Tower near Schuylkill River Park wins design approval

A 20-story residential tower planned at the entrance to the popular Schuylkill River Park won final approval Tuesday from the Civic Design Review board, despite concerns that the project could seriously affect pedestrian safety and an adjacent community garden.

The unanimous decision cleared the way for developer Carl Dranoff to start construction next fall. Joan Wells, president of the Schuylkill River Park Community Garden, said she was disappointed that the review board gave the project a green light, especially after several board members pointed out problems with the design. "He doesn't have to change anything now," she complained.

While Dranoff has all the approvals he needs to start construction, he acknowledged during the hearing that some of the criticism was legitimate, and offered to continue meeting with residents to discuss revisions to the design, by Cecil Baker + Partners. "I want to be collaborative," he said. Any changes are likely to be modest. For instance, Dranoff said he that he could not agree to a key demand from opponents to shift the tower farther away from the garden. Doing so, he argued, would require a major redesign and time-consuming city approvals.

 The mixed-used project, which is being called One Riverside, is planned for a small triangular parking lot on 25th Street immediately south of the Locust Street entrance to the Schuylkill Banks trail. The slim glass tower would rise along the southern edge of the site, just eight feet from the community garden. It would stand alongside a one-story parking garage on 25th Street.

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