Plan Philly: Engaging in Urban Dialogue

Inquirer: Temple's real gem: Baptist Temple to reopen as cultural arts center

THERE ARE striking surprises inside the renovated Baptist Temple, on Broad Street at Temple University's North Philadelphia campus.

The 119-year-old former church, designed by architect Thomas P. Lonsdale as an example of the Victorian Romanesque-revival style, was originally known as simply "The Temple" when it opened in 1891.

In fact, the university took its name from the church, which had been built to accommodate the large crowds who literally had to wait in shifts to hear the speeches and lectures of Temple's founder, the Rev. Russell H. Conwell.

Conwell taught night classes at The Temple between 1891 and 1894, said James W. Hilty, a Temple professor of history and community and regional planning.

But the congregation pulled up stakes in the early 1970s and built a larger facility in Montgomery County, leaving the the Baptist Temple, as it later became known, to sit empty, deteriorating for more than 30 years.

Now, after a two-year, $29 million renovation, the university is ready to reopen the Baptist Temple on April 14 as a cultural center to anchor the northern section of the city's Avenue of the Arts.

"It's going to be much more than a performing arts center," said Charles Henry Bethea, executive director of the Baptist Temple.

It is planned as a multipurpose cultural and performing-arts center. (The first concert, by Patti LuPone, is scheduled for April 17.)

The new Baptist Temple will be a gathering place for film screenings, lectures, symposia, commencement ceremonies and a space for private events, from corporate meetings to weddings and other events.

The university is restoring the Baptist Temple's role as a cultural landmark that Conwell predicted 119 years ago, said Hilty.

Originally, the Temple could seat as many as 4,600 people, Hilty said. His new book, Temple University: 125 Years of Service to Philadelphia, the Nation and the World, is expected soon in bookstores.

But critics warned Conwell that the building would never succeed "as a religious and educational institution," Hilty wrote.

To that, Conwell replied: "If we don't make it a success as a Temple, we'll turn it into a theater."

Read the full story...

Inquirer: Market-Frankford El in need of repairs

The Frankford elevated line, which was completely rebuilt in the 1980s and 1990s to last for 75 years, needs significant repairs because of a basic flaw in its reconstruction design.

To prevent pieces of concrete from falling onto cars or pedestrians, SEPTA crews have installed 8,000 metal mesh belts on the underbelly of the El and plan to install 2,000 more, beginning Monday.

That's a temporary fix, designed to keep the 5.2-mile-long El safe until SEPTA consultants come up with a permanent repair in the next year.

The problem? The El was rebuilt in a way that does not allow its deck to adequately expand and contract with temperature changes, SEPTA chief engineer Jeffrey Knueppel said.

Repairs could cost $20 million or more, Knueppel said.

From the Next Great City newsletter:

Things are changing in North Philadelphia.  Spurred by the city's commitment to transit oriented development, low-priced development opportunities, new and improved facilities for Temple University, and the dedication of local individuals and organizations, once blighted areas are showing signs of renewal.  Today's Daily News details some of the new projects that are bringing new life to North Philadelphia. 
The Inquirer shows how revitalization spreads, with a look at the Veggie Kids program, an urban agriculture program run by Urban Tree Connection.  This program, which started in North Philadelphia and has expanded to West Philadelphia, teaches kids and teens about gardening and provides fresh vegetables to underserved communities.

ALSO:

Inquirer: Temple's president plans for the decade

Daily News: Three stories of development in North Philadelphia