What neighborhood would you consider the intersection of 40th Street, Haverford Avenue, and Lancaster Avenue? Belmont? North Haverford? West Powelton? Whatever name you assign this pocket of West Philadelphia, there’s no doubt that it’s gone through a physical transformation over the last few years as new infill projects have replaced parking lots, vacant parcels, and underused properties. One recent development appears to be nearing completion sits at 3952 Lancaster Ave. and has been dubbed Nova Commons.

The developers of this project utilized the low-income housing and green roof bonuses to increase permitted density, leading to 12 units over retail. This property was used as a parking lot, previously. Given the proximity to mass transit, Penn, Drexel, and Penn Presbyterian, it’s pretty nuts that this land was used for car storage for decades. Perhaps its triangular shape dissuaded redevelopment over the years?

The blank wall on the front facade of the building is incredibly noticeable and off-putting, but fortunately it represents a happy ending in progress. When neighbors objected to how the new building would obscure a mural commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit to the intersection in 1965, the development team agreed to collaborate with Mural Arts Philadelphia to ensure a replacement mural could be installed to ensure this commemoration of a piece of Philadelphia history would make a comeback. We’d argue that the visibility of the new mural will be considerably improved from the previous condition at the site.

We’re pleased that the developers were able to incorporate feedback like this from local neighbors into their final project plans. It really is a win for everyone when practicable modifications can both improve a project and leave long term residents satisfied at the same time. By honoring a historic visit by a historic figure to this location, the developers are respecting the history of the community while improving the quality of the local built environment.

All that being said, we really would have appreciated four or even five stories here, along with the bump in density that such an addition would have produced.