The space at 106 Jamestown Avenue has become a staple in the neighborhood. The PHS opened the pop-up beer garden in 2020 with a focus on gardening, connection, and community impact.
Franki Jupiter, who runs trivia at the site, told Action News, "It's this beautiful sprawling space. Tons of room. It's quite pet-friendly, people-friendly, pollinator friendly."
A representative with the PHS told Action News their lease expires this December.
"We have been especially grateful for the opportunity to be part of Manayunk for an extended period of time, and it has been a privilege to see how strongly the neighborhood has embraced the PHS Pop Up Garden," PHS said in a statement. "At the same time, our understanding has always been that the site was a leased, temporary location and that the lease would eventually come to an end at some point in the future."
Local developer Dan Greenberg and Norristown-based architecture firm Barton Associates have now proposed that a 73-unit apartment building be constructed on the site. They submitted their plans to the city's planning commission in the spring.
Since then, some neighbors in Manayunk have spoken out in opposition to the proposal.
Annie Schuster told Action News, "I know development in Manayunk is inevitable. I'm not going to pretend like we can keep this wonderful pop-up garden forever. But then I saw the plans for the building, and I was like, this really can't be happening."
One of the biggest concerns for people who live near the lot is that only 36 parking spots are included in the proposal. They worry that could lead to parking constraints in Manayunk, where parking is already at a premium.
Neighbors said they are also worried about the current commercial space being replaced with residential space.
"I guess my biggest problem with the project is that they are trying to take away viable commercial space in the neighborhood and asking to have it be zoned for residential use, which I think is a big mistake," said Rhiannon Smith, of Manayunk.
Smith said she understands the need for development, but she hoped the bottom floor of the apartment building could include some kind of business.
"This space is so great because it's uphill slightly and out of the floodplain a bit," she added. "So, I think it's a lost opportunity to rezone it fully to residential when it's a great spot for commercial."
In order to construct residential space on the land, a zoning change is required. That subject is set to go before the city's zoning board on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.
Several hundred people have signed a petition asking the city's zoning board to intervene. They also had Philadelphia Councilman Curtis Jones come to the site in late June to discuss the proposal.
"When I took the tour, I looked up, and I came to the conclusion that this really was not a good place for this type of development," Councilman Jones said. "Outdoor space is not just outdoor space. It's where people enjoy each other. It's where communities come together."
Neighbors, like Smith, Schuster and Jupiter are now asking for dialogue with the developer and architects. They hope they will consult the community before moving forward.
"I can't knock developers for developing. The fact there does need to be housing around here is understood. The problem is, it's at best tone deaf the way the developers are going about it," Jupiter said.
"Talk to the community that you're going in to develop. Figure out what it is that they actually want in that space," he added.
Meantime, Smith said, "I would really urge the zoning board and our local council member to not support these zoning exceptions without real thought put into place. We should demand real community benefits."
"While I know it won't stay a pop-up garden forever, I don't want it to turn into giant luxury apartments that give nothing back to the neighborhood."
Action News has made repeated efforts to speak with the developer and the architecture firm. Neither has responded to our requests for comment.