:previous: No answer is as bad as one can get.
How about offering an answer if you have one. :hell:

University City is still on the move!

Some much smaller - but not insignificant - construction sites include the extension of the Ronald McDonald House on Chestnut, Luna on Pine Apartments at 40th St., apartments (?) on Walnut just west of 42nd St., new multi-story wing to apartments on 41st and Baltimore. The remodel of the 40th Street Trolley Portal is nearly complete, as is the Perlman School of Political Science at Sansom and 36th.

This will break ground on February 5, 2019 at 9:07am. Some design changes - the first floor will be a petting zoo and the roof with have 18 lanes of Slip 'N Slide.

I heard it breaks ground in 10 minutes and will have rock climbing walls on every floor.

Now that's what I call an update, thanks for the great news. From now until 2/5/19 will you be kind enough to provide weekly reports, like have the shovels for ground breaking been purchased, and when will this be finished, ready for move in?

Love the petting zoo!
I hope they will have all breeds of snakes to pet! ;)

CDR really likes this one:
http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/pr...%20Reviews.pdf
They think it has a good footprint, they like the hardscapes, open areas, etc

Fencing is up around the existing building and interior demo has started.

Wow, that was quick

Fencing and demo is the quick and easy part. Developers tend to get that part of the job very quickly for fear of preservationists coming in to block demolition. For all we know, this project could be another year away from getting off the ground. But getting rid of whatever pesky existing building sits in the way of a larger development gives that property a nice boost in value. If by chance the developer isn't able to get this project off the ground, they at least own a turn-key development site, which can be sold for a nice profit.

I'm not saying this project won't happen or that demolition isn't a step in the right direction. I just don't necessarily think it means that construction is imminent. See SLS.

^ I assume it's the Penn Newman Center that's being demolished. Ain't nobody wants to preserve that clunker.

It is indeed.

True. But I don't think a developer would ever take that for granted. We've witnessed some really ugly and marginally historic buildings certified. Robinson's and that health clinic on South Broad immeidately come to mind. And also that building on the corner of 19th and Chestnut where the new tower is going up is historic and the reason why was pretty weak if I recall.

But the bigger point is that, having gone through the trouble of demolishing the existing structure and now holding onto a clean slate property ready for development, that land is more valuable and will turn a profit even if the developer's plan don't come to fruition. This commentary isn't specific to this property, it's a general rule that is amplified if the structure pending demolition is in anyway controversial.

I work in the neighborhood and had a chance to speak with the developers. They seemed fairly confident about this moving forward quickly. They have been working for the past few months to assist in relocating the Newman Center operations and renovating some of the existing space in the church and the building behind the church. Based on what they told me back in June - they're right on schedule. We'll see.

heavy demo equipment was being off loaded on 38th st. near Samson, so it certainly looks like the demo is going forward.

Zoning and Construction permits are posted, along with a sign for the developers and architects:
http://www.simpleimageresizer.com/_u...CC8C03_50.jpeg

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes, the site has been cleaned, and it looks like work has started on the basement/foundation. There's even a sign announcing pre construction leasing. Looks like this is definely happening.

Oops, it seems like my picture of the site has disappeared. I'll get a new one when I get home.

It looks like some excavation has been done and that drilling for the foundation piles has started.
(where on this site are suggestions about how to post photos given?)

Not sure where on this site, but if you have a FLICKR or another photo sharing account, the BBC code is a simple cut and paste to your post here to get the photo posted.