You’ve likely noticed that we’ve been paying quite a bit of attention lately to the Northern Liberties and Fishtown neighborhoods. Well, if you live someplace else and crave a little more attention, don’t be offended, it’s nothing personal. All’s we can do is report about where the action is taking place, and these days it seems like a disproportionate quantity of action is going on in these areas. But worry not, Brewerytown! Fear not, Francisville! Don’t sweat it, Point Breeze! We’re sure your month in the sun is just around the corner.

But we digress.

Yesterday, developers presented a proposal to the ZBA to build twenty-two new homes at 913-931 N 5th St., just a half a block south of a seven-home development we told you about a few months back. This parcel is currently a parking lot, a warehouse, and a rather nice looking building that’s been home to Live Arts for the past few years.

The building in the middle, the lot on the right, and the warehouse on the left

The plan, which was approved last month by NLNA, calls for the demolition of both the warehouse and the building that houses Live Arts offices. The new homes on this site will front both 5th Street and Orkney Street, with a common parking lot with deeded parking spaces. From what we can gather from the meeting notes, entry to the parking lot will remain on 5th Street, with a gated pedestrian entrance on Orkney Street. To start, it seems the developers intend to rent these homes in the $2,500/mo range, but hope to convert the development to condos within five years.

While more residential units are certainly a welcome sight in this neighborhood, it’s a bummer to hear that this building will be coming down. One of the best things about Northern Liberties is the architectural diversity that’s borne out of its history- it’s a shame to see one more building with character removed from the equation.

We just hope that this amazing sign down the street doesn’t disappear anytime soon.

Need a place to get your foam rubber