As a relatively new resident, I know little about the history of the surface lot on Fairmount Avenue.

I realize that I may be opening up a whole messy can of worms here, but why is this plot a parking lot?

I understand the neighborhood parking issue. I agree that it is probably one of the more genteel surface lots in the city. But this should be ridiculously valuable real estate. A mixed-use development on the site would be gold. Done correctly, you could keep the parking by either putting it underground or by putting it on the roof, and really make Fairmount Avenue into the Main Street that it so definitely has the potential to be.

Are there any plans to do something with this land, or is what is there already the plan?

It would also be great if they did something with the Eastern State Penitentary...like a make it a museum or something

maybe that was a joke?

eastern state is a major museum and historical site. and im guessing the lot is there for those who drive into the city to visit it. the lot is especially useful in october, when all the cars who come in for the terror behind the walls turn in there instead of clogging up the neighborhood even more

I think that a lot like what Penn put in at 38th & Walnut (not too obtrusive, with retail on the ground floor) might look alright there as well as help solve the parking problem in the neighborhood, but would probably get killed by NIMBY's who don't want their views of the penitentiary blocked.

As far as why it's there, from what I've seen it looks like it's mostly occupied by people with monthly passes. I don't know that it's even open at an hourly rate. That's also where Fairmount's Phillycarshare pod is located.

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would be a great spot for a multilevel garage with some retail.

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There were lots of plans for that space about 10-15 years ago, when it was an unofficial parking lot for the neighborhood (meaning an abandoned lot that people parked in). I think there was so much fighting over what should go there that they eventually just settled on a parking lot. I have no idea what the details are, but that's what it seemed happened. It turned into an official parking lot right around the time the real estate values went way up -- so it made the neighborhood look a little more inviting, especially to people coming to hang out at night, but I don't think the value of the land was nearly what it would be today.

It's an Historical Landmark....it ain't goin' nowhere! It already is a "museum" of sorts. It's open to tours on a daily basis....AND as was pointed out...it becomes "Terror Behind the Walls" every October. That is rated one of the top ten haunted houses. Not to mention the TONS of people and $$$$$$$$$ it brings into your neighborhood.

I think Fumo is part owner of it. Maybe he will sell it for his Jail bond and someone can put something more useful there, like a parking garage with retail.

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You missed the first meeting but I’m sure that you could still work with or at least provide input to the committees working on the parking issue.

From the Fairmount Civic Association Website


Parking and Transportation Meeting – June 1

The FCA and the FCDC jointly formed a working “Parking Committee” to address parking and transportation needs in our neighborhood. The Parking Committee will hold a meeting on Thursday, June 1st at 6:30pm at the 2nd floor of Jack's Firehouse. If you are interested in attending the meeting, joining the committee, or participating in one of the task forces, contact David Thomsen at r2@fairmountcivicassociation.org

On a parking related issue in another section of the neighborhood, don’t forget about tonight’s public meeting at the Art Museum.

Art Museum Garage Proposal - June 5 - 7:00 pm

The Art Museum has invited the FCA to a briefing about their development of a parking garage with 440+ spaces and a Sculpture Garden.

It’s at the Museum at a time when it is normally closed. It’s in the Museum’s large auditorium.