Antique store owners on Pine Street from 7th to 11th Streets are worried that a Philadelphia Water Department proposal to replace outdated and undersized sewer lines may leave them high and dry.  According to the Center City Weekly Press, the shop owners are worried that the block-by-block closures to vehicle traffic, as well as the removal of trees and sidewalks will repel the foot traffic that these quirky, low profit margin stores depend on:

Phrases like “signing our walking papers” and “issuing a de facto death sentence,” echoed from owners along Pine St. such as Paul Harris of Show of Hands, Terry O’ Shay of Ethnics and John Arneth of Adornamenti, of the project’s impact on business.

Explained Arneth, “business depends a lot on foot traffic. Wooden planks would be installed on the sidewalks and the kinds of people who shop along Pine St. are not going to want to walk along them.”

“The only businesses that might not be seriously impacted,” added Arneth would be restaurants like Pine St. Pizza, Mixto or the Foodery, “because people will find a way to buy their beer.”

While the Water Department would only shut down the street on a two- month per two-block basis, it would still prohibit customers from easy driving or walking access.

O’Shay, of Ethnics, goes on to say that the business owners aren’t even being offered any stipends like the businesses that were affected by the El reconstruction in West Philadelphia.  Of course, we all know how well those businesses made out.  Judging from that experience, it may be difficult for all of the non-Foodery businesses along this stretch to get by even with a stipend.

This situation does reflect an interesting, larger dilemma related to the potential economic stimulus and its funding for infrastructure projects.  This project seems as “shovel ready” and “infrastructure” as they come but it’s clear that while it may mean work and cash for some construction workers and engineers, it could kill a greater number of small businesses, each with their own employees.  Just something to think about as the federal money starts rolling.

Back to the sewers… The problems caused by the city’s centuries old sewer system, which is a combined storm water-waste water system that is prone to backups during big rain storms, are not uncommon.  Many city residents end up with some of the not-so-pleasant stuff in their basements when the system is over taxed and sewage treatment plants near major waterways sometimes find it necessary to dump raw sewage when they are pushed beyond their treatment capacity.

Other cities have experienced similar problems, including Atlanta which was forced by a federal decree to modernized and upgrade its entire system, at a significant cost to that region.  After raising $4 billion to separate their storm and waste water systems, that city’s mayor, Shirley Franklin, wore the title “Sewer Mayor” as a badge of honor.

The situation on Pine Street doesn’t appear to be a done deal.  According to the story, officials from the Water Department are looking at alternatives but have ruled out the possibility of putting a holding tank in place at 11th and Lombard.  These holding tanks have run into neighborhood opposition in the past as well, the latest being a proposed tank in the Brookhaven section of East Torresdale in the lower northeast.  After considerable community opposition, Councilman Brian O’Neill led the charge against the tank and the Water Department backed off.  Such a tank proposed for 11th and Lombard, site of a playground and dog run, would likely face similar opposition.

For the time being, the shop owners on Pine Street can focus their anxiety on the recession and await the Water Department’s final decision.

More info:

Center City Weekly Press: Philadelphia Water Department puts Antique Row in jeopardy

Philadelphia Will Do: Antique Row Shops Say End Is Nigh

DesignPhiladelphia: Antique Row vs the Water Department