We’ve been surprised that an empty lot has sat at the northeast corner of 5th & Catharine for as long as it has. It’s been vacant for as long as we can remember, aside from a few statues installed on the lot. But that will soon change as the Queen Village Neighbors Association recently approved plans for the construction of a three-story single-family home at 767 S. 5th St. with a roof deck, pilot house, and off-street parking.

The empty lot

According to public record, the lot was acquired this March for $290K. The statues will be moved to another location, perhaps Weccacoe Playground, according to Mike Hauptman, QVNA zoning chair. Though Queen Village is one of the more developed neighborhoods in town, it still has its room for improvements. For example, a few blocks to the north, neighbors have organized and are raising funds to redevelop Bainbridge Green to be a green space on the 400 and 500 blocks of Bainbridge, near the location of the hopefully- coming-soon new upscale boutique hotel.

Hotel should be coming to this corner just to the north

It’s positive to note that despite the recent Fabric Row fire, Queen Village neighbors and businesses have been coming together and working on improving the neighborhood (as well as raising funds for the businesses damaged in the fire). Like the 4 Shore Swimwear Boutique popup store on Fabric Row. And plans for coffee and crepes in a long-vacant storefront at 3rd & Catharine. And several other new homes popping up on some of the other few remaining vacant lots in the neighborhood. As the improvements continue, perhaps it will soon be time to think about how make some of the ideas offered in this Greening the Grid plan for Queen Village become a reality.

–Lou Mancinelli