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FUMO
COMMENTS ON SALE OF SMITHKLINE BEECHAM BUILDING HARRISBURG,
January 20, 2000 --
State Senator Vincent J. Fumo (D-Philadelphia) today issued the
following statement on the pending sale of the SmithKline Beecham Building
on Spring Garden Avenue to a developer who plans to use it for
technology-related businesses. "For
several years I have believed that the SmithKline Beecham Building would
be an excellent facility in which to foster the growth of the high-tech
sector of Philadelphia's economy. That was among the main reasons that I
opposed the demolition of the plant to make way for a baseball stadium. "I
am pleased that the building will apparently be used for that purpose. "Philadelphia
must assist the development of high-tech ventures within its borders if we
are to grow, prosper and create good jobs. Using the SmithKline Beecham
Building to further that effort is in the city's best long-term
interest." The
SmithKline Beecham building is located in Fumo's state senatorial
district. Fumo
has been involved recently in several efforts to promote the growth of
high-tech industries in the city, including the creation of the technology
business incubator at the corner of Second and Spring Garden Streets. # Note to media: Attached is the first page of a news release dated November 10, 1997, in which Sen. Fumo identified the potential high-tech use of the SKB Building among the reasons for his opposition to a baseball stadium on the site. FUMO
OPPOSES BROAD & SPRING GARDEN SITE FOR STADIUMS HARRISBURG,
November 10, 1997 -- State Senator Vincent J. Fumo (D-Philadelphia)
today voiced his opposition to a sports stadium at the proposed location
on the northwest corner of Broad and Spring Garden Streets in Center City.
He promised to fight any attempt to build one there. Fumo,
whose senatorial district includes the site, was reacting to recent
published reports that identified Broad and Spring Garden among several
potential spots in the city for a new baseball stadium. "That
location is entirely inappropriate for a stadium," Fumo said.
"There are several other possible uses of that land that would be
more beneficial." Specifically,
Fumo said the SmithKline Beecham building could be turned into a facility
to foster the development of new technological ventures. It is now about
one-third occupied, but will be shut down by the end of 1998 and will be
for sale by July 1999. "That
building can be rehabbed and used as an incubator for new high-tech
companies," he said. The SmithKline Beecham Building occupies part of
the proposed site. The
State Office Building rests on another. Fumo said it made no sense to tear
down the (more) |
