Renovation underway at 47th and Kingsessing.

Neighbors backing the plan to bring two pre-schools to the recently purchased church building at 47th and Kingsessing are collecting signatures for a zoning change that would help make the plan a reality.

Back in January we reported that the 114-year-old Frank Furness-designed church building at 47th and Kingsessing was undergoing renovation thanks to local developer Guy Laren, who bought the deteriorating building and saved it from demolition. Laren’s plans include opening two pre-schools that would occupy about 40 percent of the large building after the renovation has been completed. The schools are Little Learners, currently located next to Four Worlds Bakery on the 4600 block of Woodland Avenue and Children’s Community School, currently in the basement of Calvary Center at 48th and Baltimore. Relocation to the church building would allow both schools to expand and accept more kids for the next school year.

The petition can be downloaded here. Supporters are asking those interested to sign the petition and drop it off at Four Worlds Bakery, 4634 Woodland (you can put it in the mailbox if the shop is closed). You can also show your support for the zoning changes at the Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing on April 15 at 2 p.m. The address is 1515 Arch Street, 18th Floor. Guy Laren and the directors of Little Learners and Children’s Community School are expected to be at the hearing.

UPDATE: There’s also an online version of the petition on Change.org.