Important changes have been made to a big development plan next to Clark Park, and West Philadelphia community members are being kept out of the loop. Read below and consider signing this petition to support holding a meeting with the people responsible for this project before they begin construction.

On May 7, the owner of the lot, NYC-based Clarkmore L P, obtained a permit from the city to break ground on a long stalled project at 4224 Baltimore Ave., a vacant lot next to Clark Park on 43rd & Baltimore. Back in 2015, Clarkmore and then-developer U3 Ventures got the green light on a very different design that in no way resembles the current proposal other than its relative size (still 132 units, mixed residential/commercial, no mention of affordable or low-income housing). Visually and aesthetically the new design is a far cry from what was originally proposed following community input four years ago, as can be seen between the two illustrations shown in this PhilaRising article: https://tinyurl.com/y3zlwj66

Due to the size of the proposed structure and its potential to greatly alter the character of the neighborhood -- and especially given its proximity to a public park that is widely used by community members of West Philly and beyond -- it is URGENT and IMPERATIVE that Clarkmore consult with the community about their revised plans. Before breaking ground on this project, West Philly deserves to know:

*Why is U3 Ventures no longer associated with the project at 4224 Baltimore?
*Why has The Clarkmore Group failed to update community members about the delays and changes to their previous plans?
*What is the environmental impact of building this size of a structure on ground that is unstable due to the presence of a buried creek and sewer line underneath the property? (More on Mill Creek here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mill_Creek_(Philadelphia) )
*Have the owners and developers assessed the environmental impact of building this size of a structure on the integrity of other structures (primarily along 43rd street) that are also built on top of Mill Creek?

These are a few of the questions that community members, and anyone who cares about Clark Park, deserve answers to BEFORE the developer embarks on a project which, in its current form, has received virtually no input from the community.

The Clarkmore Group should remember that community support is critical for any success they might find with their plans for 4224 Baltimore. As a show of good faith and continued cooperation, similar to their work four years ago, they should meet with community members BEFORE proceeding with breaking ground on the lot. It's the bare minimum.