Frankford Arsenal to get shopping center

When the Frankford Arsenal reopened in 1984, neighborhood groups insisted the compound’s history — dating back to the War of 1812 — be preserved.

Now with plans for a 500,000-square foot shopping center, developers insist the Arsenal’s historical structures will remain intact.

As the Fishtown Spirit reported yesterday, demolition has begun and plans are underway for The Shopping Center at the Arsenal, a $50 million project the developer Mark Hankin has been planning since the ’80s.

Though there’s no word yet on just what stores and restaurants the Arsenal will see, Councilwoman Joan Krajewski told the Spirit: “I know my constituents in Bridesburg can’t wait to get a supermarket of their own.”

The shopping center will bring in big box stores and restaurants, and will be accessible directly from I-95 (as part of PennDOT’s restructuring of the highway), Bridge Street and Tacony Street.

The project is expected to generate 250 construction jobs.