UPDATE (April 8, 2016): Parked cars were removed and a few dividers were put today on the street near the construction site, as we assume to provide a path for pedestrians:
Not sure if these are meant to protect pedestrians forced into street at abandoned constr'n site at 4128 Chester 1/2 pic.twitter.com/nVFr3BAThP
— Phila. Bikes (@philabikes) April 8, 2016
Those of you who live or pass by the area of 42nd and Chester probably have been wondering what’s happening with the new apartment building on the southeast corner. The construction of the three-story, six-unit building at 4128 Chester Ave. was supposed to have been completed last summer. All its units were leased, with move-in dates in August 2015.
But the construction stalled months ago. The site has looked abandoned for a while, looking “hideous and dispiriting,” according to Spruce Hill Community Association zoning chair Barry Grossbach.
The unfinished building is now for sale for $1.75 million, according to a listing on Realtor.com. The building sits on a 2,6140-square-foot lot and includes overall 16 bedrooms and eight full baths, according to the listing. The location makes it “desirable student housing.” The listing also states that construction of the building is currently being completed.
Shafer Properties LLC was named the developer for the site, as was reported in 2014. The company was facing legal issues after an abandoned building next door partially collapsed as a result of their building activity (pictured right).
The latest construction permit, which was issued in July 2015 and updated in February 2016, was for plumbing work, which includes excavation of the sidewalk and a part of the street to install water service for the building, according to the city’s department of Licences and Inspections.
The sidewalk adjacent to the construction site has been closed for many months now, and with cars parked on the block, it’s impossible to walk on that side of the street. Pedestrians have to cross in the middle of the street, which is dangerous, taking into account all the motor vehicle and trolley traffic on Chester Ave.
April 6th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Thanks for the update. I’ve been wondering what’s going here for some time now
April 6th, 2016 at 1:38 pm
I like the “thumbs down” in the 5th photo on Realtor.com.
April 6th, 2016 at 7:42 pm
The side walk has been closed since construction started, much more then a year ago. Their permit to close the side walk also calls for a walkway to be est. in the street, which has never been done.
If you want to try to get the City to do something, you can call the local building inspector that covers this property, David Cellini, 215 685 7682. Its best to call around 8:30 to 9:30 AM. Or maybe you could try to call 311.
Pretty bad that we have to press to get the City to enforce their own rules, and in this case the rules are there to make sure people don’t have to walk out in the street.
Even though this building doesn’t look as sick as most new construction (read–student housing) this is just another example of something going wrong with the system. How did a long, LONG vacate lot, actually I think it was 3 lots get permission to redraw the lot lines into 2 lots and then get zoning for 6 units per lot? Was all this done “by right”?
I’d like to know why the City has been willing to let this side walk remain closed for so long. Its not like the building has been under construction for months now, its not like the sidewalk needs to be closed for reasons having anything to do with the (non)construction. It seems to be used as a dump site for building trash and as a private parking spot for a white van. All these ‘uses’ could done on the vacate lot on the corner.
My bet is that something fishy is going on. How about the Local doing some more digging.
April 7th, 2016 at 11:58 am
Is anything known about the lot on the corner after the construction crew for this building knocked down the “Hoops” corner store that was there?
April 8th, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Breaking news! A walkway of sorts has been created in the street. No problem as long as you don’t mind walking through mud. Theres still a couple of cars blocking access to this walkway, but don’t worry, give the City another 6 or 8 months and I’m sure they’ll take care of it.
April 8th, 2016 at 11:23 pm
What legal or other remedies are available to combat the onslaught of construction of substandard so-called “student” housing? (Also ideal for squatters and drug dealers after the students move on.) Any ideas?
April 12th, 2016 at 3:35 pm
watchcat, there are several ways to fight the obnoxious demolition and construction now threatening our neighborhood. The first and most important thing anyone can to is to educate themselves on our current zoning code. Developers and their lawyers count on the average citizen’s ignorance of zoning rules. You don’t have to slog through the entire code, just take a look at the city’s “quick guide”: http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/PDF/Quick_Reference_Guide.pdf. This won’t make you a zoning expert, but it will help you figure out just what is and is not permitted on a particular site.
A second means to combating the “onslaught of construction” is to get involved. Our local civic associations may not be local government in the strictest sense, but the current code confers legal status on many of them, with certain rights and responsibilities regarding neighborhood development projects. The leadership of these organizations needs to hear from members of the community about what they do and don’t want in their neighborhood. So, why not try to attend tonight’s SHCA monthly meeting or tomorrow night’s SHCA zoning committee meeting and let them know what you think?
You can also check out this facebook group devoted to issues of planning and development in West Philadelphia: https://www.facebook.com/groups/823548771046986/