DRWC OKs Race St. Pier connector

The Delaware River Waterfront Corp. is moving ahead with a project to connect the Race Street Pier to Center City.

The executive committee approved $95,000 to design a way of tying the pier, which will be undergoing substantial renovations, into the existing street grid.

The design work is being paid for with a grant from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, though the DRWC has final control over the project.

The DRWC isn’t sure what the actual construction costs will be — that number will depend on the design it’s presented with.

The committee wants to build the connector project in concert with the pier, so that both open at the same time, but a timeline on the connector project hasn’t been finalized yet.

The committee also approved construction of a new stage for the great plaza in Penn’s Landing, which will be big enough to hold the entire Philadelphia Orchestra.

A $302,218 contract was awarded to Light Action Inc. of New Castle, Del., that will cover construction and lighting equipment costs.

Live Nation Inc. will be providing ticketed programming at the plaza this summer, and money from that will be used to support the DRWC’s free summer arts programs.

Contact the reporter at campisi.anthony@gmail.com