Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-21
VAST TERMINAL PLAN
FOR BROAD ST. STATION
NEARER REALIZATION
Pennsylvania r. r. Engi-
neers f inis h Designs
Which Would Serve as
Working Basis for I'm
mediate Action.

The dream of decade. n great modern
station in an imposing classic style Of
architecture standing back Of the present
site OF Broad street Station, which would
he erased from the scene to leave a fine
stretch Of open space from tho portals of
the new terminal to city Hail has boon
brought shade nearer realization by tho
engineering department Of the Pcnnsyl-
vania Railroad.
The department has completed designs
that would provide working basis for
immediate activities, if these were
practicable, and 1t is no wbclievCd by the
officials of the railroad that the time is
not far distant when they will be.
The clearing of tho site Of Broad street
Station already has been approved by
the Comprehensive Plans Committee as
an essential feature of the terminus Of
the Parkway. ana it is upon the Park
way that one side of the new terminal
would front. 1t Is planned to have it
face 18th street, Market street and the
Parkway This would involve the clos
ing of Filbert street, and the handing
over to the city OF the ste Of the old
station would be part payment for the
loss of that thoroughfare.
WOULD COST $25,OOOOoO.
The cost Of tho new station is estl-
mated at $4,000, 900. The company is under
heavy expense through recent big orders
for equipment, but this is said to he 10
encouragement to the railroad officials in
their determination to put through the
early steps of the plan soon.
The plans do not stop AT the new ter
mnal; they include an entire system,
revolutonizing the present transportation
facilities Of the terminal and West rhila-
delpha station.
one OF the most important changes will
he the extension OF the Pennsylvania's
elevated west of 18th street, to make a
loop for suburban electric trains. In
connection with this, 1t Is necessary to
review certain conditions which the rail
road will have to deal with in some man
ner. Last year more than 100000 per-
sons were handled ut Broad street sta
tou,
There are 296 suburban trains and 2l5
through trains using the station daily.
Two and three trains on the same track
ia a frequently observed CeisadvantaEe--
mtolerable if 1t We're to be considered
permanent.
The company, therefore, has under con
sderatlOn a two-tioOr scheme, such as 1t
has tried elsewhere with success. Stair
ways will he replaced by sloping inclnes
wherever possible, IL Is said, and add
tional exits will empty passengers from
long trains into 10th and 18th streets
Several departments Of the railroad were
crowded out Of the terminal and are
housed in the new Commercial Trpst
Building.
EFFECT on MARKET STREET,
The development of Market street west
of Broad will have a great leap forward.
for stores will be provided for under the
elevated west of 18th street, on the north
side of the thoroughfare, instead of the
long dreary stretch of wall there.
Extensive improvements at the West
station for the handling of
trahic and minor changes at
North Philadelphia, 10 facilitate the dis
patch of through trains TO the West are
understood TO have been decided on.
There are only nine properties on the
north side of Filbert street between 10th
and 2Oth streets. which are not owned nv
the railroad. The company now holds
all the real estate necessary for
the project. The holdings of the railroad
are assessed at Sl,469.OOO, The company
has been buying quietly for the last 10
years.
PROPERTY TO BE BOUGHT
The nine properties still to be bought
are assessed at S2l4.OO0 They are the |
buildings on the north side |
Of Filbert street:
l5Ol-saIoon lot l7x55 feet, owner
John McHugh.
l5l3-Three-story factory, lsxl2I, Jonn
Smiley.
1l5-l7-Owned by the city.
15ls-Two-story store, lSx127, John
Smiley
1923 4Ox1l7 George Abbott, Jr.
1927 -29-Rudolph Birdsel
1927 William Mclaughlin.
The terminal building Is 10 be an i'm .
posing structure in the Greek style.