SOUTH PHILLY: Have A Beef With Parking?

Could Building Plan Hurt Beef Trust?

SOUTH PHILLY’s iconic steak shops, Geno’s and Pat’s, already bring tons of tourists to the area. Next up, an 18-unit apartment complex with five commercial stores.

Bella Vista may be getting more than just cheesesteak tourists.

The developer of a property at 9th & Wharton streets, Paul Mirabello, proposes building a four-story, 18-unit apartment complex with five commercial stores… with no on-site parking.

As everyone knows, it’s rough to find parking in South Philadelphia as it is. And neighbors are bracing themselves for even more of a headache.

South Philly homeowner Gilbert Lettieri’s family has lived on Wharton Street for 90 years.

“Currently, there are 10 restaurants, three with liquor licenses between Wharton and Federal Streets,” he said. “The law states that businesses are only required to clean in front of their stores. In the past, we tried to get help from the City of Philadelphia by adding a bathroom in the ballpark, neighborhood street cleaning and a mini police station nearby to solve this issue. Many are open all night with no bathrooms … and outdoor-seating options which cause more congestion. Today, none of these solutions has been executed while the tourists, trash, parking, noise and public urination has gotten worse.”

Lettieri predicts parking will also get worse. And he assumes the city will side with the developer because of the tax income generated and the influx of customers to the area.

SOUTH PHILLY’s iconic steak shops, Geno’s and Pat’s, already bring tons of tourists to the area. Next up, an 18-unit apartment complex with five commercial stores.

“If it was not for our sacrifices to maintain our properties, pay our taxes and be good citizens, the neighborhood would have deteriorated,” he said. “The City conveniently overlooks these facts.”

He urges Bella Vista residents to speak out at upcoming civic meetings.

Smart to speak up would be the owners of Geno’s and Pat’s King of Steaks. The lack of parking, even momentarily, will no doubt hurt their bottom lines, since drivers will have to park as far away as five blocks to secure a legal parking space. This applies especially to those visiting the landmarks as tourists and first-timers.

There will be a zoning board of adjustments hearing at 1515 Arch Street (18th floor) on Wednesday, Jun. 17 at noon that can help change the recommended commercial and stay residential zoning.

The Passyunk Square Civic Association meets at 10th & Dickinson Streets (Annunciation BVM’s basement) the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. For more info, visit passyunksquare.org and follow on Passyunk Square’s Facebook or Twitter.

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