The University of Pennsylvania has cleared the way to build a brand new performing arts center near 33rd and Chestnut, according to reports. Zoning permits were recently issued for construction of the six-story building, which will include a 300-seat theater, rehearsal space and other facilities.

The new modern performance center will be built on the green space at the intersection of 33rd St. and Woodlands Walk. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027. More details and rendering images are available on the Naked Philly website.

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A bridge construction on South 34th Street in Southwest Philadelphia is expected to begin January 3, according to a recent announcement by PennDOT. The project aims to replace the deteriorating 34th Street bridge over a former CSX rail line and future Schuylkill River Trail.

During the construction period, 34th Street will be reduced to a single lane in each direction between Grays Ferry Avenue and the ramp from I-76 East to Grays Ferry Avenue/University Avenue. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work area because backups and delays may occur.

The bridge construction is expected to continue through October 31, 2024.

Information on PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects is available at www.projects.penndot.gov.

An artist’s rendering of the new life sciences research facility at 3201 Cuthbert St. (Credit: Synoesis).

A new state-of-the-art life sciences research and laboratory facility, which is expected to become the city’s largest facility of its kind, broke ground today on Drexel’s campus at 3201 Cuthbert Street. The groundbreaking ceremony included a virtual display powered by more than 200 drones, culminating in a 200-foot tall image of a giant shovel virtually digging into the site to represent the formal launch of construction.

The facility is a partnership between Gattuso Development Partners and Drexel University.

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An artist’s rendering of the planned six-story office building with a ground-floor McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut.

A six-story mixed-use building is planned for the northeast corner of 40th and Walnut Streets, where a neighborhood fixture, McDonald’s, is currently located, according to an announcement by Penn’s Office of Facilities and Real Estate Services. The new, 50,000-square-foot facility will include a fully-modernized McDonald’s on the first floor of the building. Continue Reading

Community members have a chance to learn more about an exciting project in Kingsessing. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., there will be the final design meeting for the Kingsessing Library, which will be rebuilt as part of the City’s Rebuild project. The project is expected to break ground soon and the library will be temporarily closed during construction, beginning this fall.

During the Open House-style meeting, which will be held outdoors on the tennis courts (entrance by the corner of 51 St. and Chester Ave.), guests can view the final design plans for the library and learn about what to expect in the next few months. Community members can stop by any time during the meeting to view final design renderings and informational boards. Brief remarks on the project will be provided at 5:30 p.m. Continue Reading

Construction of an addition to the Garden Court Plaza, located at 4701 Pine St., has begun. The work is currently taking place at the back of the building on 47th Street between Pine and Spruce, which will be the primary access to the construction site, according to the Garden Court Community Association. The sidewalk on the west side of the whole block is closed due to the construction.

As a reminder, the plan includes the construction of a six-story, 220-unit addition above the Plaza’s parking garage (see rendering below). Continue Reading