Overview
Peter Pan CEO Peter A. Picknelly has proposed purchasing and redeveloping Philadelphia’s abandoned Roundhouse building into a new intercity bus terminal, aiming to address the city’s long-standing lack of a centralized bus station since 2023.
Proposal Details
- Peter Pan CEO Peter A. Picknelly offered to buy and renovate the Roundhouse building on Race Street for use as an intercity bus terminal.
- Picknelly committed to financing the purchase, completing the renovation quickly, and leasing the terminal back to the city.
- The Roundhouse, previously a police headquarters, has been vacant for about four years.
Background and Context
- Philadelphia has lacked a permanent intercity bus terminal since Greyhound left its Filbert Street location in June 2023.
- Current bus pickups occur at Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue, areas with inadequate passenger shelter and facilities.
- The city has been unable to provide a long-term terminal solution for nearly two years.
- The timeline for establishing a permanent bus station remains uncertain, according to city planning officials.
Stakeholder Perspectives
- City planning's first deputy chief of staff, John Mondlak, noted difficulties in estimating when a permanent station could open.
- Various proposals have been considered for the Roundhouse’s redevelopment in recent years.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Will the city accept Picknelly's offer and move forward with the proposed terminal conversion?
- What is the projected timeline for approvals, renovations, and opening, if the proposal advances?
- How will community feedback and city planning processes impact the decision?