The Philadelphia Water Department is constructing an underground storage basin at Venice Island between the Manayunk Canal and the Schuylkill River, between the Lock and Cotton Street bridges in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia. The basin will temporarily store diverted sanitary flow from the interceptor sewer during intense rain storms to reduce pollution in the Schuylkill River.

This multi-year project is the culmination of several years of research and community engagement to determine the best placement for the basin and the most amenable replacement of lost facilities. This project includes:

• Demolition of existing parking and recreation facilities at Venice Island
• Construction of underground storage basin
• Replacement of lost parking and recreation facilities

Updates: October 19, 2013. This project is currently in Phase 3

In Phase 1, workers completed the demolition of the existing Recreation Center and construction of temporary parking for the Manayunk Development Corporation.

In Phase 2, workers completed the demolition of previous parking facilities; excavation of the area for the underground storage tank; and construction of the tank, pumping facility and roughly half of the new parking facility.

Phase 3 includes the construction of the Parks and Recreation facilities, i.e. the Performing Arts Center (PAC), sprayground, and additional parking. The parking will be linked with the lot constructed during Phase 2, thus unifying the site and completing the construction of the new parking facility.

• Protective netting has been installed to keep red belly turtles out of the area of bridge work necessary for the completion of this project.
• The Basin is completed and currently in a 120 day {4 month} “live” test period in which sewage is introduced during a heavy rain event. All prior tests have been with water.
• The site work on the tank is now 90% complete.
• The Lock Street parking has been opened and is in use.
• The parking area at the Performing Arts Center has been prepared for paving next week. This will connect the west end {Cotton St} to the east end {Lock St} parking areas.
• Cotton St will be closed 10/28 -11/8 to complete the new water main boring below the canal and railroad. Parking access will move to Lock St.
• The foundations for the children’s gardens are near complete and garden wall construction will begin next week.
• The Performing Art Center stage one steel and precast panels are erected. Final steel erection will begin 10/28-11/8.
• Framing for the glass wall systems and interior has begun.

For more information of this project visit the Venice Island project page.