Development in Francisville

**eldondre** · 08-02-2012, 09:01 AM

Merle Properties LLC is purchasing land from PHA and the City on 19th Street as well as Cambridge and George Streets with plans to build four duplexes on this site. Considering the current appearance of these parcels, this will obviously represent a tremendous upgrade.

Yet Another Development Upcoming Near 19th and Poplar | NakedPhilly
if I were to live there I'd prefer a patch of grass to compact car parking but that's me, it's nonetheless a huge improvement eliminating blighted, crumbling houses. I'd also note that fencing has gone up across the street on the small triangular lot and j loonstyn's trucks were seen out front of the two abandoned (large) homes on 19th just north of here.

**AbortedWalrus** · 08-15-2012, 12:35 PM

Excavation at the former site of Princes Jazz Club on the corner of 15th and Fairmount Ave is done. The forms are up and it looks like they are about ready to pour the foundation. From what I can tell it's going to have a full basement, which is good if they are going to make it a commercial space. I haven't heard anything about whether or not they actually have a commercial tenant lined up for the space however.

As far as the apartment complex itself, it's exterior is pretty much completely done, they've repaved the sidewalks in front of it, and I wouldn't be surprised if the fencing was removed in the next day or two. None of the doors or windows at street level have been installed though. I have no idea how far along the interior is, but I wouldn't be surprised if that is finished soon as well.

**ps238** · 08-18-2012, 07:00 PM

I received a flyer today with the following information:

Community Meeting

What will be happening on the Ridge & Fairmount triangle?

When: Monday August 20, 7:30pm

Where: Project H.O.M.E. 1515 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia PA

Neighbors are invited to hear from Project H.O.M.E. and the development team about the final design and upcoming construction on the Ridge and Fairmount triangle (1415 Fairmount Ave).

Refreshments will be served.

Questions: Contact Sara at sara.lepori@projecthome.org

There are logos at the bottom for both Project H.O.M.E. and People For People, Inc.

**eldondre** · 08-18-2012, 08:55 PM

Can they sell off that ramshackle lot at 16th?

**eldondre** · 09-15-2012, 05:12 PM

Demolition at 16th and ridge. Zoning app. For Wed. For 5 buildings at 16&poplar

**Titus** · 09-18-2012, 05:02 PM

File Under: Lost Francisville | Hidden City Philadelphia

**AbortedWalrus** · 09-20-2012, 12:50 PM

FIN Broadcast: Community Meeting Notice

1. MAYOR NUTTER to Visit the Francisville Farmers Market! Saturday October 6th, 2012. 11:00am. 19th and Parrish Street Under the BIG Tent! Don't Miss It! Music, Games, Give Away's and lots of fresh produce!

2. Voting registration will continue through December 31st 2012

3. You must be registered in order to vote at community voting meetings. To maintain your voting rights you must vote at least (2) times per calendar year. We will keep your card and mark it each time you attend a community meeting. You can also register at the FNDC office @ 1708 Ridge Avenue any weekday between 9:00am - 5:00pm.

4. We are phasing out the distribution of paper flyers and newsletters. All notification of meetings, events and newsletter releases will be made through email or by telephone notification. Please join our mailing list if you are not receiving email or telephone notification presently.

Community voting meeting notice!
Monday September 24, 2012
@ 2nd Pilgrim Baptist Church, 15th and Ogden Streets

Doors open @ 5:30. Project Viewing - Refreshments - Sign in
Until 6:15.
Meeting will begin promptly at 6:15
On the agenda:

1. Announcements

2. 1519 Brown Street: A three story triplex is being proposed for the site. The developer is seeking relief from the following zoning requirements; (TBA at the meeting).

3. Land Banking: Representatives from PACDC (Philadelphia Association of CDC's) will be on hand to discuss what they feel are the benefits of creating a land bank in Philadelphia. This subject is extremely important to neighborhoods like Francisville where there is an abundance of city owned vacant land!

4. Rose Park @ Brown and Uber Streets: What shall become of the beautiful mosaics and plants should the park be developed? We will discuss the subject and vote to decide the outcome.

5. 712 N. 19th Street: The new owner has obtained a demolition permit and intends to build a traditional three story building on the site. Many of the neighboring residents have serious concerns regarding this development. We will discuss this matter and bring the subject to a vote on the following;

The vote: Should the Philadelphia Planning Commission, the Philadelphia Zoning Commission and City Council do an overlay for the entire area bounded by N. 19th Street, Brown Street, Capital Street and Fairmount Avenue to ensure the integrity of the dominate housing style within those boundaries?

YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO VOTE!

**AbortedWalrus** · 09-20-2012, 12:57 PM

There are some pretty big issues being voted on in this particular meeting. Should be interesting. Particularly the vote for the overlay in the area, although I am struggling to figure out what Capital Street is...

**eldondre** · 09-30-2012, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by AbortedWalrus

There are some pretty big issues being voted on in this particular meeting. Should be interesting. Particularly the vote for the overlay in the area, although I am struggling to figure out what Capital Street is...

how'd it go? Anyone else see in the blumenfeld philly mag article that he bought a stake in the opera house?

