We’d imagine many of you recall the controversy that was set off last winter when a developer purchased the vacant lot on the corner of 9th & Bainbridge, and proposed a new home that would cover “Autumn,” a beloved mural. In the end, the developer built the home, and the mural is now lost.

So you can imagine what came into our minds the other day when we were in the neighborhood and spotted zoning notices at 10th & Bainbridge, on the site of another David Guinn mural.

The mural

Closer look

Upon closer inspection, the zoning notices are alerting to community to plans to legalize the parking lot on the site, rather than build a new home to cover up the mural. Bella Vistans rejoice, “Winter: Crystal Snowscape” is here to stay!

At the corner of 9th and Bainbridge Streets, just a few steps away from Chapterhouse, construction on two homes is moving along nicely. The home on the corner was a source of controversy when it was initially proposed, as it was to cover the “Autumn” mural, by David Guinn. Now, as you can see, the mural is gone for good.

In the past

David Guinn’s beloved mural “Autumn” at 9th and Bainbridge Sts. has been the subject of considerable debate, concern, and outcry in recent months, as a developer has proposed the construction of a town home on the vacant lot the mural faces. Many neighbors love having the mural as a part of their daily streetscape, while others don’t think that the mural’s presence should interfere with development. This saga has been chronicled by the Inquirer, Plan Philly, Newsworks, and others in recent months.

The developer has gotten approval for the variance and work is underway. In the past week, we’ve seen a hold dug and footers are now visible. We imagine a foundation will be poured in short order, and framing should begin soon after that.

She'll be missed

Closer

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La Colombe opened its second Philadelphia cafe on Tuesday at 1414 South Penn Square, on the ground floor of the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton in Dilworth Plaza. Perfect for the business men and women walking from SEPTA’s 15th Street station to their offices in Center City, this is La Colombe’s fourth cafe, including two in New York City, with plans for one more in New York and one in Chicago. The new Dilworth Plaza cafe features a hand-painted mural by Philly muralist, David Guinn, and a 1957 vintage Italian Faema espresso machine, the company that got its steam after the Second World War and is famed with a number of inventions that have helped lead to the modern espresso machine. I had an iced coffee instead of an espresso because, I mean, have you been outside lately? Turns…