2nd Street, between Spring Garden and Girard, transforms from a standard city street into an extra-wide, Nascar track for most of its length in Northern Liberties. Only one block in the neighborhood, between Spring Garden and Fairmount, retains its original width. Not surprisingly, there’s quite a bit of retail on this block, including the delicious Koo Zee Doo, the earthy Soy Cafe, and the incomparable Very Bad Horse. And it seems that there will soon be another addition to this stretch.

612 N 2nd St

A currently vacant lot is set to become a new four-story building, with a commercial space on the first floor, and one apartment unit on each floor above. These apartments should be fairly sizable, as the lot occupies a healthy 2,000 sqft. In addition to the building, there will be two parking spaces in the rear.

While no uses were mentioned in the zoning application, we could imagine any number of commercial concepts finding success at this location. Is there anything that this neighborhood is craving? Are bars and restaurants tapped out, or would another work here? Or perhaps people would like another bowling alley? Do the firemen across the street have something they’ve been waiting for?

Vacant space a few doors down

And while we’re speculating on retail options for this area, has anybody heard any news about the vacant commercial space on the corner of Spring Garden and Green Sts.?