Fishtown has gotten so many new homes in the last several years, and Shackamaxon Street will soon get fourteen more of 'em. Last month, developer Roland Kassis presented plans to Fishtown Neighbors Association for two projects on the same block, at 1114-16 Shackamaxon St. and at 1124-30 Shackamaxon St.
You can see, both of these parcels are large and vacant, and could accommodate significant projects. For the smaller property, Kassis has proposed six new homes, each with a parking space. On the larger parcel there's an eight home project coming, and each home will have two parking spots. The community supported the projects, and the ZBA gave their approval last week. We'd guess that the community was comfortable with the development because of the parking aspect, and also because they're surely sick of these large vacant lots just half a block from the vibrant East Girard corridor.
According to an article in the Spirit, neighbors are also fairly comfortable with the developer himself, given that he's been involved in many other projects in the neighborhood. Remember, Kassis is the one behind the renovation of the long-blighted former Brownhill Kramer Hosiery factory into residential use. He's built a large project on Crease Street. And he's also planning a boutique hotel on Frankford Avenue one of these days. Perhaps any other developer could have gotten support for these projects as well, but this was certainly a case where familiarity made things easier. And in the end, it will very much be to the benefit of the neighborhood.