PHS pop up garden could be coming to one of these vacant lots
The Pennsylvania Horticultural society is considering two South Philly vacant lots to be transformed into one of the pop up gardens in the city this summer.
At the Passyunk Square Civic Association meeting on Tuesday night, Jeffrey Barg of PHS presented to the public the two possible locations. The first is the vacant lot at 9th and Wharton which is set for development in the fall. The second possibility is the long-vacant Ice House lot at 9th and Washington in the Italian Market.
The owners of the 9th and Wharton lot are on board for the space to be used for a pop up garden and the owners of the Ice House lot are still considering.
Of the 40 attendees at the meeting, the majority agreed that they’d like to see the Ice House lot in the Italian Market utilized for this pop up park since it’s been a neighborhood eyesore for years.
According to Barg, the 9th and Wharton lot is 7,800 sq. ft. and the Ice House lot is 15,000 sq. ft. If the Ice House lot is chosen for the pop up garden space, only 2/3 of it would likely be used. Typically the pop up gardens are about 10,000 sq. ft.
The public voiced concerns about the trash accumulation, especially with the Wharton lot which is located in close proximity to Pat’s and Geno’s.
Although only one of these lots could end up becoming a pop up garden, PHS is considering having two pop up gardens this summer instead of one. Last year, the garden was located at 1438 South St. If all goes as planned, you will likely see one of these gardens in South Philly and a second in a different neighborhood in the city.
This year, PHS hopes to have the pop up gardens open by Memorial Day.
Which of these vacant lots would you like to see used for a pop up garden?
Problem with Ice House lot: the smell of Anastasi Seafood. It’s tough biking past there on Washington, I’m not sure I’d want to hang out in the “fresh air” next door.
Good call! I don’t think the pop up would be busy on those hot summer days or nights when Washington Ave smells like a fish market!
I’m walking down 9th street all the time, and I have no idea what/where the Ice House lot is. What/where is it? Is it that space behind all the plywood on the east side of 9th street?
Bingo. I think that’d be a solid place. In re: to above comment, I don’t think Anastasi smells too fishy besides a few times I’ve walked by in the early morning hours. In fact, I think it smells quite fine at night, when the bar and restaurant are open. I’d take it over the plague of tourists (and crappy food smell) you’d have to deal with next to Pats/Genos.
That’s it, yes.
Yes, it’s the lot behind all of that plywood on the NE corner.
Oh, that would be great, what a waste of space
Yes, that’s it. The HUGE empty lot behind the plywood wall that’s falling down. It used to be an Ice & Coal factory/building that was demolished years ago and have been abandon ever since. Would be soo awesome if PHS utilized that space.
Minor correction: the photo given above as last year’s pop-up is actually the 2013 pop-up on Broad St.
Oops, thanks for pointing that out!
I hope Icehouse is chosen over 9th and Wharton. I feel putting it there will just feel like a place for people to eat there Pat’s and Genos. Instead of a public space park it will feel and smell like their outdoor dining room. I unfortunately couldn’t get to the meeting to express my feelings.
Living two blocks from Pat’s and Geno’s, as excited as I’d be for a beer garden nearby, totally agree it would be a nightmare for this exact reason. Ice House would be much better.
Yes, same. I live 3 blocks from Pats and Genos on Wharton. It was exciting to hear but I believe Washington might be a better pick for just this reason. Wouldn’t want it overcrowded with cheesesteaks and tourists
The organization is the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. I often make the same mistake!
Agree that the Ice House lot would be great. Grab a drink there, then pop over to Monsu for dinner. Now that’s a quality night.
The comments about a beer garden next to Pat’s and Geno’s are spot on. Icehouse lot all the way. Also, 9th street is less residential anyway, taking away certain community concerns, brings people within a quick walk of all the great stores, and could give a real boost to their businesses. As for the trash concern, the beer garden operators should be held accountable and even pay for cleaning. (When they’re done they can hit up 11th street).
IceHouse. The popups are busy enough without tourists. Italian Market needs a nightlife boost.