Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Subscriber Services |

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Demolition permit issued for Forum Theater

Time to say goodbye to the Forum Theater?

Demolition permit issued for Forum Theater

POSTED: Monday, January 28, 2013, 11:38 AM

The owner of the Forum Theater has obtained a permit to demolish the Market Street property, according to records from the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Theater owner Richard Basciano could not be reached for comment immediately but he has said that he wants to knock the property down as soon as possible as part of a plan to develop the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Market Street, where he owns multiple parcels.

The Forum, believed to be Center City’s last porn theater, for decades inhibited development in the area because other businesses did not want to locate near it.

After the demolition, the Forum will be a parking lot. Many obstacles stand in the way of developing the entire area, including the unwillingness of some property owners in those two blocks to sell what they own so that it can be developed.

The demolition permit was issued Jan. 24

Click here for Philly.com's politics page.

Miriam Hill @ 11:38 AM Permalink | 16 comments

Previous Story: Heard in the Hall - weekend edition

Next Story: If you had problems voting in November, the Nutter administration wants to hear your story

Comments (16)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:55 AM, 01/28/2013

hate to be cynical but from this dude's tract record the forum probably wasn't doing well and he realized that he could make more money with it being a parking lot.

— Hunter S. T

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:20 PM, 01/28/2013

The end of Trickle Down jobs?

— Cuddles

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:23 PM, 01/28/2013

Senator Bob Menendez reportedly crestfallen. What? - didn't you hear? Oh right - this is the Inquirer - nevermind.

— teardownthisfishwrap

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:08 PM, 01/28/2013

Nooooooooo what will I do Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays now!

— ConverseB24

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:10 PM, 01/28/2013

Many a retired professional and grunge-type at Trader Joe will be disappointed not to have this place to visit after buying their Vegan or stocking shelves of Organics.

— Dr.Thora Mann, PhD.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:15 PM, 01/28/2013

2 words.... Sticky Floors

— Bruddah

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:17 PM, 01/28/2013

God knows what traces of bodily fluids will be released into the atmosphere as this demolition proceeds... surgical masks recommended within a 6 block radius.

— TomTheCork

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:32 PM, 01/28/2013

Whahhhhhh hahah hahahah

— ArseoleChris

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:33 PM, 01/28/2013

whenever I would walk by the theatre i would look at the person in the ticket booth, they always had that "How did my anthropology degree land me here?" look!

— neon doctor

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:39 PM, 01/28/2013

Don't knock the forum. It gave city council a place to meet away from the public ear!

— SPENDSPEND

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:43 PM, 01/28/2013

This will put their employees out of work. That is not a good thing. I suppose we will see a lot of businessmen who go AWOL from 12-2 sitting in their offices looking depressed after the place shuts its doors for good.

— Dr.Thora Mann, PhD.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:07 PM, 01/28/2013

thank god

— main liner

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:18 PM, 01/28/2013

This may not be a good thing. Men need a place to relieve themselves. This could lead to men visiting prostitutes, cheating on their wives or even sex crimes. These places are actually a safety net. They should have official places like this that are kept clean and sanitary so those who need a release can visit anonymously and calm themselves down and continue on their merry way.

— Dr.Thora Mann, PhD.