Engine 46 Talks Held, Demolition Now a Reality

Engine 46 - photo: Tug Haines

The meeting regarding the future of Engine 46 took place today at the office of City Councilman Mark Squilla. Those present included Councilman Squilla, Dr. James Moylan - President of the Pennsport Civic Association, and three representatives of  Cedar-Riverview LP, the owners of the Riverview Complex where Engine 46 has sat dormant since 2006.

While there is no official word at this time, demolition on the properties can occur at any time now that the meeting has taken place.

The meeting exposed the cold hard fact that Engine 46 has been a tough sell for quite some time. Cedar-Riverview has been "actively" trying to find a tenant since the steakhouse closed, even hiring a brokerage firm to find a business interested in taking over the firehouse built 119 years ago. "It isn't for a lack of trying." said Dr. Moylan "Even with all of this added attention recently, they haven't gotten one legitimate offer."

At this point Cedar-Riverview feel that the best option for the complex is to demolish the two properties (Engine 46 and the adjacent vacant building) and clear the land. The hope is that this would allow for a more usable footprint and could offer future business opportunities that benefit the entire complex. There is no interest from Cedar-Riverview to pursue historic designation for Engine 46 as it would limit the possibilities of the property.

One last shred of hope:

Cedar-Riverview has stated that legitimate business proposals for the reuse of Engine 46 will be considered until the demolition occurs. All inquiries should be sent directly to Dr. James Moylan - pennsport@aol.com.

Dr. Moylan added, "If nothing else, we have an open dialogue with the company. We want them to be a part of this neighborhood, not simply be in this neighborhood. We are going to continue to monitor the situation and be involved."

Below is a slideshow of some photographs taken today by local photographer Tug Haines:

In Progress: 2nd and Wharton Street Project

Ground has broken at 1301 S. 2nd Street (via Philadelphia Real Estate Blog)

The site of the warehouse fire that nearly claimed large quantities of Mummer regalia is starting to take shape. As you may know, it's been an odd journey from old warehouse to future site of eleven four story town homes. After the fire, a wall collapsed during further demolition. As the site was cleared and the hole for the foundation was dug, the security fence surrounding the area fell in to the site, leaving Second Street with a large unprotected cavern until everything was worked out.

The foundation has recently been poured and each unit is being marked out. Check the photos below:

SE Corner of 2nd and Wharton Sts.

Closeup of the foundation

View from 2nd Street

While the homes near Washington Avenue are heading in to their final stages - this development marks the beginning of the first of three larger projects in and around the Second Street area. The site at Second and Reed Street as well as the former home of Saint John the Evangelist at Moyamensing Avenue and Reed Street have both seen movement in the recent weeks. It's only a matter of time before those project get underway in earnest.

As always, we'll keep you posted on any new developments on these sites. If you have any tips or pictures you would like to share - hit up the comments, email, Twitter, or Facebook and get involved!

Are You In? 2Stock Music Festival is Coming July 24

2Stock is Coming - Are You In?

You've probably noticed these signs around the neighborhood. They're on just about every lamp post and are now featured on the large digital billboard on Water Street.

EOM and the IBEW Local 98 are getting together to bring you the 2Stock Music Festival - an evening of live music, food, and fun on Wednesday, July 24 from 4pm to 10pm down at the baseball field on Front and Moore Street.

Tom Betteridge, EOM 2Stock Music Festival Coordinator, explained  "EOM 2Stock is more than an event about helping charities. It's an opportunity to bring the neighborhood back together again and celebrate live music."

There will be two outdoor stages featuring a mix of neighborhood legends, national acts, and local recording artists looking to bring live music back to Pennsport. Tickets are $20 and that gets you admission a coupon for food and drink. Kids  11 to 19 are $10 while those under 10 years of age (with an adult) are free. The first 300 kids (with paying adult) will receive a 2Stock panda bear - so bring the whole family.

The indoor stage will feature Broadway renditions performed by local and national high school kids. The Independent School of Rock and Musically Speaking of Our Lady of hope will be rocking out inside as well.

It's no secret that Pennsport has taken its lumps recently with the uncertainty surrounding AVI and the closure of Abigale Vare Elementary School.  "Two Street needs a shot in the arm," added Betteridge, "we're hoping 2Stock can be just that." 

