The DRWC will use a $1 million grant from the Wolf administration to purchase a five-plus-acre parcel of land from Conrail near Cumberland and Richmond streets. The centerpiece of the property is officially known as Pier 18, but more often referred to as Graffiti Pier, a 900-foot-long concrete monster that was built when coal was king. According to DRWC President Joe Forkin, it was "a historic coal tipping pier from the time where there was a lot of coal shipped out of Philadelphia via rail."
DRWC Vice President Lizzie Woods said it's now a magnet for street artists and art lovers who can't resist the enormous outdoor canvasses.
"You get these really dramatic archways that you can walk through toward the end of the pier," described Woods. "It almost feels like a cathedral and it's just covered with graffiti and artwork."
The question moving forward is what will DRCW do with the land. Forkin said creating access is the main priority but he foresees the pier also playing a central role for the public.
"There is a recognition that something has been happening there of significance to the community for quite some time now," he said, "so you would like to think that would remain someow intact."
There's still a long way to go before they break ground. The agency is currently conducting a planning study and reaching out to community leaders and neighbors for input.