The intersection at 12th, Passyunk and Morris includes everything from newer spots like Bing Bing Dim Sum and Palo Santo Wellness boutique, to longer-standing stores like A Man’s Image, the Dollar Store and Interior Concepts.

With a lot happening at this intersection, one of the major concerns has been that of safety when crossing these streets. A meeting was held by the East Passyunk Crossing Civic Association last night to discuss the plans for the pedestrian improvements that we’ve been telling you about for some time now.

Approximately 40 people attended the meeting to voice their opinions on the two options which were presented for the intersection. The Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Association, Streets Department, the Commerce Department and the project engineers were at the meeting to present and take questions from the community.

Both options include pedestrian triangles or peninsulas to improve the walkability of the intersection, but along with the improvements, there are still some sacrifices that would need to be made. No matter what is done to this intersection, the main goal is to improve the crosswalk for ADA compliance, upgrade the traffic signals, along with some other greening and streetscape improvements.

Alternative 1 for the intersection includes two pedestrian islands. With this option, 7 parking spots would be lost, but 1 new spot would be added to the intersection.

Alternative 2 includes a similar design, but instead of having two pedestrian islands, there would be one island and one peninsula. With this design, the addition of the peninsula by A Man’s Image would restrict turns from East Passyunk Avenue to 12th Street. Some neighbors voiced concerns over the loss of this turn, which would cause them to drive a few extra blocks to turn right onto 12th. This option would also include the loss of 7 parking spots, but with the addition of 2 new spots.

When the plans were put to a vote, 24 people voted for Alternative 1, 16 people voted for either option, 7 voted for Alternative 2 and 4 people voted against both plans.

Once a plan is decided on, this project should begin in early 2016 and be completed in June, sometime after Flavors on the Avenue. A total of $700,000 funded by the Commerce Department and PARC is expected to cover the cost of these improvements.