While some neighbors have hoped the long-vacant lot would eventually become a park, the city has repeatedly made it clear that they aren't going to spend upwards of $500,000 to purchase the property, or pay for the major environmental remediation work that the site (which used to be a gas station) will need.

It isn't a question of whether this will be a park or a building. The only question is what kind of building it will be.

Will it be a mixed-use building with ground floor retail that contributes to a lively, walkable Passyunk Avenue, or another gaudy urban McMansion that takes away from street life, and turns this area into a dead zone for pedestrians. 

Another reason this project is important to us, as public space advocates, is that the developer is potentially interested in building one of the "sneckdown" pedestrian plazas north of the development. That would help calm car traffic, increase safety, and create a town center feel for this area.

But already some near neighbors are pushing back against the idea of a retail space and more foot traffic in this area. That's why we need a good turnout from mixed-use supporters like you at this meeting to balance out the message the Bella Vista zoning committee hears.