The Roundhouse, Philadelphia’s old police headquarters on Race Street, has been abandoned for about four years and many have come up with ideas on what to do with it.
Recently, Peter Pan chairman and CEO Peter A. Picknelly presented a new idea, writes Thomas Fitzgerald for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Picknelly has offered to purchase the abandoned building and have it turned into a new intercity bus terminal.
“I’ll buy it, I’ll pay for it, and lease it back to the city — and I’ll get it done quick,“ he said.
This idea would present a solution to a nearly two-year issue.
Since Greyhound abruptly ended its lease on Filbert Street in June 2023, Philadelphia has had an inability to find a terminal for intercity bus passengers.
At the moment, intercity bus lines are picking up passengers near Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue. This is a less-than-ideal location due to limited shelter and portable restrooms.
While this presents an idea, it doesn’t bring the city any closer to a much-needed solution.
John Mondlak, first deputy chief of staff of the city planning department, added that it’s difficult to estimate how long it would take to establish a permanent intercity bus station.
Read more about the Roundhouse and its years-long limbo in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in May 2025.
