We’ve had our eye on this construction site at 117 W Girard Ave. for a few months now, and haven’t come any closer to knowing what’s going on…

New building

is replacing this old building

The property, which sits on a 14′x52′ lot, was purchased by Selina Inc for $150K back in 2006. We can’t find much info on this company, except that they own another rental property in Kensington. For years, Victor’s Luncheonette held down the fort at this corner, but Victor’s is no more. The new building’s design puzzles us some. The location on Girard Ave. and the large windows would seem to indicate a commercial use, but doesn’t everything seem awfully high off the ground? Aren’t some ADA rules being violated here?

Does anyone know anything else about this project? We’re nearly certain that…

After learning about the Schuylkill River Parks Connector Bridge and the At-Grade Crossing at Race and Locust Streets, we were left to wonder why these related projects were not kick-started sooner for convenience and pedestrian safety.

The pedestrian bridge connecting Schuylkill River Park to Schuylkill Banks will span across the CSX tracks about 500 feet south of Locust Street and have ADA-compatible ramps leading up to it on both sides. “The bridge is being built to provide a safe crossing for the railroad tracks even if the nearby Locust Street grade crossing is closed,” explains Danielle Gray of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation. Designed by HNTB, the bridge is under contract to SRDC and the Philadelphia Streets Department is overseeing construction on this project, which will begin in July and last about 18…