Eclipse Realty plans to build luxury apartments and retail at the corner of Frankford Ave. and Master St. The parcel of land at this corner is an active community green space. Jason Andrew Turner’s iconic mural looks over it, providing a backdrop for a popular photo destination. It’s also popular with dog walkers, bird watchers, artists, readers and friends. While its upkeep has had its stronger and weaker periods over the years, community gardeners and neighbors have often helped it to flourish. Adorable dogs absolutely adore it. A diverse array of birds including eagles, warblers, and even cedar waxwings, have made use of the trees and other plants that have grown here. In the past, gardeners have grown apothecary herbs, veggies and flowers. This is where friends come to connect, where the soon to be married are photographed, where after a long day of work coworkers can gather without spending. It was crucial during the pandemic lockdown of 2020. It is a moment of peace on an increasingly busy and chaotic stretch of Frankford Ave. The proposed building represents a significant loss to the local community, and to the attractiveness of the block.

      Eclipse Realty plans to replace this popular community green space with 28 market-rate luxury units and several ground floor retail spaces. Their plan includes no open space for the public and no parking. Dogs will not be able to play here. Eclipse’s architects have retained some trees which is admirable, but it does not adequately preserve space as a resource to the local community. In addition to preserving public green space, affordable housing units should be included in any construction and retail tenants should be obtained based on community interest rather than corporate affiliation. 

      The bike parking is welcome but local cyclists are already endangered by frequent and frantic street parking of increasing numbers of visitors and residents who drive. This building would attract more traffic. Car parking should be provided when more motorists are invited.

     The mural has become a landmark and should be visible from the street. Any construction on this block should be limited so as not to obstruct the view. If the developer sees no way to preserve the community’s enjoyment of the mural and the value it brings as a landmark and attraction, then the developer should at least provide an opportunity to a local artist to create a developer funded public sculpture that could be a replacement landmark.

     We, the undersigned, believe Fishtown deserves more from developers who cash in on our neighborhood’s character. We urge Eclipse to preserve the harmony on this block by limiting the encroachment on this space which has been a longstanding landmark and resource to the local community.