Eight stories of affordable senior housing proposed for Italian Market parking lot

[FKD19124]

** sigh ** just what the italian market needs.

Five stories of affordable senior housing proposed for Italian Market parking lot | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

[thoth]

** sigh ** just what the italian market needs.

Meh, it's better than an infrequently used parking lot. It's also not right on the Market, but 921 Ellsworth.

I'm more concerned with what is happening to the Ice House lot on 9th. Any word?

[Eames]

The parking lot would be more frequently used if the city invested more in improving the retail environment around the Italian Market. It's hard enough to park around there as it is. I'm also very tired of inserting "affordable housing" where it's not wanted by the neighbors. The only saving grace is that it's on the other side of Washington Ave. The results are far better when you put up market value homes as in the other parking lot on Christian Street. These units will contribute greater to the local micro economy, and area growth as opposed to a cluster of old poor people (just being blunt/pragmatic).

[thoth]

The worst thing you can say about it is that it will not contribute as much as an alternative use, like a condo. It's still a net positive. I don't really have a problem with the PHA building housing for the elderly and disabled. That's really the only form of public housing that makes sense to me, as it can be basically impossible for those groups to secure housing otherwise, particularly if they are lifelong renters in increasingly valuable neighborhoods.

The parking lot would be more frequently used if the city invested more in improving the retail environment around the Italian Market. It's hard enough to park around there as it is. I'm also very tired of inserting "affordable housing" where it's not wanted by the neighbors. The only saving grace is that it's on the other side of Washington Ave. The results are far better when you put up market value homes as in the other parking lot on Christian Street. These units will contribute greater to the local micro economy, and area growth as opposed to a cluster of old poor people (just being blunt/pragmatic).

[five apples]

So the plans for this space seems to have drastically changed, or I am wrong about where it is going in.

Plans Afoot to Bring New Restaurants, Retail and Life to the Italian Market -- Grub Street Philadelphia

Plans to develop Italian Marketplace in the large vacant lot behind Anastasi Seafood near Ninth Street and Washington Avenue could breath new life into the Italian Market neighborhood. Philadelphia Business Journal’s Peter Van Allen reports that NY-based Midwood Investment & Development has plans to turn the sprawling corner property into a humungous retail center with 31,000 square feet of underground parking, and at least one restaurant. The lot, which up until a few years ago was home to a giant and very vacant American Coal and Ice Company Ice House, was owned by P&F Giordano’s Fruit and Produce, before it was sold to Midwood.

[darthsinatra]

So the plans for this space seems to have drastically changed, or I am wrong about where it is going in.

Plans Afoot to Bring New Restaurants, Retail and Life to the Italian Market -- Grub Street Philadelphia

Different location. This is the old ice house, on 9th. The lot in the OP is on Ellsworth between 9th and 10th.

[tsarstruck]

So the plans for this space seems to have drastically changed, or I am wrong about where it is going in.

Plans Afoot to Bring New Restaurants, Retail and Life to the Italian Market -- Grub Street Philadelphia

Regardless, that's an exciting development. Anyone have actual access to the PBJ for more details?

[JerzBoy]

No access to PBJ but the developer's website has some additional info Midwood | Investment & Development

[Eastcoast]

Wait, so now it's going to be one story retail...jeez at least go two stories with apartments, public storage, bocce courts, something!

[seand]

No access to PBJ but the developer's website has some additional info Midwood | Investment & Development

Looks very slick. The type of thing that could give the Italian Market a kick in the pants. Seems like it could build on the Market's history and foot traffic while pulling in a stronger retail base. Great news if it goes through

[raider.adam]

Wait, so now it's going to be one story retail...jeez at least go two stories with apartments, public storage, bocce courts, something!

Yeah, you'd think 2nd and third story residential would be a gimmie.

[five apples]

Yeah, you'd think 2nd and third story residential would be a gimmie.

I seriously doubt the rendering on that site will be the final product.

[BarryG]

Regardless, that's an exciting development. Anyone have actual access to the PBJ for more details?

There really isn't any more info in the PBJ article. I can't understand the economics of building underground parking for one-story retail. Residential is indeed a no-brainer.

[OffenseTaken]

Meh, it's better than an infrequently used parking lot. It's also not right on the Market, but 921 Ellsworth.

I'm more concerned with what is happening to the Ice House lot on 9th. Any word?

When I saw this thread, I actually thought it was about the Rizzo lot at 9th and Montrose. If they're not going to build anything there, can't they at least resurface it, so it isn't just an asphalt sh¡tsnack in the middle of the Italian Market?

The I.M. is one of my favorite spots in the city, but there's no denying that Ninth St. is pretty ugly, and doesn't make good use of its space. Considering how often they hawk the place to tourists, I would think....oh yeah, never mind: that's not the way things work here.

[Eastcoast]

When I saw this thread, I actually thought it was about the Rizzo lot at 9th and Montrose. If they're not going to build anything there, can't they at least resurface it, so it isn't just an asphalt sh¡tsnack in the middle of the Italian Market?

The I.M. is one of my favorite spots in the city, but there's no denying that Ninth St. is pretty ugly, and doesn't make good use of its space. Considering how often they hawk the place to tourists, I would think....oh yeah, never mind: that's not the way things work here.

There was an article (sorry I have no idea from where) that indicated that at one point the Di Bruno Brothers owned the 9th and Montrose lot and were considering some type of a 4 story glass superstore. That would certainly get the ball rolling on 9th street!