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Demolition Set To Get Underway In Old City To Make Room For Apartment Complex

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- In the interest of public safety, a plan to save four historic buildings was scrapped after engineers determined they were beyond structural repair. Demolition of seven structures is now set to get underway to make room for a $20-million mix-use apartment complex at 3rd and Market Streets in Old City.

Large cracks found in walls of the historic buildings trying to be saved had L&I deeming them "imminently dangerous."

Those four, along with three others already in the demo plans, will all come down.

"The previous plan that was approved by all levels of city government called for demolishing three of the seven buildings that sit on these tax parcels," said developer Leo Addimando with Alterra Property Group. "We consolidated everything into one tax parcel -- 259 Market (Street) -- and we are now in the process of going through the paper work with L&I to amend the zoning to reflect demolition of all seven buildings."

Addimando said he expects that in about one month the entire site will be down to the foundation walls.

The project, complete with nearly 60 apartment units and a chain drug store, is expected to be finished in a little more than one year.

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