Convention Center spurs Philadelphia development

 

The expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center is helping to bring more businesses to the neighborhood in Center City.

Two hotels are in the development phase spurred by the convention center expansion.

Joe Zuritsky of the Parkway Corporation said one is next to the building. “We will be adding 250 rooms at 12th and Arch that’s across from the Reading Terminal Market and the Convention Center on an existing parking lot,” he said.

Paul Levy of the Center City District said the facility should also help bring some businesses to the area around the center.

“So this convention center could help improvements here in the North Broad Street area but also on East Market Street,” said Levy.

Mayor Michael Nutter said the city needs about 2,000 new hotel rooms to support the expansion. His administration is seeking out developers .

“If you are thinking about going into the hotel business, this would be the time–if not overdue,” he said. “We’d be very, very excited about having some discussions about that.”