Broad and Snyder Wendy’s plans include maintaining original structure, installing takeout window
When we first told you about the plans for a Wendy’s to open in the former Beneficial Bank building at Broad and Snyder, the majority of responses from the neighborhood were negative. Of all things that could go into a historic building, why a Wendy’s?
At the South Broad Street Neighborhood Association meeting on Tuesday, there was not as much vocal objection as expected, according to SBSNA president, Peter Zutter. Wendy’s does have plans to maintain the original detailing of the structure while bringing another fast food spot to this corner.
Zutter says that the plans included the preservation of the building, including the interior wood paneling. The proposal does have some problems that will put the project on hold. Things like truck parking and a takeout window on Snyder Avenue are two of the main issues at this point. The takeout window, which would be operational until 3 a.m., would likely cause even more of a trash and loitering problem for the corner.
Concerns raised by LoMo Civic’s president, Todd Schwartz, were in regards to how a business like Wendy’s would fit into the 2035 plan for the city. It may not be the kind of business that people were hoping to open on this corner, with McDonald’s already being located on the same block, but the plans do involve the preservation and filling of a vacant space.
SBSNA has plans to put together a community benefits agreement to resolve some of the issues at hand. Plans for this Wendy’s will be presented again soon, likely within the next month.
That is unfortunate. There are already plenty of unhealthy food options on that block. That would would be a great location for the South Philly Co-Op instead.
I’ve heard the co-op suggestion a few times now. why is it such a good spot for that? I’m genuinely interested as to why, other than you think it should be that, should that be a co-op, and who would pay for it?
It’s a good location for the South Philly Food Coop because it is smack dab in the middle of the Coop’s membership area. The Coop members would pay for it. However, I suspect the Coop has considered this space and found it didn’t meet enough needs criteria to be a serious option. Because the Coop is our favorite theoretical grocery store.
There is more demand for a Wendy’s at this location. That’s why a Wendy’s is going into this location.
I’ll take hot fresh chicken nuggets ordered from a convenient takeout window over your group’s dirt-lot lead-tainted deformed tomatoes any day.
Too bad. It’s going to be a Wendy’s. If you don’t want to eat there, go home to your fridge full of kale.
“Of all things that could go into a historic building, why a Wendy’s?”
Probably because they came to a rental agreement with the space owner. If something else were going to go in there, they’d need to pay rent or purchase the real estate from it’s current owner.
You can argue about what “should” go in there all day, but no one else is paying the lease.
Maybe they should put another Bernie Sanders mural here to satisfy the cries for a co-op.
A takeout window, so people can throw their trash on the ground as soon as they get their food, as opposed to waiting until they walk outside.
Why does that block have to be so trashy!? Did the meeting discuss that issue? It looks like skid row – we are trying to make it a nice area with Passyunak Ave right around the corner and all the new medical professionals moving into the area. They NEED to do something to keep it clean.
Scumbum South Philly