South Philly Review

New construction may cover the beloved Frank Sinatra mural that was created in 1999 with plans for the six-story apartment/retail complex slated to go before the zoning board in October (File Photo).

Residents are fearful the Frank Sinatra mural at Broad and Wharton streets may be in jeopardy of being covered by a proposed apartment/retail complex planned for a 2,942-square-foot plot at 1233 S. Broad that wraps around and touches Titan Street to the south.

"It had been mentioned," Peter Zutter, South Broad Street Neighborhood Association president, said at the July 21 meeting to discuss residents' issues, of which the al fresco piece is just one, with the proposed six-story building. "It's kind of unfortunate because the mural is a great thing to have because it's a real landmark. Unfortunately, the owner of the lot [Qing Gui Zheng] does have the right to build something there."

Community members are upset about the potential outcome, Anthony Giunta, who resides at Broad and Wharton, said.

"I'm thinking how can we maybe save this? So I started to hatch this plan and investigate how feasible this is," he said of saving the 10-year-old mural that depicts the crooner singing in shafts of spotlights as adoring fans look on.

Giunta has not devised a concept yet, but has reached out to WPHT radio personality Sid Mark, who launched the show "The Sounds of Sinatra" more than 50 years ago, to help save what the many consider a point of pride.

"It is certainly a tourist attraction," Giunta said. "I, living across the street, see people stopping all of the time. It's pretty amazing."

About 30 community members came out to discuss three potential zoning projects, including the lot next to the mural, Zutter said. The sessions are a way for residents to give input into local developments before they are presented to the city's zoning board.

Zheng purchased the land late last year for $120,000. Peggy Tang, Zheng's business partner at Urban Real Estate Investment Inc. of West Point, and architect Yao Huang of YCH Architect, 1823 Spring Garden St., presented the plan to residents at the July 21 session. The structure would be about 67-feet high with five apartments on the top four floors with the lower two reserved for commercial enterprises, including a real estate business on the second floor. However, the property is zoned C2, or mixed-use commercial, which calls for a three-story building not to exceed 30 feet, Zutter said.

"This is really far and above than what a C2 allows," he said. "People really thought it was too much use for a lot of that size."

Tang and Huang plan to take the feedback into consideration.

"We are considering reducing it a little bit," she said of the structure, adding it might be decreased by a floor.

Residents voiced other concerns, such as shade the building would cause since it would tower over the small section of Titan east of Broad.

"They're taking away from our privacy in our backyards and taking away all the sun from our gardens," James Guldin, of the 1300 block of Titan, said citing how the taller building will allow their new neighbors to peer down into their personal spaces.

Parking also was a concern, with the addition of more residents and businesses the building is looking to attract.

"A lot of people who are moving into the neighborhood are bringing cars with them, so parking is already tight as it is in all of South Philly," Zutter said.

Urban Real Estate Investment has rehabbed and rebuilt numerous properties in the area, including homes at 1726 S. 13th St. and 1122 Alder St., Tang said.

The plans for 1233 S. Broad were unveiled July 14 to the Passyunk Square Civic Association and the two neighborhood groups will hold a joint meeting for the revised concept prior to the zoning board date, Jackie Gustic, the Passyunk Square association's president, said. The developers are looking to go before the board in October, where the associations will weigh in on the design, whether it be positive or negative, Zutter said.

"Hopefully, we can draw a line down the middle and reach a good compromise," he said.