$500M complex eyed for S. Broad Street

Aside from the occasional visit by the Cirque du Soleil, a 4.5-acre tract at Broad Street and Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia, the southern gateway to the Avenue of the Arts, has been a barren lot.

Developer Samir Benakmoume envisions a $500 million project on the site, with twin towers on Broad and related buildings behind it, including condominiums, a hotel, rental properties, retail and office space, and parking.

Score one for the developer's vision as City Council's Rules Committee yesterday gave initial approval on a rezoning that would allow the mega-development to proceed, assuming final passage in September.

But members of the Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition say the proposed 31-story towers "are too large, too high for South Philly, and nobody wants them," according to Albert Hicks, a coalition member.

Louise Hanible, a nearby resident, confronted the zoning bill's sponsor, Councilman Frank DiCicco, with a blunt reaction to the project.

"If you want a 31-story building, why don't you put it on 11th Street across from your own house, DiCicco," she bellowed in a gravelly voice.

An exasperated DiCicco stood up and walked away saying, "Let's just keep an empty lot for another 20 years - that'll make everybody happy."

Ronald Patterson, a zoning and land-use lawyer representing Benakmoume, said the project was reconfigured at the behest of the City Planning Commission.

"This is an exciting and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something spectacular at this gateway into Center City," Patterson said. "It's an opportunity to paint a great picture."

He said the land, now owned by the Holt family, which has sprawling maritime interests in the city, is under agreement of sale. If the developer gains Council approval, construction could begin in late 2008 and be finished in three years, Patterson said.

Plans call for a total of 860 residential units, 543,000 square feet of retail space and 301,000 square feet of office space. Parking in the main building will be supplemented with a second parking/retail structure at 13th and Kimball.

Hicks said the community won't accept 395-foot towers. He said the towers should be limited to 80 feet, about eight stories. *