Following the performance of special guest New Sound Brass Band, there will be a Two Street parade (complete with music and umbrellas) to the after party at Doc's Union Pub and 2nd and Mifflin Street. Before you ask, there is no word on whether Johnny Doc will be rockin' the stage, yet. 

Tickets can be purchased at The Music Spot on Front and Snyder Sts. during regular business hours. Be sure to check their Facebook and Twitter pages for any additional info. 

Buy a Round for the Kitchen - Pat Szoke Leaving The Industry

Whoa: @PatSzoke is leaving Industry to become chef @allaspinaphilly http://t.co/LhWMalQols
— Michael Klein (@phillyinsider) July 19, 2013

Big news out of the restaurant scene in Pennsport. Philly.com is reporting that Pat Szoke, head of the awesomeness at The Industry, is leaving Pennsport for (just off) North Broad Street to lead the team at Alla Spina.

You might want to buy a round for the kitchen the next time your in the restaurant. The tweet from Michael Klein says it all in one word "Woah."

For now, we'll have a beer and a shot of Buffalo Trace in thanks for expanding our culinary pallets to include the parts of the pig that most people won't eat and bringing such amazing food (and credibility) to the Pennsport restaurant scene. One can only hope that the next chef at The Industry offers the creativity and quality as Chef Szoke.

How Twitter reacted to the news:

@patszoke @allaspinaphilly @theindustrybar say it ain't so. :(
— Stu (@djsideswipe) July 19, 2013

@Brian_J_Myers @Pennsporter @theindustrybar Noooooooooooo
— Steve Silvasy (@stevesilvasy) July 19, 2013

And appropriately:

Congrats and Good Luck @ChefMikeDeganis @patszoke !! http://t.co/gmpe3Izbab
— Michael Strauss (@strauss_mouse) July 19, 2013

Peace Out, Pat (via Zagat)

Milk + Sugar Officially Launches, Brings the Flavor

Milk + Sugar, Left to Right, Marcel, Brittany, and Brandon

Milk + Sugar certainly know how to get the word out. Do you remember that Goodie Box that was dropped off a few days ago? That was just the beginning. Saturday night was the official launch party for their newly minted (and wrapped) cupcake truck.

Not only did yours truly, with family in tow, make it out but NBC Philadelphia made it out to 5th and Dickinson to profile the event as well. The buzz is growing about the cupcake truck from Dickinson Square West and rightfully so - the cupcakes are delicious and the truck is beautiful.

If you were anxious to try some of the ones we profiled from the Goodie Box episode (and you should be), you'll be wishing you made it Saturday night. Milk + Sugar debuted a few soon-to-be classics - the Somoa (yes, THAT Somoa of Girl Scout Cookie fame) and the Sweet Potato with vanilla frosting. Both are incredible and while Milk + Sugar offered mini cupcakes to give you a taste, it was extremely difficult to only have one of each flavor - too darn good.

Newly Wrapped Truck, Find It All Over Town

If you want to get your hands on one of these amazing cakes, be sure to follow Milk + Sugar on Facebook and also hit them up on Twitter. If you want a close up of their cakes, check out their Instagram page as well.

Communication Breakthrough: Engine 46 Safe for Now

A concerned reader sent me this Tweet a few days ago:

@Pennsporter looks like engine 46 is not long for this world... pic.twitter.com/T8oEddIXr2
— Brandon Gussoni (@bgussoni) July 10, 2013

That may not be the case - at least for the time being.

As David Gambacorta has reported in his Daily News piece, Councilman Mark Squilla and Dr. James Moylan have broken through and received word from Cedar-Riverview LP - the owners of Engine 46 and the adjoining Riverview Complex.

While Engine 46 may still face the wrecking ball, it appears that there is still yet another chapter to be written in this story. Here is the meat and potatoes of the article:

City Councilman Mark Squilla said he finally received a phone call from Bruce Schanzer, the president of Cedar Realty Trust, Cedar-Riverview's parent company. Schanzer agreed to temporarily postpone the demolition and said he would meet with the councilman and Pennsport Civic Association president Jim Moylan, Squilla said.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130714_Engine_46_in_Pennsport_gets_temporary_reprieve.html#kA87Z5gGkEyeumyK.99

"City Councilman Mark Squilla said he finally received a phone call from Bruce Schanzer, the president of Cedar Realty Trust, Cedar-Riverview's parent company.

