PHILADELPHIA | 30th Street Station District | 1,200 FT - 180 FT | 85 - 12 FLOORS

[mcgrath618]

The teeniest, tiniest update:

The entire south concourse of 30th (where the combination Pizza Hut/Taco Bell was) is closed off to the public, and all entrances on that side are closed. I assume this means that renovations will begin somewhat shortly.

This is also where the underground concourse from 30th El/Trolley runs into the station. Just figured it was worth mentioning.

Sorry to bump this post with what is almost non-info, it’s just that we’ve been told for years that the Phase I of this project is 30th being renovated, and this is a little progress towards that.

To revive a dead discussion further, I think that a great spot to put a bus terminal could be immediately to the east of Cira Green, atop the tracks. There’s surely enough room, and putting the bus station there should ensure that Cira Green’s views won’t get blocked (at least, not for awhile).

[arkitect13]

I saw that too. Maybe they can get the smaller sections of this done while SY is worked on so that way they can get right to work on the overbuilds and towers once its ready. Weather its before or after SY is finished. I personally hope they start construction on at least the overbuild before SY is complete to save some form of time. But i kinda doubt that

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

The teeniest, tiniest update:

The entire south concourse of 30th (where the combination Pizza Hut/Taco Bell was) is closed off to the public, and all entrances on that side are closed. I assume this means that renovations will begin somewhat shortly.

This is also where the underground concourse from 30th El/Trolley runs into the station. Just figured it was worth mentioning.

Sorry to bump this post with what is almost non-info, it’s just that we’ve been told for years that the Phase I of this project is 30th being renovated, and this is a little progress towards that.

To revive a dead discussion further, I think that a great spot to put a bus terminal could be immediately to the east of Cira Green, atop the tracks. There’s surely enough room, and putting the bus station there should ensure that Cira Green’s views won’t get blocked (at least, not for awhile).

Any info on how long this will take? I pass thru 30th often via Amtrak and it's pretty bleak when you walk over to the retail area. And nowhere to get get food or coffee anymore, Pret remains closed too.

Still a stunning building, just an observation.

For the bus terminal, are talking about the open sliver above the tracks? As in capping that portion? If that is what you mean, I agree, that area is actually quite large and would act well as a bus terminal or even a little park. But that would be a huge undertaking to cap that.

Where is Mega / Bolt bus picking up nowadays?

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Any info on how long this will take? I pass thru 30th often via Amtrak and it's pretty bleak when you walk over to the retail area. And nowhere to get get food or coffee anymore, Pret remains closed too.

Still a stunning building, just an observation.

For the bus terminal, are talking about the open sliver above the tracks? As in capping that portion? If that is what you mean, I agree, that area is actually quite large and would act well as a bus terminal or even a little park. But that would be a huge undertaking to cap that.

Where is Mega / Bolt bus picking up nowadays?

You are correct, I was suggesting a cap.

Megabus/Bolt are both still picking up in their old location, though I imagine when 3025 JFK is more than just a hole in the ground that we might see them have to move.

[volguus zildrohar]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

The teeniest, tiniest update:

The entire south concourse of 30th (where the combination Pizza Hut/Taco Bell was) is closed off to the public, and all entrances on that side are closed. I assume this means that renovations will begin somewhat shortly.

This is also where the underground concourse from 30th El/Trolley runs into the station. Just figured it was worth mentioning.

Sorry to bump this post with what is almost non-info, it’s just that we’ve been told for years that the Phase I of this project is 30th being renovated, and this is a little progress towards that.

To revive a dead discussion further, I think that a great spot to put a bus terminal could be immediately to the east of Cira Green, atop the tracks. There’s surely enough room, and putting the bus station there should ensure that Cira Green’s views won’t get blocked (at least, not for awhile).

That's been closed off since COVID began. It was done to limit gathering and keep out the homeless who congregate there.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by volguus zildrohar

That's been closed off since COVID began. It was done to limit gathering and keep out the homeless who congregate there.

Really? I was in 30th almost every day in the summer of 2020 and I don’t recall that area being closed…

Bummer if that’s the case. I was really hoping that we’d finally see some movement with this development.

[City Wide]

Originally Posted by arkitect13

I saw that too. Maybe they can get the smaller sections of this done while SY is worked on so that way they can get right to work on the overbuilds and towers once its ready. Weather its before or after SY is finished. I personally hope they start construction on at least the overbuild before SY is complete to save some form of time. But i kinda doubt that

Don't hold your breath! I'd be thrilled if the powers that be could pull off a decent, attractive, well functioning connection between the station and SEPTA by 2025.

[PHLtoNYC]

So if that area is closed off due to homeless, when will it re-open?

