It seems like we check in on the Forgotten Bottom neighborhood every year or so, telling you about a new project in the works for this little neighborhood between Grays Ferry Avenue, the CSX tracks, and the Schuylkill River. But aside from the occasional rehab, nothing much seems to happen in the neighborhood in terms of development. So here we go again, telling you about a possible project, this time at 1421 Schuylkill Ave., with the full understanding that it might not happen in the end. In this case though, it wouldn't be such a bad thing.
A reader recently gave us the heads up that the owners of this property had applied to the ZBA with a plan to open a gun shop, a gun range, and training facilities. The application was withdrawn, though, in the middle of January. That being said, it looks like they were able to pull a permit for a gun shop in December, so perhaps the zoning appeal was only for the firing range?
We have to imagine that, whether it's just a plan for a shop or a shop and a range, the neighbors wouldn't be so stoked about it. There's a baseball field right on the other side of the building and a row of homes less than a block away.
It's also worth noting that there's also an entrance to the Grays Ferry Crescent very close by which in theory will eventually be linked to the Schuylkill River Trail. So while this location is a bit remote at the moment, it should see much more foot traffic at some point in the future. So… maybe it's not the best spot for a gun shop after all? What do you think?