Timing is critical in Presser and Nugent homes
development
by DREW LAZOR
The development project for the Nugent and Presser homes
on W. Johnson St. in Mt. Airy is progressing, and the local community
groups have made some sizeable contributions to the plan. A meeting was
held at Grace Baptist Church on Nov. 29 to update neighbors regarding
the process. It was the second official meeting between developers and
the community since the first gathering on Aug. 16.
The project is headed by two principles: Sean D. McDougall, head of Visionary
Development Company in Wallingford, Pa., and James A. Nolen IV of Nolen
Properties, LLC in Manayunk. Washington, D.C.-based architect George Calomiris
is in charge of exterior aesthetics. The project is multi-faceted: the
primary objective is to convert the Presser Home for Retired Musicians
and the Nugent Baptist Home into market-rate apartments. The developers
also plan to construct entirely new condominiums at the location.
There are three community groups currently involved with the project
— the West Mt. Airy Neighbors, the West Germantown Central Germantown
Neighbors and the Pomona Cherokee Council. Each of the groups has worked
with developers to make sure the concerns of the community are taken into
consideration. At the latest meeting, community members discussed issues
including parking, traffic and design. “We are trying to give the
community as much input as humanly possible,” said Nolen.
At the meeting, Calomiris presented six different options for the design
and actual placement of the brand-new structures, including a few that
community members had not yet seen. They were able to assess the pros
and cons of the options and give input for each. “The developers
looked at the meeting as an opportunity to go straight to the community
and take the temperature of the near neighbors regarding the designs,”
said Laura Siena, director of the West Mt. Airy Neighbors.
Siena added that the committee has been receptive to the suggestions
of each community group. Many near neighbors voiced concerns regarding
the parking burden the proposed complex might place on W. Johnson St.
Currently, the developers are working to secure a one-to-one parking spot-to-apartment
ratio. “Parking is always an issue,” she said. “The
developers are trying for a ratio that they say is better than many of
the other rental apartment complexes around the area.” Currently,
the site is slated to hold anywhere from 160 to 170 apartments, which
will vary in size from one to three bedrooms.
Jim Foster, vice president of Pomona Cherokee, has also worked closely
with developers since the project was announced. Since the border of jurisdiction
between the West Mt. Airy Neighbors and Pomona Cherokee is the middle
of Johnson Street, his group has significant pull in terms of what happens
on the block. In addition to parking and traffic, another major issue
is preserving the location’s visual appeal. “Speaking for
our community, we are pleased that the developers listened to several
of the initial comments made by my group, and altered the footprint of
how and where the new buildings will be constructed,” Foster said.
The developers took suggestions regarding how they would maintain the
old growth landscape and maximize green space.
“This property is being developed by folks that seem honestly interested
in making a statement here,” he added. “They came to the community
on their own in the very beginning. I saw that as a positive step.”
The undertaking is of significant interest to both the city and the immediate
community since the Nugent and Presser buildings are historical sites.
The developers are applying for federal tax credits for the project. On
Dec. 20, Calomiris will make a presentation to a review committee of the
Philadelphia Historical Commission, which will determine whether or not
the project is feasible from a preservation standpoint. The developers
must also address the Zoning Board of Adjustment for feedback on variance
issues. “There’s a lot of moving pieces to this puzzle,”
said Siena.
One aspect Nolen stressed at the meeting was the timeframe of construction.
The developers hope to break ground by this summer. “The timing
is critical,” he said. “We’re excited about getting
started. Hopefully, it will be sooner than later.” The developer
said he is optimistic about the impact the new complex will have on Mt.
Airy. “We are very excited about this project,” said Nolen.
“It will bring with it an enormous amount of momentum for this market.”
According to Foster, another community meeting with developers is tentatively
planned for January.
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