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The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA) Board selected local developer Onion Flats to develop the Rivage site at Kelly Drive, Calumet Street and Ridge Avenue. The Onion Flats proposal will bring 126 residential units and 8,700 square feet of retail to the currently vacant parcel. For years, East Falls has worked to make sure that a good use would come to this City-owned, purchased to make certain it would be developed to benefit the area. This particular project was strongly preferred by the East Falls community.
“Onion Flats has proposed an exciting development that will create a spectacular gateway to East Falls,” notes PRA Executive Director Ed Covington.
The development will be a five-story building with one- and two-bedroom rental units. The retail space will be located along Ridge Avenue and Calumet Street. It will also include a 20,000 square foot garden and a River Terrace along Kelly Drive.
The completed development will be Philadelphia’s first, and the nation’s largest, net zero energy mixed-use residential-retail community. Net zero energy means that the development’s net energy consumption will be zero. All energy required for heating, cooling, lighting and domestic hot water will be generated on site. Other sustainability elements will include: green roofs, 300 kilowatt photovoltaic solar array, parking for Zip Cars and charging ports for electric vehicles, plus interior bicycle storage for all residents. The proposal includes design requirements and guidelines developed by the EFDC through community meetings and incorporated into the PRA’s Request for Proposals, such as parking along Ridge Avenue and variation in the cornice line.
The design of the development “is unlike anything seen before in Philadelphia,” said Covington. “It will completely transform the way Philadelphians view residential and retail development and set a new standard for our city.” Four proposals had been received to develop the site. When the PRA short-listed the proposals to two, the East Falls community had an opportunity to hear from both potential developers and see their plans. The EFDC had provided to the PRA an analysis of the financial feasibility of the development as well as an extensive report regarding the community input about the proposals (available at eastfalls-pa.com). The PRA board approved preliminary selection of Onion Flats as the developer for the Rivage site at its December 5, 2011 board meeting. PRA and Onion Flats have until June 2012 to enter into a full redevelopment agreement. That agreement will include a final sales price for the parcel and the development’s specific design and sustainability features. Construction is expected to start to early 2013 and be completed in spring 2014.
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