Category chestnut hill

What does the future hold for Germantown?

Germantown is a part of Philadelphia that is unique to almost anywhere else in the city. It has tons of history, incredible architecture, a functional Main Street, lots of public transportation options, close access to Fairmount Park, and beautiful tree lined streets.

Based on everything I just listed, it almost sounds like it should be a top neighborhood choice in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, it’s not. Why?

As stated in this article, Germantown lacks cohesiveness from its residents. After its largest community group (Germantown Settlement) went down in flames last year after the city discovered corruption and a total misuse of funds, the neighborhood is struggling to find firm footing. The good news is, they’re trying.

Germantown has the potential to be just as successful (if not more successful) than its 2 neighbors to the west, Mt Airy and Chestnut Hill, but it will need a solid plan of action to attract the right investors and concerned neighbors to follow through.

Chestnut Hill businesses are thriving once again

It’s true.

Even in this down economy, and with the exit of large anchor businesses such as Borders and Express, Chestnut Hill is starting to fill up its lingering vacancies. A good sign for the historic main street.

From Iron Hill to Earth, businesses are seeing value in Chestnut Hill; especially with today’s lower commercial rates. Let’s also not forget about the proposed Bowman project at the old Magarity Ford site.

Personally, I think that Chestnut Hill’s effort to re-brand the neighborhood has also helped.

New developments are coming to Mt Airy

Now, I don’t want to offend anyone living in the Mt Airy neighborhood (because it’s a great neighborhood with great people), but it looks like they have been emulating the Chestnut Hill model over the past few years. Invest in the commercial district, and they will come.

To tell you the truth, the stretch between Cresheim Valley Rd and Mt Pleasant Ave is starting to look like one contiguous commercial district that technically starts 2 miles away at Chestnut Hill Ave. Mt Airy & Chestnut Hill are not the same neighborhood, nor are they trying to look like one another; but what they have found is a way to make their shared commercial corridor even more successful.

This article will help shed some light.