The Fruition of Philadelphia’s Ambition

Abstract

P HILADELPHIA HAD AMBITIONS IN THE 1920's, and some of the larger projects now being brought to fruition had their beginnings in that period. Unfortunately a bad case of financial indigestion developed after the crash of 1929 developed into the depression of the 1930's. To Philadelphia's everlasting credit, there was never any default on its maturing debt nor any delay in the punctual payment of principal or interest. However, the shrinkage of real estate and security values not only reduced revenues but wiped out borrowing capacity so that all major public improvement projects ground to a halt, mostly not to be resumed until the end of World War II. Sites were acquired for three sewage treatment plants, and work started on one of them, Northeast, the nearest to our source of intake for Delaware River water. That is now in full operation with its related intercepting system. Work is proceeding at full speed on Southeast and Southwest with their intercepting systems. Southeast is scheduled for completion in 1954 and will be in full operation in 1955; Southwest in 1956. At that time Philadelphia will have made its full contribution to the pure streams program being actively carried forward in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.