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Firms tapped for Phila's 30th St. plan

'Bridges Philadelphia's business center with its intellectual heart' atop rails, highways

The landmark architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP will "develop a comprehensive joint master plan for the area around Philadelphia's 30th Street Station," Amtrak says. The passenger railroad says a committee representing neighborhood landlords and operators Drexel, Septa, Brandywine Realty Trust (developer of the Cira and Post Office properties), PennDOT, City of Philadelphia, NJ Transit, CSX railroad, Penn, PIDC, Schuylkill River Development Corp. will guide the plan.

The project is "a singular opportunity to reimagine one of the most significant and dramatic urban areas in America." Drexel President John Fry has backed an ambitious plan to fill 12 acres of the adjacent neighborhood with high-rise offices and residences above cultural and retail sites. 30th St. "bridges Philadelphia's business center with its intellectual heart in University City," above rail and highway connections that also link Philadelphia International Airport, Fry said in a statement. The Skidmore firm (SOM) will work "in association with Parsons Brinckerhoff, OLIN, and HR&A Advisors."