As any Temple student or regular reader of this site is well aware, there’s been a tremendous amount of new development in the area surrounding Temple in the last several years. So when we spotted a ZBA notice for a new development at 1901 N. 19th St., we figured it was just more of the same.

The lot

Standing on this corner, one wouldn’t necessarily expect that one of the more satisfying student housing projects in the area is located just a block to the east. Despite that and all the other development in the area, this corner is particularly desolate, with a ton of vacant land to the north.

Looking east. Cool project at 18th & Berks in the distance.

Looking down the 1900 block of N 19th St. reveals so much vacant land.

The application for this parcel was for twelve units with two parking spaces on the northeast corner of 19th & Berks. We would have to assume that this project would have included at least a couple of the vacant lots next to the corner, currently owned by PHDC. The application, however, was denied by the ZBA last week.

Does anyone know why the proposal was rejected? Does it seem likely that something different will happen here in the near future anyway, perhaps with fewer apartments or more parking? Is there a chance that all the vacant lots on this block, most of which are owned by City agencies, could be sold off in our lifetimes? Ah, so many questions for a Tuesday afternoon. Anyone have any answers?