Schanzer agreed to temporarily postpone the demolition and said he would meet with the councilman and Pennsport Civic Association president Jim Moylan, Squilla said. "

While is great news in the short-run, the long-run could still see the firehouse razed. Councilman Squilla later added:

" 'To me this is progress. Until you (Gambacorta) wrote that article, we had nothing from them. Are we going to change their plans? I don't know. But at least we can get a dialogue going.' "

Again, stay close to this story as there have been many twists and turns in such a short amount of time. Chances are good there will be a few more. The good thing is that a line of communication has been opened and a conversation will take place shortly.

(h/t - Councilman Mark Squilla, Dr. James Moylan, David Gambacorta, Brandon Gussoni, and Passyunk Post for your many contributions to this on-going story.)

City Councilman Mark Squilla said he finally received a phone call from Bruce Schanzer, the president of Cedar Realty Trust, Cedar-Riverview's parent company. Schanzer agreed to temporarily postpone the demolition and said he would meet with the councilman and Pennsport Civic Association president Jim Moylan, Squilla said.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130714_Engine_46_in_Pennsport_gets_temporary_reprieve.html#kA87Z5gGkEyeumyK.99

City Councilman Mark Squilla said he finally received a phone call from Bruce Schanzer, the president of Cedar Realty Trust, Cedar-Riverview's parent company. Schanzer agreed to temporarily postpone the demolition and said he would meet with the councilman and Pennsport Civic Association president Jim Moylan, Squilla said.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130714_Engine_46_in_Pennsport_gets_temporary_reprieve.html#kA87Z5gGkEyeumyK.99

Engine 46 - Say It Ain't So

Engine 46 has been in the news recently and if you've been following along - it isn't looking good for the incredible Victorian-style firehouse located on the corner of Water Street and Reed Street.

Demolition Permit for Engine 46 - photo: Dr. James Moylan

As you can see from the photo above, this building is scheduled for demolition on or after 7/30/13. Time is literally running out for a chance to save the old firehouse from the wrecking ball.

Of course, the demolition of old, historic buildings is nothing new in Pennsport (or Philadelphia for that matter) - look no further than Saint John's the Evangelist on the corner of Moyamensing and Reed Street, a stones throw from Engine 46. "Old and in the Way" is how Hidden City described Saint John's back in March. And while demolition is nearly complete on the old church established in 1867 - there is still some get the word out about Engine 46.

Dr. James Moylan, President of the Pennsport Civic Association has been doing just that recently. Multiple attempts to contact the owners of the building have gone unanswered from both Dr. Moylan and the media alike. As Dr. Moylan puts it, "You've got to try and do something, anything."

Councilman Mark Squilla is currently on the case to get some answers. Hopefully, he can find the answers needed to preserve a piece of our neighborhood's rich history and a building with such delightful character  in an area of the neighborhood practically devoid of any.

In the meantime, I urge you to stay close to this story as it unfolds, get involved any way you can, and keep your fingers crossed that Engine 46 does not suffer the same fate as Saint John's the Evangelist.


Here are some pictures of Engine 46 in it's heyday followed by links for further reading:

The iconic chimney rises over a coal yard in 1913 - via Philly History

Long before the Riverview took over, circa 1963 - via Philly History

Links for further reading:
Stalled Engine - South Philly Review looks at the uncertainty surrounding the restaurant when it closed unexpectedly in 2006- unsurprisingly, no comments from ownership on why or future plans.

South Philly Neighbors Hope To Rescue 1894 Firehouse - PlanPhilly looks at the recent developments pertaining to the demolition of Engine 46.

**Highly Recommended**
Historical Firehouse Could Be On The Line - Inga Saffron offers an interesting look in to the architecture of the building, it's fascinating past, and the failed attempt at Historical Designation

19th Century Firehouse Could Soon Disappear - Naked Philly looks at the contrast between the 19th Century Firehouse and the "gaugy" Riverview complex.

South Philly Firehouse Headed for Demolition? - David Gambacorta of Philly.com gets a few endearing quotes from a neighbor with fond memories of the firehouse.

Iconic (But Not ‘Historic’) South Philadelphia Landmark Faces Demolition - CBS Philly grabs some interesting quotes from Dr. James Moylan, President of the Pennsport Civic Association.