Monthly Archives: February 2014

Shopping malls in the Philadelphia area are fighting back, it seems, even after a rough holiday season and a grim forecasts for retail (see our Jan. 26 post). It is understandable, after the winter we’ve had. Internet shopping is a little less appealing to those of us with cabin fever, but snow, rain, ice and wind have kept us inside. What better escape than an enclosed mall?

Many people throughout the state of Pennsylvania are well aware of the fact that municipalities on the Marcellus Shale would have to rely on zoning laws to limit natural gas development on their home turf. While this is possible in some areas of the state, some in the northern tier don’t care to take advantage of this power.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made several major building commitments to the city of Philadelphia in the past few years. One of those developments is a temple currently under construction on the corner of 17th and Vine. On Feb. 12, the city mayor and church officials made an announcement regarding additional church development in the area.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster that took down the Salvation Army building in Center City, Philadelphia united in calls for reform of the city’s demolition regulations. As you may recall, in early June 2013, a crew member began to take down the wall of a building at 22nd and Market Streets, and the wall collapsed on the adjacent Salvation Army Thrift Store, killing six people.

Considering the weather these past few weeks, it might be time for a quick trip to a truly hot spot: the Sriracha sauce factory. Huy Fong Foods Inc., maker of the famous “rooster sauce,” is offering tours of its 650,000-square-foot factory on the West Coast. Local newspapers published an open letter from the company in early February that invited anyone to make an appointment to visit the 6-month-old facility.

Real estate development can be a tricky business, especially when 150-year-old buildings are involved. And Philadelphia has a lot of those.

How should zoning laws in Philadelphia work? Should the city strictly adhere to the rules when allowing new businesses to move into certain neighborhoods? Or should the residents of those neighborhoods have a say in whether they approve a prospective neighbor, even if it goes against zoning laws?

According to officials of one Pennsylvania community, a development project promises to bring in around $210 million in investment funds for the city.  The city hopes to finance the redevelopment with financing incentives for private developers that take on various city projects.  The incentives are then to be repaid through revenues generated in the 130 acre developed area.

The tallest building in Philadelphia is currently being proposed as plans for the Comcast Innovation and Technology Center had been announced earlier this month.  The structure is to be built at a height of 1,121 feet and will be considered the eighth tallest building in the United States.

The face of retail in Philadelphia will undergo more changes in the next few months. Sears Holdings Corp. announced recently that it will close two Kmart stores, one at the Gallery and one on Orthodox Street, in late April. Liquidation is set to begin Feb. 9.