The new Merion Village Blog has a great post about the future redevelopment of Parsons Avenue. As a current resident of German Village, I’ve always had a curious interest in Parsons. I think for a lot of people it’s been acting as a sort of barrier for continued growth eastward from German Village, Schumacher Place, and Merion Village. While Parsons does have it’s share of used car lots, drive-thrus, and an adult bookstore, it does have some positives including the ever-growing Children’s Hospital complex, unique businesses such as Plank’s Cafe & Pizzaria, and an ok Kroger Grocery store that could be posed for a future freshening.
The post below includes a map of proposed development of a few blocks along Parsons. At first glance I wasn’t a bit fan of the large parking lots, but after I thought about it a bit more, they’re a better alternative to the current street parking along Parsons. I’ve often thought it should be removed from the street and put somewhere else. A streetcar line would even be nice to roll down through this area. And those parking lots hidden around back could easily be turned into parking garages when the need arrives.
Parsons Avenue
November 3rd, 2007
There’s something I’ve always liked about Parsons Avenue. When the street is damp and the lights reflect off of the pavement and one squints just a little, it can look just like a street scape out of the 1930’s.There’s a few more things are not so pleasant. Decay. Abandonment. Blight. Litter. The Greater Parsons Avenue Vision Plan addresses the challenges as well as the benefits of the Avenue. Most surprising was that crime in the area is not nearly as high as most folks might think.Another statement in the Vision Plan notes that high-school kids do not feel connected to the area because there is little, if anything for them to do along Parsons Avenue. Employment options are limited for them, as well, in their own neighborhood.Parsons Avenue is a vital part of the neighborhood and its future success is in direct correlation to the stability of it’s adjacent neighborhoods. The question is, how do we help it along?
