Centennial Parkside CDC (1980)

Help Viola Street Residents Defend Our Neighborhood

The Viola Street Residents Association is raising $30,000 to hire a zoning attorney to protect our historic neighborhood from overdevelopment. A developer is proposing to build either a group living space for up to 50 people or a 16-unit apartment building on a block currently zoned for single-family homes. These plans threaten to overcrowd our small residential street, overwhelming it with cars, trash, and other challenges.

Our community has worked tirelessly to create an award-winning Conceptual Design for Block and Neighborhood Revitalization. These developer proposals not only clash with our vision but also violate the purpose and intent of the city’s zoning code.

The East Parkside community is already saturated with a sizable number of group living residences on surrounding blocks. Adding more density will strain our infrastructure, disrupt our neighborhood’s historic character, create overcrowding and risk displacing long-term residents.

We need your support to retain an attorney who can represent us during upcoming zoning hearings and help us build a legal defense fund to protect against challenges that will harm our community . This is not just about one block—this is about preserving the right of Philadelphians to determine what safe, healthy, and sustainable growth looks like in their communities.

Funds will be managed by Centennial Parkside CDC on behalf of the Viola Street Residents Association. Your contribution helps us stand up for our vision of a thriving, livable neighborhood.

Donate today to help us defend Viola Street!