Demolition at 5901-09 Ridge Avenue?

**Debbie1125** · 12-17-2012, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by PhillyTex

It won't go down without a fight. I hope the demolition costs are going way up.

I've been reading up on what happened with the Dearnley Mansion and it's almost similar to what happened to the Bunting House. Both demolitions were opposed by neighborhood groups and Dearnley was difficult to demolish.

This is from a previous post by Billy Ross. Let's hope the same thing happens to Giavannone Construction.

"The guys who demolished the Dearnley mansion are friends of mine, and I expressed my displeasure with them when they did what they did, all in the name of filthy lucre. They've since gone bankrupt; one of them has lost just about everything, including his wife and kids, who've moved to a different continent. In my opinion it goes to show that if you don't do the right thing with your work, you won't prosper. People who only care about serving themselves end up doing themselves a disservice."

**the mule** · 12-17-2012, 01:30 PM

I happened to pass the house over the weekend. It's bad enough they're demolishing it, but all of those original details are just being turned to rubble. Wood front doors with beveled glass, decorative trim around the porch, and whatever other original details there were inside (mantel?). That would have taken so little effort to remove and could have found another home through an architectural salvage shop, but these jerks were so eager to raze the site they couldn't be bothered. The nice schist retaining wall surrounding the property will also probably be unceremoniously crushed into oblivion.

**mixiboi** · 12-17-2012, 01:48 PM

Which is why pictures are needed, so when future generations ask us what stupid things people have done, we have images...

**5n4k3** · 12-20-2012, 07:23 PM

I drove by this tonight and saw Haines and Kibblehouse barriers up along Ridge Ave. H&K is a huge demolition firm, which reinforces my suspicion that this project was much bigger than the bumbling Giovannone brothers. After this is cleared out, be prepared for another battle against whoever is really pulling the strings here and whatever ugly strip mall development they plan to build. From their actions up until now, it's clear they hold the neighbors in contempt. Everything that has transpired: the meetings with the RDC, claims that they were seeking tenants for 5901, etc. was all theater. We never really had a chance to stop this.

**Debbie1125** · 12-21-2012, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by 5n4k3

I drove by this tonight and saw Haines and Kibblehouse barriers up along Ridge Ave. H&K is a huge demolition firm, which reinforces my suspicion that this project was much bigger than the bumbling Giovannone brothers. After this is cleared out, be prepared for another battle against whoever is really pulling the strings here and whatever ugly strip mall development they plan to build. From their actions up until now, it's clear they hold the neighbors in contempt. Everything that has transpired: the meetings with the RDC, claims that they were seeking tenants for 5901, etc. was all theater. We never really had a chance to stop this.

I think the 30 day extension was done merely to make it look like the scumbag brothers wanted to work with the neighbors and community groups. The Bunting House was doomed from the very start.

You can bet they will try to put the worst fast food chain there or build the ugliest strip shopping center development in the city. This will be their f**k you to the neighborhood.

**feetmonkey** · 12-21-2012, 10:47 AM

What I question is how long it takes to tear down the other properties. It seems clear that the Bunting House had first priority given all of the attention given to it - they tore it down as soon as there were no legal motions pending. Since no one is paying attention to the other properties, they may sit a while longer.

I would think slightly better of the demo company if all of it went down at once. At least it wouldn't seem so vindictive.

**PhillyTex** · 12-21-2012, 11:08 AM

Place your bets. Here's mine:

By the end of 2013 it'll be a stucco and glass box featuring a combo KFC/Pizza Hut/Taco Bell, and maybe a Metro PCS and nail salon to boot. Parking for 35-40 cars occupying the front half of the lots (closest to Ridge), 30' wide curb cuts on both Ridge and Roxborough. Chain link fence along the back to catch some of the drifting plastic bags and newspapers that float out of the dumpsters.

The giant rat and union picketers should arrive around May.

**RittenhouseGirl** · 12-21-2012, 11:21 AM

Wow. I cannot believe they tore it down already. That was lightning quick. It is so extremely sad.

**taxgirl** · 12-21-2012, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by 5n4k3

I drove by this tonight and saw Haines and Kibblehouse barriers up along Ridge Ave. H&K is a huge demolition firm, which reinforces my suspicion that this project was much bigger than the bumbling Giovannone brothers. After this is cleared out, be prepared for another battle against whoever is really pulling the strings here and whatever ugly strip mall development they plan to build. From their actions up until now, it's clear they hold the neighbors in contempt. Everything that has transpired: the meetings with the RDC, claims that they were seeking tenants for 5901, etc. was all theater. We never really had a chance to stop this.

Yup. The attorney for the deal was Carl Primavera, former Chancellor of the Philly Bar and now at Klehr Harrison: Carl S. Primavera | Attorney Detail | Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP Exactly who you hire when you're bleeding money and really, really just want to get out of a bad deal...

**Debbie1125** · 12-22-2012, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by PhillyTex

Place your bets. Here's mine:

By the end of 2013 it'll be a stucco and glass box featuring a combo KFC/Pizza Hut/Taco Bell, and maybe a Metro PCS and nail salon to boot. Parking for 35-40 cars occupying the front half of the lots (closest to Ridge), 30' wide curb cuts on both Ridge and Roxborough. Chain link fence along the back to catch some of the drifting plastic bags and newspapers that float out of the dumpsters.

The giant rat and union picketers should arrive around May.

I won't place a bet because I am thinking of the same scenario.

**RollinRox** · 12-22-2012, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by feetmonkey

What I question is how long it takes to tear down the other properties. It seems clear that the Bunting House had first priority given all of the attention given to it - they tore it down as soon as there were no legal motions pending. Since no one is paying attention to the other properties, they may sit a while longer.

I would think slightly better of the demo company if all of it went down at once. At least it wouldn't seem so vindictive.

The buildings are about 1/3 to 1/2 down.

**Debbie1125** · 01-04-2013, 01:07 PM

Lost Buildings Of 2012 | Hidden City Philadelphia

"With no plans for the site, the lot will remain vacant for the foreseeable future".

I interpret "foreseeable future" to mean more than a year. I am not really surprised though. Giovannone Construction is doing this to spite the neighborhood. What a bunch of scumbags. I hate and detest them.