Morning Headlines: Bart Blatstein to Buy 16-Acre Foxwoods Site in South Philly


Site of the former Foxwoods Casino plan via Google Street View.

Site of the former Foxwoods Casino plan via Google Street View.

Things seem to have come full-circle for the old Foxwoods property in South Philadelphia. Bart Blatstein, one of the current five contenders for the city’s second gaming license, is said to be purchasing the failed casino site for $13 million. Blatstein had once planned a shopping center for the 16-acre plot back in 1993 when he owned it.

According to the Inquirer’s Jennifer Lin, people like deputy mayor for economic development Alan Greenberger are excited for what this might mean for the area:

As part of the deal, Blatstein will convey to the Natural Lands Trust, a local land conservation organization, a 100-foot-wide strip of land along the river’s edge from Tasker Street to Reed. That will allow the city to continue a waterfront trail across the former Foxwoods site on South Columbus Boulevard, between Tasker and Reed Streets.

Greenberger, who is not aware of Blatstein’s plans, believes the space between Reed and Tasker streets along South Columbus Boulevard might be a “mix of residential and retail.”

• Blatstein reportedly buying former S. Phila. casino site [Inquirer]

In other news…

Uncommon Architecture on Front Street [Naked Philly]

86 properties in Kensington, Port Richmond to go on the block [Inquirer]

Keystone Opportunity Zones not designed to be measured [PlanPhilly]

NLNA repeats itself on Lawrence Street project [Philadelphia Real Estate Blog]

South Jersey builder taking applications for affordable rental homes [Press of Atlantic City]