**AbortedWalrus** · 09-30-2012, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by eldondre

how'd it go? Anyone else see in the blumenfeld philly mag article that he bought a stake in the opera house?

I was actually too busy to go much to my dismay. I heard that the development at 1519 Brown was approved.

I think my largest complaint about all of the development happening in the neighborhood is that it's all sort of uninspired and plain. I'm envious of some of the really cool projects happening in other locations.

**eldondre** · 10-03-2012, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by eldondre

Demolition at 16th and ridge. Zoning app. For Wed. For 5 buildings at 16&poplar

Vacant Francisville Corner Will Be Densely Developed | NakedPhilly

Looking at the plans that we were able to get our mitts on, it seems that they revised their proposal to four apartments in each building. Seven parking spaces will be included in the project, accessed via a common easement in the rear of the buildings

**Titus** · 10-03-2012, 01:14 PM

That's a lot of density.

**AbortedWalrus** · 10-09-2012, 12:17 PM

Excavation has started at the triangle shaped plot at 15th, Ridge & Fairmount. I am fairly sure they are digging for the foundation for the Fairmount Gardens Project H.O.M.E. development. They have removed all of the sidewalks and have excavated about 1/4 of the lot from what I could see.

Rendering:

The last I heard is that this was to be a mixed-use, mixed-income development, though primarily a low-income residential development, and the new headquarters of Project H.O.M.E. offices. As long as they don't put a soup kitchen in and bring some actual quality commercial in I think it will be a positive. As far as I know one of their requirements for any commercial tenants is that they make an effort to hire Project H.O.M.E. residents, which may or may not discourage good tenants. I cannot recall how many units will be in the project, but I do know some of the units will be leased at market rate. One of the complaints at the last community meeting I was at was that the units were too small, so I don't know if that was addressed, and I also personally complained at a community meeting that too much of the ground floor was dedicated to offices, which I felt should be moved to the second floor to allow for more retail space. It's on the corner of Ridge and Fairmount, which are both major commercial corridors in the neighborhood. The original plan had more focus on Ridge Ave, and I felt it neglected the Fairmount Avenue side a bit. If anyone knows any more details of the project I would appreciate an update, as my memory is very fuzzy.

In other news, across the street from this at 1424 Fairmount, the apartments seem to largely be finished, and I think they have either leased some already, or have just staged them, since I see things in the windows. I checked out the prices and they seem a bit high. $1800 for a 975 sq. ft. 2 bedroom, and $1275 for 680-690 sq. ft. 1 bedroom. Maybe rents have just gone up way more than I thought recently. Although it is a good location, a block from the subway. Anyway, you can check out the details and floor plans here: The Residences at 1424 Fairmount | HOW Properties

**raider.adam** · 10-09-2012, 12:42 PM

Thanks for the heads up on what is going up there. I was curious.

Glad it is getting used finally.

**AbortedWalrus** · 10-18-2012, 10:58 AM

Pictures of the Fairmount Gardens construction site.

I don't exactly know what they are doing. It seems like they dug up a lot of dirt, took rocks out of it, then put the dirt back down and packed it down. Maybe someone who knows more about the construction process can fill me in. I had assumed at first they were digging foundations.

Edit:
Also this:

Community Meeting
1415 Fairmount Avenue
Update on Retail Space
When: Thursday October 18, 2012 @ 6:00 PM
Where: Project H.O.M.E. 1515 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia PA
Neighbors are invited to hear from People for People regarding the
retail space at 1415 Fairmount Ave.
Refreshments will be served

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend as I have a class.

**AbortedWalrus** · 10-18-2012, 11:38 AM

1424 Fairmount Construction.

The main portion is finished, but they only recently started construction on the portion where Prince's used to be. I am curious if the area out back will be for something like outdoor seating, or if it will simply be a place to put dumpsters and such for the development. Either way, I am excited to see the commercial space when it's finished, and I hope a nice restaurant/bar goes in there.

**eldondre** · 10-18-2012, 11:43 AM

I always thought it would be cool if we could reuse the old brick st that is behind the development

**AbortedWalrus** · 10-18-2012, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by eldondre

I always thought it would be cool if we could reuse the old brick st that is behind the development

Yeah, it's pretty cool, but I think it would end up just a sort of boring dark alley. It it weren't just the back of warehouses and such on Melon street and had some residential character it would be a cool little alley.

**eldondre** · 10-18-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by AbortedWalrus

Yeah, it's pretty cool, but I think it would end up just a sort of boring dark alley. It it weren't just the back of warehouses and such on Melon street and had some residential character it would be a cool little alley.

yes, you'd have to do a little more than simply open it. lighting, and a few places that open up onto it. a man can dream. I think that same street still sort of exists on the south side of the DL.

**eldondre** · 10-28-2012, 03:01 PM

Saw zoning notices on 1500 brown for 4 floors and three units. 19th and poplar for three four story buildings each with two units I believe. Also project home is finally going to renovate their eyesore of a parking lot...for forbid they put in greenspace for the community that supports them.