Philly’s Navy Yard businesses run the gamut

Ground has been broken for some new industrial space at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia.  The new tenants at the former military facility cover a lot of ground.

 

From shipbuilding to a trendy clothing company to Tastykake, the former Navy Yard is home to a number of different companies.  Bill Hankowski is head of Liberty Property Trust, the company that is putting up over 100,000 square feet of office and warehouse space at the Penrose Avenue end of the facility.  He says the Navy Yard offers suburban office park amenities within Philadelphia.

 

“If you go back 15 years ago when the Navy said they were leaving, unless you had worn a uniform you never touched this property,” said Hankowski.  “For this to become it’s own market, destination and address that people understand is a pretty remarkable achievement.”

 

Some federal funding was necessary to break ground, Mayor Michael Nutter says this is money well spent.  “We’re working with the private sector shaping our federal recovery dollars to increase training and work opportunities all across our great city,” said Nutter.

 

Hankowski says he hopes to break ground on additional projects this year at the 1,200 acre Navy Yard.