The only places open are Wendy's, Dunkin, Pretzel stand, and that convenience store in the SE corner. There is enough foot traffic nowadays to suffice re-opening.

Pret was a huge improvement when it opened in 2019, but still dark.

[mcgrath618]

https://www.inquirer.com/education/john-fry-drexel-university-president-coronavirus-20210712.html

Coincidentally, this project is brought up at the end of this article.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

https://www.inquirer.com/education/john-fry-drexel-university-president-coronavirus-20210712.html

Coincidentally, this project is brought up at the end of this article.

About a decade or so out sounds right. Can't realistically start development over the railyards until Schuylkill Yards is fully built out.

[PHLJD13]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Pret was a huge improvement when it opened in 2019, but still dark.

I heard an unconfirmed rumor Pret may be pulling out of the Philly market. Shame if true - it is a personal favorite for lunch on the go that is a notch better than fast food. They haven't reopened their 15th St. location either. Not sure whether their Wharton location is still operating.

[thoughtcriminal]

Originally Posted by PHLJD13

I heard an unconfirmed rumor Pret may be pulling out of the Philly market. Shame if true - it is a personal favorite for lunch on the go that is a notch better than fast food. They haven't reopened their 15th St. location either. Not sure whether their Wharton location is still operating.

that sucks. when I worked in nyc, you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting 5 pret's, including the one in the building where I worked.
I was glad to see them when they opened here, I hope the rumor is not true. If you must eat at a chain restaurant, they are a good alternative to most of what's out there.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal

that sucks. when I worked in nyc, you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting 5 pret's, including the one in the building where I worked.
I was glad to see them when they opened here, I hope the rumor is not true. If you must eat at a chain restaurant, they are a good alternative to most of what's out there.

Their grilled cheese is pretty good.

They’re probably not doing well in general right now, considering that New York is on the decline. Come to think of it, I’m not sure any of their Chicago locations are open either…

[mcgrath618]

Amtrak, developer reach agreement on restoration and update of Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/...w7wtK0gGn_OZdPEgG_LIb0hrwzX-gpUqohGYvlow

Work to begin in 2022.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Amtrak, developer reach agreement on restoration and update of Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/...w7wtK0gGn_OZdPEgG_LIb0hrwzX-gpUqohGYvlow

Work to begin in 2022.

Noice. Is there a way to connect to the MFL without going outside of the station? I know the last time I was there you had to but I forget if there is a way that's just not used.

[City Wide]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Noice. Is there a way to connect to the MFL without going outside of the station? I know the last time I was there you had to but I forget if there is a way that's just not used.

Yes, they was/is a route. It was closed off due to crime? in the 80's?. If on street level the point to point distance is 200', the underground passage felt much longer. It had turns and stairs up, then down---. In other words, I don't think many people lost much sleep over it being closed off when it happened.

When/if the powers that be get their act, and the funding, together, my hope is they realize that to be effective and to be well used, it needs to be well designed and easy to navigate. It has taken several expensive attempts, but City Hall Station keeps getting better. For this project why not just spend the money once even if that means taking the time to move pipes, sewers, whatever, right from the start. On the 30th St. end of the tunnel, have escalators, not just dimly lite stairs, and then from that level, if at all possible, go directly to the ticketing level at SEPTA.

[mcgrath618]

Part of the renovations include reopening that corridor IIRC

[Jerryiz]

I happened to be passing through on Sunday and the Station was PACKED.
You could not tell by the activity outside of the building but inside was very busy. The MegaBus from Hudson Yards actually lets you off on Schuylkill Ave and Walnut now and you have to walk the block to 30TH St Station. I hope Schuylkill Yards bears some semblance to Hudson because it is really nice.!

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Part of the renovations include reopening that corridor IIRC

Here they go right here around page 31 they start talking about it, very extensive.

\https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539b050fe4b077b40b221f4f/t/57694caaff7c5085d0a3de31/1466518722881/District+Plan+Final+Report_June2016_8.5x11_web.pdf

[SEFTA]

Originally Posted by Jerryiz

I happened to be passing through on Sunday and the Station was PACKED.
You could not tell by the activity outside of the building but inside was very busy. The MegaBus from Hudson Yards actually lets you off on Schuylkill Ave and Walnut now and you have to walk the block to 30TH St Station. I hope Schuylkill Yards bears some semblance to Hudson because it is really nice.!

Spent 1 1/2 hour standing in the driving rain waiting for a megabus. A miserable experience. I'LL TAKE THE TRAIN!
My impression of Hudson Yards, on a different day, was how I had to prop myself against the wind to keep from falling over. Apparently this is normal.