Movie studio in Phila. suburbs could happen soon

Nearly a year after officials said a big-time movie studio would be constructed in a stagnating Norristown shopping center, the only sign of Hollywood on the scene is a West Coast Video rental shop.

Since its announcement in August, the project has been delayed by a land-purchasing holdup and redesigned so the soundstages will go into new buildings on the Logan Square site instead of the shopping center and its former Sears store.

Now, months past when construction was first discussed, Norristown Studios' groundbreaking could be imminent.

A $10 million subsidy for the project made it into this week's tentative state budget agreement. Backers say it is the final piece of a funding arrangement aimed at infusing an economically troubled area with movie stars, production crews and large-scale development.

"Approval on that grant, I think, will trigger the switch to get us into a feeling of 'Break ground and let's go,' " said developer Patrick Kelley, a partner in the Norristown Studios project. "We're definitely getting it done. There's no double-clutching on this thing. We're getting it done."

Government officials eager for development to improve Norristown's fortunes were similarly optimistic the state subsidy would kick-start progress. At its announcement, the studio was heralded as a generator of $60 million in local revenue and 300 to 700 direct jobs.

Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman James R. Matthews said a groundbreaking could come "within 60 days" on the property as long as the subsidy comes through.

"It's all a handshake," Matthews said, "but from what I've heard, we're well on our way."

A spokesperson for Gov. Rendell would not discuss the status of the subsidy. State Sen. Connie Williams (D., Montgomery) said the $10 million item had made it onto the budget's list of capital projects, and she was hopeful it would come through.

"I think we're really going to start seeing movement now," said Sharon Pinkenson, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office.

Kelley said that while the subsidy had been in flux, the people behind the project have been negotiating with film studio operators about logistics and management issues.

The 20-acre site where the studio is planned was purchased in January. The Sears store - originally slated to host the new soundstages - will be developed to house production companies and other movie-related concerns.

Though no construction has been done on a new face for the Sears building, Kelley said that, too, was nearly ready to begin.

"We're just coming around the final turn there with design," he said.

The handful of retail operations on the grounds of the Logan Square site have been waiting for its rebirth for nearly a year.

A Web site for the Bellmawr, N.J., developer Develcom touts big things for the Studio Centre at Norristown Studios complex via blueprints and artists' renderings, but Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson haven't been walking through the door of Sessano Cafe & Deli for sandwiches just yet.

Sessano owner Santino Ciccaglione has been listening to rumors about the project with patient optimism.

"It's the biggest thing that will happen to Norristown since the factories closed down," Ciccaglione said, gesturing toward the nearly empty parking lot outside his shop Wednesday afternoon. "I hope the studio development is happening. I have no idea when."