Philly’s High-Speed Rail May Bypass 30th Street Station

August 15, 2012 | by Steve Currall | Morning Blend | 30th Street Station, Amtrak, Bella Vista, high speed rail, logan, parklets

As planners look for ways to make a stretch of a 457-mile high speed rail corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston viable within Philadelphia, they are met with concerns that Amtrak’s 30th Street Station—so long the locus of all regional rail travel—might have too circuitous of track approaches to justify its selection as a node within any such network. Others say that a $3 billion tunnel cut through the city could meet at a new station on Market East, which in turn might spur further development there.

Plan Philly’s “Look Up!” segment places the architectural spotlight on the Sparks Shot Tower on the 100 block of South Philadelphia’s Carpenter Street. Built in 1808, the tower stands as one of the last remnants of a factory that made gunshot, notably for the American military during the War of 1812.

Curbed Philly says a parklet—a transient “park” that takes up a parking spot or two—is coming to Logan. Designed by the Philadelphia Chapter of National Organization of Minority Architects, the parklet will be unveiled in September in front of the neighborhood’s library.

Naked Philly reports that developer Haviv David is planning to redevelop two blighted homes along South 11th Street in Bella Vista.

About the author

Stephen Currall recently received his BA in history from Arcadia University. Before beginning doctoral studies, he is pursuing his interest in local history, specifically just how Philadelphians engage their vibrant past. Besides skimming through 18th century letters, Steve is also interested in music and travel.