The future of Graffiti Pier is no more clear now than it was a year ago when plans were announced to improve the Port Richmond pier, writes Steve Keeley for FOX 29 Philadelphia.
Last year, it was announced that there would be a sale and transfer of the pier from Conrail to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DWRC) and the City of Philadelphia.
While the deal was initially anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024, it looks unlikely to even be finalized prior to the end of this year.
While a popular destination, Graffiti Pier is also a rather unsafe one.
Visitors have often been seen dangling their legs over its crumbling ledges, and the pier also partially collapsed into the Delaware River last summer.
Brian Gorton, chief operating officer at Conrail, spoke of its risks.
“If you’re down there, you’re trespassing…it can not be a site that is unsafe and we’re using it as an attraction,” he said.
Conrail’s sale and transfer to DRWC and the City is to help stabilize and transform it into a park and public art space.
However, things have yet to finalize and there is no clear indication as to when they will.
Read more about the challenges facing Graffiti Pier and the delayed ownership transfer at FOX 29 Philadelphia.
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