In the area of 34th and Spring Garden Streets, there is potential for new housing opportunities with ground floor retail. What conflicts might exist for residents living close by? How could these problems be solved with good planning and design guidelines?
This image depicts one idea for what could happen here. In this scenario, the existing warehouse building remains, new residential and retail space is proposed for existing parking lots, and landscaping is used to define the corners.
From what I understand, the building on the NE corner of 34th and Spring Garden is already happening and Kimey's has already been re-modeled and looks great inside. The outside still is lacking some appeal however.
ReplyDeleteThe new catering place looks great and I believe the place where you have a "BYO/Bakery" is going to be-build that house that was demolished...
It would be great to be able to eliminate at least one of the three parking lots (as you have) in this diagram, as they are not often utilized and suburban-like.
On the NE side there is going to be a new house, just one, attached to the last existing house in the row. Long ago, there was an apartment building at the SE corner of 34th and S.G. It was called the Belmont Apartments and was new in 1908 or thereabouts. There is a great photo in West Philadelphia University City to 52nd St (Images of America) by Robert Morris Skaler. this shows the existing row homes, including the one now missing and a bit of the church at 34th and brandywine.
ReplyDeleteI am concerned as to what will happen to the laundry, and little general store. both of these are well used, kept clean and orderly and add to the safety of the neighborhood. Kimey's, in my world, could be replaced by housing or something attractive and useful. Why keep that?
Anonymous, I feel completely the opposite. While Kimey's does not look very nice from the outside, the inside has just been re-done and looks great and is really friendly. You should check it out. As for the super grocer, I don't feel it to be very friendly. For the laundromat, last time I was there, many of the washers had rust in the bottom, something I didn't want to put my clothes in. Maybe this has changed?
ReplyDeleteWe need a real Fresh Food source- a Weavers Way co=op would be great at this site.
ReplyDelete