The Divine Lorraine, that heartbreak hotel, looms large over North Broad Street and the city's plans for that critical thoroughfare.
In recent weeks, there has been
a fire, high-profile activity by the city to
seal the decaying structure, an
all-too-feasible parody that reported its imminent demolition and several front-page articles reporting various possible redevelopment proposals. All since Mayor Nutter in a February address to the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, singled out the property as "an historical monument and a keystone to our redevelopment of North Philadelphia."
Alan Greenberger, the deputy mayor for planning and economic development, told Flying Kite that he thinks the most likely use will be residential/hotel. But the city stands ready to work with the bank that owns it and any responsible developer, he says. Calling it a "13-story billboard for blight," Greenberger adds, "no matter what good comes on North Broad, it’s not going to happen till that building gets done."
Stay tuned.
Source: Alan Greenberger, City of Philadelphia
Writer: Elise Vider