PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread X

[summersm343]

New Ordinance Could Sweeten the Development Pot for PPA Garage at 10th & Ludlow

The Autopark at Jefferson near 10th & Ludlow is owned by the PPA and has been around for over fifty years.

Thanks to a Washington Square West Civic Association zoning meeting last night, we know there are big plans ahead for this transit-accessible property. Back in May, the PPA released an RFP to redevelop the property, which is zoned CMX-5 – the most permissible zoning in Philadelphia’s code. The plans called for a developer to fully fund and build… something, as long as it had plenty of parking included that could be used by the PPA once completed. That apparently wasn’t quite enticing enough for developers, with the 1200% Floor-area-ratio (FAR) and the inclusion of so much above ground parking (which would require a trip to the zoning board), likely made it difficult for a project to pencil out. In a clever political move, the PPA team is taking a very development-friendly approach, working with Councilmember Squilla on drafting an ordinance to include this parking garage in the “Super CMX-5” overlay in Center City. This overlay sits immediately across the street and allows for 1600% FAR by right.

But that’s not all! The pot is sweetened further by two other pieces in the legislation: first, the “mission-oriented” eight-floors of parking would NOT be included in FAR calculations, and this above grade parking would NOT trigger a trip to the ZBA. This would, in effect, allow for a 2400% FAR if you count the parking, basically doubling what was permitted earlier. The site would include retail along Chestnut St. to activate the frontage, while parking for 650 cars would be spread over the rest of the bottom eight floors. The team even provided some massing visuals of what could potentially rise on the property, showcasing what could be another new addition to the skyline.

Read/view more here:
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/m...pment-pot-for-ppa-garage-at-10th-ludlow/