Preliminary discussions have taken place between developers and neighbors regarding a mixed-use development project envisioned at the southeastern corner of 27th & Girard. If the project materializes, it would provide a much needed revitalization to this stretch of Girard Avenue, though a groundbreaking could still be as long as a year away.

Giant lot

Tentative plans are for a four-story building with ground-floor retail and residential units above to be constructed with Girard Avenue frontage between Taney and N. 27 Streets, according to a Fairmount Civic Association (FCA) zoning member. The lot behind the North Star Bar may be incorporated into the parking scheme, which would be in the rear of the building. The project is a collaboration between MM Partners and the suburban-based American Development Co.

View from 27th Street

“The urban form of it is exactly what we wanted there,” said Matt Wanamaker (FCA) zoning chair. Wannamaker shared some early plans for the site with members at this month’s FCA meeting. He said the height was right and it was designed in such a way that connected building appeared broken up into separate buildings.

The lot is now a vacant parcel and previously contained a market, which was razed over a decade ago. The land is owned by 27th and Girard LP, and account for about 20K sqft.

If this project materializes, perhaps it will provide new inspiration for a commercial corridor that definitely has room to grow. New businesses have opened here over the past few years including Mugshots at 2831 Girard Ave., bike store Color Wheel at 2711 Girard Ave., and a second RyBread location is coming soon to the 2800 block.

Hopefully, more businesses will be on the way on this site in the years to come.

–Lou Mancinelli