Morning Headlines: Renovation Project at 4601 Market Breaks Ground

The site will be the new headquarters of the Philadelphia Police Department and two other city departments.

Photo credit: Laura Kicey

Photo credit: Laura Kicey

The Provident Mutual Life Insurance Co. building at 46th and Market has seen a small number of tenants come and go, but for the most part it’s remained relatively vacant. Now, since making official requests earlier this year, the property is under city ownership and plans for its renovation have started.

West Philly Local reports the 87-year-old structure, which will be rehabbed so that it can house new occupants, had its groundbreaking ceremony yesterday. During this, Mayor Nutter announced the building would be referred to as “the Philadelphia Public Safety Services campus.” The site will house the new headquarters of the Philadelphia Police Department, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Department of Health public laboratories.

The building, which is set to open in 2018, will require an estimated $250 million for its redevelopment. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell introduced two bills that secured this borrowed sum for the city months ago.

Work on new police headquarters begins at 46th and Market [West Philly Local]

In other news…

Using GIS to Make Philly a More Playable City [Next City]

Planning Commission approves down-zoning in North Philadelphia [PlanPhilly]

Delco restoration projects get state funding [Philly.com]

900 Sandy Street amended development plans approved [Times Herald]

State awards Newtown Borough grant for improving last remaining piece of William Penn’s Common [Bucks Local]