The public realm at Lancaster Avenue and 38th Streets is greatly affected by the underutilized land at the Drew School and back side of University City High. How could we put some of this land to better use while maintaining the same amount of playgrounds and parking for the schools? What would people like to see here?
This site is a great location for a drug store or small grocery store. These images depict two long-term ideas for the site. While there would be many potential challenges to realizing these ideas, they offer a vision of transformation for such a critical segment of Lancaster Avenue.
There are two CVS on Walnut - one at 34th and another at 39th. Why do we need more drug stores/low end retail? Think about other uses; Penn Presbyterian has to be looking for space - if the hospital construction market ever gets going again.
ReplyDeleteA re-development on this corner would definitely be nice. I think a re-development here could really spur Lancaster from 34th-38th to turn into a shopping district like Walnut Street.
ReplyDeleteI agree with yeaimacriminal. Retail here would fill a dead-zone of Lancaster Ave. Presbyterian isn't an active pedestrian use...look at 38th Street (not so pedestrian friendly). A continuation of retail at 37th & Lancaster would further reinforce Lancaster Ave as a viable shopping district. Right now there isn't enough of a draw for it to be anything other than what it currently is.
ReplyDeletePlease no CVS in Powelton.
ReplyDeleteThere is a good market ay 40th and Walnut, the Fresh Grocer. We need a market like that, not too big, offering all the weekly needs, but not at 38th. That is too close. Haverford Avenue, especially the blocks between 34th and 38th, seems to me to be ideal. The presence of Grace Lutheran Church, The Boys and Girls club, Phila. Fire department and the Free Library gives the area some stability. There is a good bit of empty or low use land on those blocks. The new senior housing at 34th has retail/health care space available. The addition of a market, bakery, barber, hair salon, dry cleaner, two or three eateries (coffee shop, take out sandwich/pizza, and a sit down restaurant) would anchor the three blocks and provide much reason for folks to go there. In addition, keep in mind that the city is going to build quite a bit of housing to replace the old Mantua towers. These people will need services/shops, etc. Spring Garden may be the boundary of Powelton but more and more folks are moving into Mantua and Haverford Ave could be a wonderful gathering spot for all of us. Long ago it was a viable commericial strip and could be again.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of expanding development along the Lancaster Ave corridor. The businesses that I would most like to see are: grocery store, gastro pub, ice cream shop/bakery.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the previous poster that this area could supported by Powelton, West Powelton and Mantua. We have limited reasons to walk there now. More development would change that.
The retail corridor on Lancaster Ave at the Drew School needs to be filled in - but I prefer it to be on Lancaster Avenue. Completing the gap form 38th to Lemon Grass.The entire school ditrict conglomeration of parcels and schools needs to be designed with land use, water conservation and TOD with commercial corridors and a good local school.
ReplyDeleteUniversity City High School takes up too much space. Low attendance yet a massive building. A smaller school and a Trader Joes market with ample parking would be a nice addition to that vicinity.
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