Two mixed-use projects
proposed for Washington Avenue – one at Broad Street and the other at 25th
Street – are inching closer to shovels in the ground as a City Council
committee reportedly moved legislation forward that would rezone the sites.
The three bills, if approved
by a final City Council vote, would greenlight Alterra Group's nine-story
apartment complex that also includes a grocery store at the South Broad Street
site and Hightop Washington's plan to construct an apartment building with
first floor retail, townhomes and other residential properties at 2501
Washington Ave., according to PlanPhilly.com.
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, whose district includes the two
projects, introduced the ordinances earlier this year with the support of the
South of South Neighborhood Association, which twice voted unanimously to
support both developments, the report said.
To date, Johnson has not pursued comprehensive zoning
remapping on Washington Avenue or in Point Breeze to advance the district plan,
choosing instead to rezone parcel-by-parcel as development proposals arise.
Doing so hasn’t shielded him from any vitriol.
Some opponents to the two projects testified against the
legislation – something that has become almost common practice for any
development proposed in the gentrifying Point Breeze neighborhood.
Outside of Point Breeze, Johnson has also been dealing
with Bart Blatstein's plan to construct a mixed-use tower across Broad Street
from the Alterra Group's project. It also falls within his district and has
been met with loads of criticism from neighbors, who say Blastein's proposal is
too tall for the neighborhood.
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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