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In Reading, Pennsylvania, significant progress is being made on the downtown revitalization project. This week, parts of Fourth and Fifth Streets are closed as construction crews work on removing aging HVAC systems that could threaten the structural integrity of nearby buildings. The city aims to proactively address these issues before they become problematic.
According to Jack Gombach, the managing director for the City of Reading, the focus is on preserving the existing structures rather than demolishing them. "The focus of the work is dealing with some aging HVAC, heating, air conditioner units that we feel would threaten the integrity of the building long term," Gombach stated.
The westbound lane of Penn Street remains closed around the clock while the work is underway. Drivers are being rerouted onto Fifth Street, then Washington, and back to Fourth before rejoining Penn Street. The city has emphasized the importance of following these detour routes for safety reasons.
This phase of the project is part of the larger Penn Square Redevelopment Project, a multi-million-dollar effort aimed at transforming downtown Reading with new housing, storefronts, and pedestrian-friendly spaces. City officials expect this phase to be completed by next Friday (March 14).