The little building at 4610 Cedar is coming down. (Photo by West Philly Local)
The small building that sits on the west side of the triangular parking lot at 4610 Cedar Ave. (near Baltimore) is finally coming down and it looks like a three-story building will take its place.
Fencing has been erected around the building, which most recently was a temporary branch of the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, and the work should be completed by the end of the month, according to signs. A permit issued in November 2013 allows for the demolition of the current structure and the construction of a three-story building. The property is zoned for commercial and residential uses and is owned by the Bay Lay Song Family Trust, which is headed by members of the Lai family (who own the Vietnam Café at 816 S. 47th St., among other properties).
The building has been many things over the years (A West Coast Video, cheesesteak place, dollar store, gas station) and two businesses – Domino’s Pizza and Philly Flavors ice cream – expressed interest in the property over the last couple of years. Both plans fell through.
May 11th, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Wait — tell us more! This is a major development! Any info on what’s going to go into the spot?!?!
May 11th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
@SJ We don’t know a whole lot more. Sounds like it might be apartments with some ground level retail. No details yet. – WPL
May 11th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
I guess apartments are better than a parking lot, but i can’t help but mourn the lost commercial uses over the years. I guess the obstructionist neighbors couldn’t figure out how to block this one?
May 11th, 2015 at 2:46 pm
how many square-footage will the new building be?
May 11th, 2015 at 3:32 pm
this cracks me up. happy the idiot neighbors are speechless now
May 11th, 2015 at 4:55 pm
Plans previously submitted have apts 1&4 at 1106 sf each, apts 2&5 at 858 sf each, apts 3&6 at 1053sf each with the three storefronts at 1097 sf, 910 sf, and 1114 sf.
May 11th, 2015 at 6:42 pm
I really hope we don’t end up with a 3 story stucco box. This location is just too important for the usual new construction crap that is thrown up these days.
This would be a great spot for another restaurant. Easy for me to say!
May 11th, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Found this design online: http://www.rolaarchitects.com/4610_Cedar_Ave_op_248x147.jpg
May 12th, 2015 at 10:13 am
Perhaps now he’ll at least get the $4500 a month rent he was asking for that little shack after turning down so many all these years. He couldn’t even keep the credit union when they were considering a satellite location – and they’re made of money! Can’t wait to see what these spaces will rent for. Gee – maybe we’ll get another Subway!
May 12th, 2015 at 11:58 am
@Jambone – it was my understanding that the credit union was always a temporary thing as they were renovating their other location, or something like that. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. Also, regardless of the rent he was asking, I think the immediate neighbors fought a lot of attempts in the past for things like an ice cream shop. Glad to see something is being built there. Hoping it’s not too ugly.
May 12th, 2015 at 4:56 pm
wonder where will that hummer park now?
May 12th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
@jkl – the credit union liked the site so they were going to leave a satellite there even after their renovations were done. but the guy was gouging them so they ditched the idea. he had lots of options for tenants at the going market rate but wanted the moon. then he asked neighbors to support a variance for takeout. the request was declined. i’ll bet he made out just fine with a private parking spot and being able to write off the moonshot “loss” against some other business. like you, i’m glad to see something going up there and hoping for the best.
May 12th, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Based on the rendering that “J” gave a link to, if that’s what is going to be built, I’d rather have the parking lot.
Does anybody know what the zoning for this lot allows?
May 13th, 2015 at 2:35 pm
OUch that rendering shows that they are going to tear up the little parklet there. Sad.
May 13th, 2015 at 3:54 pm
I don’t think so. His property is only part of that strip of land and doesn’t include the parklet.
May 14th, 2015 at 3:08 pm
the rendering even shows the tree from the parklet in the foreground.