Imp’t Historical Site To Be Discussed

Comcast-Spectacor will unveil preliminary plans for development of the South Philadelphia sports complex — including issues regarding the demolition of the Spectrum — today at a news conference. The news conference by Comcast will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet, which you can only get in the city by subscribing to Comcast cable. The media will then write about Comcast afterward.

Early last week, the Delco Times broke the story of the Spectrum’s possible demolition, leading locals to reminisce about their favorite Spectrum moment. Some of we yokels probably even would say “Wing Bowl” when asked their favorite Spectrum event. Indeed, the Spectrum has been home to many events, none greater than Bill “El Wingador” Simmons’ first Bowl victory in 1999.

The plans involve the Baltimore-based Cordish Co, which has opened several “Live!” entertainment chains in the U.S. and wants to open its newest branch down in South Philly. I think the conference is at 2 p.m., but Peter Lukko isn’t going to say anything concrete, so whatevs.

Out: Spectrum. In: Chain Neighborhood.

Somehow I haven’t written about the possible demolition of the Spectrum so far, so let’s delve in. On Sunday, the Delco Times broke the story¹: The Spectrum might be demolished to make way for an entertainment complex. (Which is what is already there, but you get the point.)

The Daily News the next day added a few more details about the proposed complex. Cordish Co. has given several proposals to Comcast, which owns the Spectrum, at least one of which would demolish the arena and put in condos, a movie theater, a music venue, etc.

Basically, what they want to build is a chain:

The Cordish Co. describes itself on its Web site as one of the leading real-estate-development companies and most successful entertainment-operating businesses in the world. Recent projects, similar in scope to what is supposedly being proposed for Philadelphia, include “Power Plant Live!” in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Area, “Fourth Street Live” in Louisville Ky., and “Daytona Live!” outside Daytona Motor Speedway in Daytona, Fla.

Philly Live!, you will be relieved to learn, will have the exclamation point, which gives a neighborhood extra edginess.

¹ The story is gone from the link I saved, plus the Times has that awful Journal-Register website template with ridiculously long permalinks and zero readability.