Around the corner from the new and chic Arrow Swim Club, a project that’s been stalled for five years seems to have some new wheels.

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Last month, developers presented their plans for the construction of 20 homes with 20 parking spots at 1102 Hope Street to the members of the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association (NLNA).

“We highly encourage this project because we need some development over there,” said NLNA zoning committee chair Larry Freedman.

But first, more details must be presented to the members of the NLNA.

Developers appeared before the zoning committee without drawings, and will have to come back soon for members to vote on the project. Five years ago, the zoning committee approved the construction of 20 homes with garages at the location, but Freedman said he’s not sure how similar the current project is to the initial designs. That project was approved only after much discussion between the developers and the members of NLNA, who ultimately approved the renderings presented by the developer’s third architect.

Freedman said the new owners proposed changes to the original plan, making replacing two duplexes with four homes, reducing the height of some of the structures and reducing one of the curb cuts. Members of the zoning committee didn’t take issue with the changes but want to see plans and artist renderings first. Stay tuned for those details.

“It’s pretty raunchy over there,” Freedman said as he held back his opinions about the current condition of Hope Street.

East side and the El

Future development site on the left

Currently, Hope St. is a narrow thoroughfare off W. Wildey St. with empty lots on both sides and warehouse, with colorful graffiti to the north.

“You’re not gonna walk down Hope Street at night,” Freeman said. “It would be nice to have some houses and things over there.”

It appears that development in Northern Liberties is continuing to expand outwards, with the Piazza serving as a nucleus of sorts. It’s becoming more and more apparent that Bart Blatstein is a man of vision; at this rate he may soon own half the city.

–Lou Mancinelli