Police authorities in Philadelphia are calling for the indefinite closure of a local pier being used as a graffiti wall. Pier 124 located along Delaware River is being considered by officials as a potential looming hazard; prompting closing it from public access following safety concerns over its looming fall. Whereas the actual closure timeline has not been released, it is believed that authorities are working with the local communities to find out the best way possible to resolve the matter.
The pier is currently owned by the Conrail Company which approached the police in request for its closure from public access.
Since its dilapidation in the 1990s, the pier has attracted significantly huge numbers of people, a majority of who include local youths. Additional safety concerns, according to Captin Krista Dahl-Campbell, include the security threats that the area has faced owing to the deserted nature of the region. Multiple rapes and thefts have occurred in the area, the primary suspects of whom include youths who frequent the area.
Dahl-Campbell revealed that the primary factor that has led to the increase in these security incidences is the fact that there has not been adequate lighting in the area, thereby attracting illegal activities.
The recent developments come even as the local population has been on the forefront calling for the state government to surrender the property to land reclamation companies to rehabilitate the area and make it a public park. Residents have expressed fears that the pier may experience the same fate as additional graffiti zones such as HOPE Gallery in Texas which was left to ruins amidst similar but unfruitful calls for rehabilitation.
Previous rehabilitation works have been successfully undertaken on similar sites such as the Long Island’s 5Pointz which was rehabilitated to become a renowned tourist attraction site which has also acted as movie shooting sites.
Responding to the calls, the Conrail company spokesperson said the company was in full realization of the importance of conserving the historical significance of the region and would work with the city towards establishing a long-lasting legacy. With the site dating back to over 100 years ago, the , particularly with its having served as a capital for the infamous Reading Railroad.
Architects such as Shila Griffith also came out in strong support the idea, calling for consideration to be made in favor of the wishes of the locals. She said that the community would benefit significantly if the pier would be rehabilitated and preserved.
