The Center City Whole Foods located in Logan Square is evolving, so much so that this month the Whole Foods folks scheduled a meeting with members of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA) and local residents to discuss constructing a surface-level parking lot for 54 cars.

Packed lot

Whole Foods leases their building from Sheldon Stein, a gentleman who has leased the air rights above the viaduct between 19th and 20th Streets between Tivoli Condominiums (19th & Hamilton Sts.) and the Granary. The supermarket folks hope to lease those air rights and build an additional parking lot.

Viaduct across the street. Why does this exist?

If you’ve ever tried to find a spot in the Whole Foods lot around 6 p.m. on a weekday, it’s a good guess you’ve dealt with a parking attendant directing traffic (making the congestion worse?), trying to advise motorists where to park. Chances are you’ve noticed they need more parking. When the lot’s full, you’re either trying to find a metered spot, or forced into the parking garage underneath the Philadelphia Sports Club. Or you could just walk or bike, we suppose.

LSNA zoning chair Ed Panek explained that, while he envisions neighbors will be less than thrilled (angry even?) about an additional parking lot, if it means Whole Foods might leave if they cannot build said lot, it might mean neighbors “will have to bite the bullet.”

Looking down into the viaduct. Granary on the right.

If the bullet has to be bitten, we’ll posit that this parking lot should include innovative, artistic landscape design. Hopefully, it will keep in tune with Whole Foods sustainable, green-friendly approach. How about a green-roof over the parking lot, that doubles as public green space? Any other ideas?

–Lou Mancinelli