SOSNA hosted the first community input meeting for 1600 Carpenter, the site of Hoa Binh Plaza. The project was presented via ZOOM on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 to over 50 neighbors and impacted parties by the project’s Attorney, Dawn Tancredi (Zarwin Baum) architect, Rustin Ohler (HDO Architects) and developer Jesse Lawrence (Streamline Philly).
The L-shaped parcel proposed mostly front Carpenter, 16th and Washington Ave. The Southeast corner (1601 Washington Avenue) of the lot is owned by another party and is not under review currently and is not being developed simultaneously with 1600 Carpenter. The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing building. The parcel is currently zoned I-2 with a total area of 60,000 sqft. The north side of the parcel will consist of twelve (12) single family homes with 1 car garage, five (5) seven-family dwellings with 2 car garage and seven (7) two-family dwellings. The south side of the parcel will be home to one mixed use parcel containing 34 underground parking spaces, 1 commercial space on the first floor and 132 apartments above the commercial (7 stories). The plan is to subdivide the north and south lots and develop them separately (excluding the corner 1601 Washington Avenue).
The site has pedestrian walkways throughout and a drive aisle between the townhomes and seven-family dwellings with a combination of up/down lighting and integrated landscape design. Each structure has roof decks but no pilot houses are proposed.
Some common questions and concerns that arose during the meeting included:
The relationship between 1601 Washington parcel and 1600 Carpenter (different owners; will be developed separately; 1601 Washington Ave has a valid permit)
The process for this project (pursuing ordinance through City Council; will host more community input meetings followed by a vote from the community to get approval; will work on legislation with Councilman Johnson; expect to do subdivide the lots and develop them simultaneously mid- to late-2021)
General concern about this Streamline’s work history and how safety and quality materials can be guaranteed for this project (Committed to going above and beyond hitting the marks for quality construction).
Potential occupants for the commercial space and future of displaced Hoa Binh Plaza tenants (currently seeking a commercial tenant for the 15,000 sqft space; willing to create opportunities for displaced tenants)
Hiring of women/minority owned businesses and contractors (Pursuing ordinance route which his minimum requirements for contractors; SOSNA CBA components include minority, disabled and women-owned contractors and commercial tenants)