Headlines: Councilwoman Presents Reuse Plans for 4601 Market

Three city departments could move in if proposals are approved.

Photo credit: Laura Kicey

Photo credit: Laura Kicey

Rumors about rehabbing the long-vacant Provident Mutual Life Insurance Co. building at 46th and Market go as far back as March 2012, but now official requests have been made.

The push came last Thursday when City Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell of the 3rd district submitted two bill proposals. Both presented the idea of the city borrowing close to $250 million for the restoration and reuse of 4601 Market, and moving in three possible tenants: The Philadelphia Police Department, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and some Health Department offices.

Approval of these two bills, as well as a third to grant the city re-ownership of the structure, would be a significant step in the building’s overhaul. If these proposals were to come through, completion of the project would not happen for another two to three years.

Laura Kicey’s gallery of the building can be seen here.

Council bills open way to move police headquarters to West Philadelphia [Philly.com]
PMLIB Building: What a Wonderful Morgue It Will Be [Curbed Philly]
Provident Mutual Life Insurance Building to be reused as Police Command Center [PlanPhilly]

In other news…

Gallery Kmart begins its long goodbye [Inquirer]

Boutique hotel coming to South Philly [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Councilwoman wants to limit building height on two-story blocks  [PlanPhilly]

2 blocks of Baltimore Ave.: Plenty of ideas, but no plans [Daily News]

A building boom in University City [PhillyDeals]

Community meetings about sale of vacant public schools [updated] [PlanPhilly]

Brandywine seeks to sell South Jersey buildings [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Here Now, 10 Buildings Actually Finished in Time for Sochi [Curbed]