Over a year ago, we first told you about the possible rehab of the former REACH baseball factory at the intersection of Tulip & Palmer in Fishtown. And after last week, it seems more likely than ever that this currently blighted building will soon house people instead of baseballs.  The project by Domani Developers includes plans to turn the four story building into thirty 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.  It appears to be moving ahead after the developers received the needed zoning variances from the Zoning Board of Adjustment to construct a fifth floor addition, with a roof deck and a canopy over the first floor.

Looks awful

The project received support from the Fishtown Neighbors Association, though the majority of neighbors who live closest to the building voted against the it.  Although the proposed apartments will be right across the parking lot from the Memphis Flats condos, the project will not include parking due to the fact that the building takes up the entire lot and the structure is apparently not able to support the weight of cars.

The lack of parking was cited as a concern by some residents, but the developer is confident that due to the project’s proximity to the Berks station along the Market Frankford line, many potential residents will be public transportation users rather than drivers.

Project rendering

The former baseball factory has been vacant since at least 2004 and is one of the remaining relics of the neighborhood’s industrial past.  Hopefully, this project will help to encourage further redevelopment of long abandoned industrial spaces in the area.   Like this guy, for example…

Another blighted building nearby

Oh yeah, that’s already gonna happen (we hope).

–Isaac Riddle