We were in the area the other day, and spotted three fenced-in lots on the 3000 block of West Girard, just around the corner from the still-newish Bottom Dollar market. Doing a little bit of research, we discovered that all of the properties are being developed by ML Builders LLC. 3028 W. Girard Ave. has been a blighted property for years but has now been demolished. 3004 and 3008 W. Girard have both been vacant lots for at least a decade.

3028 in the past. It's the one with the blue door.

Current shot shows demoed home and formerly blighted home next door being rehabbed.

The two vacant lots at the end of the street

The developers purchased all three parcels at the end of last year, shelling out between $73,500 and $115K for these properties. According to permits which have been pulled for the previously vacant lots, ML Builders will be constructing triplexes. Even though the permit doesn’t state it, we’re guessing a triplex is also on the way for the site of the former blighted building.

Ian Smith Design Group is doing the design work for these three homes. Based on examples of their work from their website, we wouldn’t be surprised to see buildings that look a little different from the existing properties on Girard. And if you ask us, this would not be such a bad thing. A little architectural diversity punctuating Girard Avenue would help to emphasize some of the improvements happening on this recovering corridor.

We’ll be sure to check back in a couple of months to provide some updates on the construction of these three additions to the neighborhood. What would people prefer? Something that fits in with the block? Or something that announces its newness with a creative design?