Recently, Levi Netanel went before the ZBA with a plan to build two triplexes at 1307-09 N 6th St., currently vacant lots. Both lots are currently owned by City agencies, but we’d imagine the developer has them under agreement, or he wouldn’t be going through the zoning grind.

The lots

Though these lots are located a couple blocks north of Girard Ave., we were expecting a fairly run down block, given our experience in the immediate area. You may recall, we profiled some planned development on the 1200 block of North 7th Street the other week, and that block contained more blight and vacant land than occupied homes. The 1300 block of N 6th St., on the other hand, has quite a bit going for it already.

Looking north, up the street

There are a number of intact houses on this block, several of which look to have been renovated within the last decade. Sure, there are some vacant lots, but they appear to be generally well cared for, given the number of people occupying the block. One of the vacant lots seems to be a fenced-in community garden.

Double wide, and full of veggies

Additionally, the southernmost property on the block is one of the cooler looking commercial spaces we’ve seen in awhile. Home to creative consultancy Edgimo, this former bar ties the whole block together, like a good rug. We don’t know whether the folks at Edgimo have had anything to do with actually maintaining and redeveloping the block, but their presence is probably reassuring to developers, renters, and homeowners alike.

Cool building, huh?

Like we’ve said before, seeing blocks like these, on the fringe of several different neighborhoods, experience redevelopment like this, is only good news. Less vacancy, less blight, more eyes on the street, and new communities are just what this area needs to take the next step. And it’s great to see it happening before our eyes.