A reader email gave us the heads up about an upcoming development on the northeast corner of 19th & Fairmount, and the zoning signs went up this week. This vacant lot, 1833-39 Fairmount Ave., had been owned by the Spring Garden CDC for over a decade, until it was purchased by 19th and Fairmount Ave Lp in March for $825K. A couple of years ago, a mural featuring Noam Chomsky was painted here, but the mural will almost certainly be covered up by this new building.

Vacant lot

Closeup look at the mural

According to the zoning application, the developer intends to build a four-story structure on this lot, with retail and parking on the first floor and fifteen residential units above. Rumblings are that the retail will be a grocery/sandwich shop/cafe space, evoking a poor man’s DiBruno Brothers. Considering the relatively high prices at DiBruno’s, a slightly lower end version of this concept could definitely catch on at this location.

To be frank, we’re surprised this lot has remained vacant for so long. Considering the tremendous amount of development on Fairmount Ave. and in Francisville proper, it’s about time this lot gets developed. Don’t believe us? Across the street is a row of relatively new residences, and a half a block to the west is the mixed-use Loonstyn project at Fairmount & Uber that we’ve told you about in the past.

Newish homes

Fairmount & Uber

Next week, the developer will present this project to the neighborhood and we will hopefully be able to get our hands on some renderings. We’ll be sure to pass along this info once it becomes available.

Meanwhile, we can all get excited about one more amenity coming to Fairmount Ave.!