Cherry Street Pier Will Be Transformed into a Destination

If you build it, they will come: This has been proven on Penns Landing already, despite the super highway 95 not being capped. For years, and by years I mean decades, City leaders have tried to convince us that by capping the space above 95 it would spur growth at Penns Landing. Penns Landing over the years has always had great attractions like the waterfront stage, Tall Ships, the Moshulu, the Olympia, and the water, but

I think visionaries at the Delaware River Waterfront expounded on the idea of creating amazing entertainment in the past decade from Spruce Street Harbor where you can hang around in a hammock, while eating delicious Garces fare or Federal Donuts, the Blue Cross River Rink (summer and winter use), now the lodges, so popular that even Nicki Minaj hung out there a few winters ago, and the amazing Race Street pier which was transformed a few years back and is a great place to go unwind, do yoga, or watch the most amazing fireworks July 4 and on New Year’s Eve.

NOW it’s next door neighbor pier is about to undergo a transformation as the officials are planning to transform Municipal Pier 9 into a beautiful destination, bringing the historic pier back to life.

You might have been in the Cherry Street pier, officially known as Municipal Pier 9 if you attended Feastival in 2011 & 2012 as that is where is was held before moving across the street to it’s permanent place at La Peg. It’s a fairly run down pier with

a gorgeous view of the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge from the sidewalk in front and a few of the nooks and crannies in the wall if the building on the pier. Let’s see what’s in store for the pier.
According to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC)website “Development of the Pier will involve a range of carefully chosen interventions, including selectively removing a portion of the roof and repairing the stone headhouses, in order to preserve and celebrate the historic value of the structure”  Plans for the pier a market place, garden, local art gallery space, food and a DRIVE IN MOVIE, say what?

I love the shops set in a container. THIS is an exciting project. All done without the cap, but I do know the DRWC is excited about that as well, the funding is in place and work seems to be underway which will connect Old City, Society Hill and Philadelphia to the waterfront seamlessly.

The DRWC assures me that the buildings on the left side of this graphic were just speculative, I mean seriously why would anyone block the view of the Ben Franklin Bridge from the multi million dollar park they just built. Check out Philly Curb for more info on this fantastic park.

Also check out Visit Philly as they have a great recap of the wonderful attractions along the Delaware River

All photos courtesy of DRWC, except the two Festival Shots which were by me.

Transformed