GBCA Construction Today Article
Block By Block: Penn’s Landing Park, I95 CAP Project
Written by Shannon Creamer-Franke, Odd Graphic Company
Catching up with James Edwards, PM/Estimator of the Masonry Division of Torrado Construction, we got some great behind the scenes stories on PennDot’s massive $329 million I-95/CAP project. Torrado Construction in conjunction with Buckley & Company, Inc., is in progress over the stretch of I95 in Philadelphia between Walnut and Chestnut Streets with the Penn’s Landing CAP Project. They are helping to construct a new 11.5-acre public park connecting Old City and Penn’s Landing’s waterfront — ‘Capping’ over I95.
Aerial rendering-2021, courtesy of HargravesJones, showing plans for the 11.5-acre Penn’s Landing Park
From a birds-eye view the park promises to be the bridge between the now disconnected waterfront and the Philadelphia District of Old City. The 11.5-acre site will boast something for everyone, a public park with small, flexible spaces to be used by the community, to work, play, and relax. Last we checked, the plans called for multi-purpose space that will offer year-round activities; A free-form play area for kids, a marketplace, roller rink, a screening area for movie nights, and we’ve heard, the city will bring back the scenic ice rink and Winterfest in the winter months. The plans for the pavilion and breezeway are of-another-world too. A grand, yet familiar gathering place for young and old alike.
This monumental project has a timeline of five years to complete, but speaking of monuments, Torrado Construction, just this past November and December took on, and quite literally block by block, a 7-week project to carefully deconstruct the existing Irish and Scottish Memorial monuments’ base structures and reconstruct them in a temporary location near Society Hill Towers. Edwards said they used small electric chipping guns to faithfully break apart the existing rubble stone (rough, uneven building stone not laid in regular courses), in an effort to salvage and rebuild the monuments’ base structures in the new temporary location. This was all in an effort to preserve and reinvent the care and history, and allow access to the general public while the I95 CAP project is underway. See photos courtesy of Torrado Construction of the rebuild at Foglietta Park, at the corner of 38th Parallel Place and Spruce Street. This temporary Irish and Scottish Memorial Site is now open to the public to enjoy.
An interesting foot note, The rubble stone will be once again be dismantled and rebuilt/reinvented alongside the huge Irish and Scottish memorial statues when they are returned to their permanent resting place at the new Penn’s Landing Park at the completion of construction in 2028.
In the meantime, Edwards said, they are busy prepping for the permanent fit-out, slated to begin in 2027, by contacting and collaborating with suppliers on the new materials needed for the next phase. James also said that Torrado Construction, in their partnership with Buckley & Company, Inc., is so proud to be on site, building communities ‘literarily’ block by block.
Luis Torrado onsite, I95 CAP Project. Photo courtesy of Torrado Construction
Other ‘Proud Projects’ at Torrado Construction:
Beyond the excitement and enthusiasm apparent when Edwards told me about the I95 CAP Project, I asked what other ‘Proud Projects’ are cooking at Torrado Construction? He then shifted his attention and told me about some of the Philadelphia Rebuild Initiative projects that they are involved with. He mentioned the pride they feel as they are currently working on the Johnny Sample (Cobbs Creek) Recreation Center, Francis Myers Recreation Center, and the Kingsessing Recreation Center. Also, although not a Rebuild project, but a Daniel J Keating Company project, Torrado Construction is grateful to be working on the rebirth of the Tiffany Fletcher Recreation Center, formerly Mill Creek. Edwards told me that he loves taking his Mom for a drive, pointing out the work they have done in the community and the joy it brings them to see the kids and parents alike enjoying the newly renovated parks and community centers. Torrado Construction also does a lot of work for the City and currently have a few great Philadelphia Water Department projects in the works; They are working on under drain replacements at Baxter, Queen Lane, and Beaumont Water Treatment Centers and are laying new tile at the Roxborough Basins (an underground clean water tank facility fed by Queen Lane).
A ‘Proud Poppa Happening’ at Torrado Construction:
Edwards was bursting with enthusiasm when he told me about a new hire to Torrado’s Masonry Division. Her name is Evette Vega. A 22-year-old Hispanic female apprentice of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local No. 1 Philadelphia. She is one tough, gritty, and hardworking bricklayer. According to James, Vega wants to lay brick and block and learn the trade from seasoned veterans. James said “We want to keep her on the wall so she can perfect her craft.” You could tell, he was so proud of her progress. At a 55% Apprenticeship you will be sure that Edwards will be watching her hours grow and rooting her on all the way. After this interview with Edwards, it is of my opinion that Torrado Construction really lives and works their motto: Building Communities Block by Block.
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Torrado Construction, was established in 1995 by Luis E. Torrado, and is a homegrown,
minority certified, commercial construction firm. Torrado Construction specializes
in general and subcontracting work, historic renovations and rehabilitations, concrete
and masonry services, and maintenance and new construction contract services, while
Torrado Distributors, Inc (TDI) is a licensed material supplier. Torrado is an equal
opportunity employer that strives to hire locally and use area businesses and suppliers
whenever possible.
Follow Torrado @TorradoConst