to-be-Shoo Fry at the former EGG./Kaitlyn Moore

   Last weekend, Aero Growing, a Pennsylvania-based aeroponics company, brought a mobile greenhouse to Riverwards Produce at 1822 Tulip Street in Fishtown. From 8AM to 3PM, customers were able to tour the greenhouse and buy some of the products within.

   Developer Leo Voloshin “pre-purchased” the historic Saint Laurentius Church at 1608 East Berks Street in February. He will present a plan to the Fishtown Neighbors Association next month to convert the church into a 23-unit apartment building. The future of the property is still one big question mark, largely dependent upon the outcome of the community meeting.ft_st_laurentius_040616_3

   The Grupp family plans to construct (and live in) a single-family home on the vacant property at 1506 – 1508 East Palmer Street. The property will be wheelchair-accessible. Reach Lofts is located across the street. Visit the Grupps’ website for further details.

   The Goose Island Brewpub will soon be coming to the Fillmore complex at 33 East Laurel Street. The brewery is known for its line of more than 300 beers as well as its Belgian-style drinks. A bowling alley and distillery are also under construction by the intersection of Frankford and Delaware Avenues. But that is just the tip of the iceberg; expect much more development in the area soon.

33 East Laurel St/Kaitlyn Moore

33 East Laurel St/Kaitlyn Moore

   Last month at a Fishtown Neighbors Association zoning meeting, developers proposed converting the property at 1420 – 1422 East Susquehanna Avenue into a nine-unit apartment building with three parking spots. The majority of those in attendance, however, opposed the plan. The property will go to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) later this month. The building initially functioned as the convent for the Holy Name of Jesus Church.

Holy Name Convent./Kaitlyn Moore

Holy Name Convent./Kaitlyn Moore

   Construction is imminent at 1221 East Berks Street. Developers plan to construct 29 condominiums and 23 parking spots on the currently vacant lot. The property has changed hands twice in the past two years.

   A three-story, eight-unit apartment building will be constructed at 629 East Girard Avenue. Developers will not be seeking a variance, thus placing a potentially unnecessary number of restrictions on the project.

Berks and Girard./Kaitlyn Moore

Berks and Girard./Kaitlyn Moore

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