The former Rite Aid at 6201 Germantown Ave. may become a primary care facility for seniors, pending the approval of a special exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). 

Located on the now redeveloping corner of Tulpehocken Street and Germantown Avenue, the building and lot have remained vacant since the Rite Aid closed in April of last year.

According to 59th Democratic Ward Leader Patrick Jones, ArchWell Health is seeking a special exception that would allow a medical facility to operate on the lot. ArchWell Health has locations around the country, with this being potentially its first in Pennsylvania. 

The 59th Ward will hold a Registered Community Organization (RCO) meeting on Feb. 10 about the proposed business, with Jones inviting West Central Germantown Neighbors to vote on the project as well. 

After the RCO process, the proposal would need to go in front of the ZBA on Feb. 19. 

Since becoming vacant, the lot has become a point of contention with the local community. The back lot of the former Rite Aid became a prime spot for illegal dumping. The mix of trash and construction waste continued to pile up with nearby neighbors complaining about it on the Changing Germantown Facebook group. 

The complaints caught the attention of newly elected State Rep. Andre Carroll, who contacted the Streets Department to clean up the lot. 

With the lot cleaned, several members of the Facebook group commented, hoping a new tenant would move into the building or that the owners would put up a fence to stop more dumping.

If approved, the business would be joining a rapidly developing corner of Germantown Avenue.

“As an organization focused on access to quality healthcare for older adults, we believe neighborhoods in the Philadelphia area will greatly benefit from our primary care services,” a spokesperson for Archwell Health told the Local. “We are excited to speak with the RCO about our application, which requires a special exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.”