New Family Court Building May Come Sooner Than You Thought?

According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, The Pennsylvania Department of General Services paid $1.1 million for the air rights over a parcel at 15th and Arch streets in Center City where the new family court building will eventually be constructed.  This, clearing the way for construction of the controversial $200 million project to begin within weeks.  Construction will start with a 3 story underground parking garage followed by a 14-story building.

The air rights were bought from Northwest 15th Street Associates, the former developer of the family court.  The purchase of the air rights also completes a complex bankruptcy settlement that will allow the department to move forward with constructing the courthouse using architectural plans commissioned by the First Judicial District and paid for with $7 million from the Family Court Facility fund, according to a statement released by the general services department.