Opinion Eyes on the Street

Pier 9’s reuse, Philly papers for sale again, bringing health services to the homeless, Dilworth Plaza construction kicks off, Dyott and his bottles

PlanPhilly staff

January 30, 2012

(A feasibility study finds Pier 9's (foreground) pilings and structure are in good shape, but its cladding and clerestory windows need to be replaced.)

What will become of Pier 9? Bohlin Cywinksi Jackson’s feasibility study of the pier for Delaware River Waterfront Corporation envisions a flexible event space for near-term, reports PlanPhilly’s Kellie Patrick Gates. The study found that the pier’s pilings and structure are in good shape but the building needs work.

As the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com plan their move to Market East, the New York Post reports “the owners of the Philadelphia Media Network are now in the middle of an auction to sell it for roughly $100 million.” An unnamed source told the Post that several potential buyers are lining up and binding offers are expected in a few weeks. Alden Global, a 30% PMN shareholder, had been seen as a potential buyer but is looking to sell rather than expand its stake. The Inquirer’s report indicates that it is Alden’s desire to sell its share that is changing the ownership picture for the papers. But everyone (save the Post’s unnamed source) remains tight-lipped.

Hub of Hope opened in Suburban Station, bringing physical and mental health services to the homeless from 7-10pm nightly, reports the Inquirer. Last week’s street count of homeless individuals found 188 people sleeping in the transit concourses, about half of Center City’s street count. So far the team has worked with 167 people, of which dozens have moved to housing or sought further treatment.

This morning the Center City District ceremonially begins the renovation of Dilworth Plaza, joined by politicians of every stripe and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, reports the Inquirer. Let the 27-month construction watch commence.

Remember how PlanPhilly reported that archeologists working for PennDOT had unearthed Dyottville? PhillyHistory blog takes a deeper look at Thomas Dyott’s wild ambition and why his the Dyottville glassworks were (and are) a big deal.

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