East Girard continues to move forward. New businesses are opening, like the vet clinic we told you about earlier this week. And as the corridor continues to develop, the remaining vacant lots are getting bought up and new buildings are appearing. And there's at least one more on the way. A few days ago, while scoping out Stock, the new pho spot on the 300 block of E. Girard Ave., we spotted a new hole in the ground at 300 E. Girard Ave., which was for a long time a vacant lot. Soon, we'll see a new mixed-use building rise here.
Back in April of 2013, developers presented a project for a three story building with first floor commercial space and two upstairs apartments to Fishtown Neighbors Association, and got community support. Last June, they got approval from the ZBA. Then the lot sat for quite some time. According to a thread on Fishtown.us, the developers were originally thinking about a non-retail use in the first floor space like an office, but some community input may result in a tenant that's more neighborhood friendly.
We aren't sure what took so long for the project to get off the ground, but we're certainly pleased to see it's finally moving forward. As for the still-vacant lot next door, perhaps the redevelopment at the corner plus the pho a few doors down will inspire another new construction project soon. In fact, we're downright optimistic about it. A few years from now, we imagine vacant lots on East Girard will be a thing of the past. And all kinds of new retail establishments will abound.