The last time we checked in on Grays Ferry, it was regarding CHOP’s plans for a massive 1,005-spot garage across the street from a playground. So we were extra happy to spot a recent permit for a more appropriate mixed-use project coming to the neighborhood. A new seven-story building at 1348 S 32nd St. will include 49 apartments above a small ground floor commercial space, adding some vitality in place of a small parking lot. In the early part of the 20th century, this whole block buzzed with activity from the Goodimate clothing factory, where children toiled in horrible jobs for starvation wages.

After the company went under, the former Goodimate properties were split up and eventually owned by different entities. The large building at the corner of 33rd & Reed is now owned by Spectrum Healthcare, a community health provider. The Salvation Army has been operating out of the low-rise building in the middle of the 3200 block of Reed for years. The property at the corner of 32nd & Reed, meanwhile, has been owned by a number of developers over the decades, gradually falling into disrepair. The dilapidated two-story industrial building met its end in 2015 and the property has been used as a parking lot ever since.

Looking at the plans from Cornerstone Consulting for the new building, we see a commercial space along Reed Street, with the back half of the first floor largely dedicated to 10 garage parking spaces, accessed via a driveway off 32nd Street. No new curb cut will be required, as the project will utilize the one already in place for the parking lot. The developers are building exactly as many parking spots as are required by the zoning code, so we’d wager they’ve only been included to keep this project from needing any variances. Ditto the commercial space, now that we think about it. While smaller residential buildings on surrounding blocks can skip parking minimums, medium-sized developments like this one often require them, even after Mayor Parker’s push to eliminate parking minimums in denser neighborhoods.

Despite the parking requirement, the site’s CMX-3 zoning will allow for the construction of a medium sized apartment building without requiring any variances. This is a huge win and gives us a pretty high level of confidence that this project will actually move forward. Though most properties nearby are zoned for single family homes or duplexes, the zoning for this property is spot on, given its size and proximity to a public park. Fast forward to the summer of 2028 and residents will be able to amble down the block from this building to relax in the park take a dip in the public pool. Even though these amenities won’t be located inside the building, they will be a huge selling point and greatly enhance the experience of living here.