Susquehanna Bank Center

 

LOCATION: CAMDEN, NJ

CLIENT: BLOCKBUSTER, SONY

MARKET SECTOR: HOSPITALITY

SIZE: 30 ACRES

THE OPPORTUNITY

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and Sony Music/PACE Partnership contributed the first major private investment in the ongoing redevelopment of the Camden waterfront with the construction of the new amphitheater and performing arts center.

 

THE CHALLENGE

The site of the Susquehanna Bank Center, originally known as the Blockbuster-Sony Music Entertainment Center, is located on the shore of the Delaware River.  Project challenges included a limited developable area for the amphitheater and the main building, uncontrolled fill material containing boulders and obstructions and deposits of soft organic soils that presented settlement and slope failure concerns.  Adjacent infrastructure included a major below grade, brick sewer that was susceptible to damage by settlement or vibrations.

 

THE PS&S SOLUTION

PS&S performed the full range of environmental remediation oversight, planning, permitting, and engineering services for this project. The overall project included the amphitheater, a 60-foot high earthen embankment to serve as the amphitheater’s lawn seating area, a waterfront public access promenade, 100,000 sf of water-oriented commercial use, a 2,000 space parking area, as well as infrastructure and roadway improvements.   In addition, the project included a 600’ waterfront promenade.

The Susquehanna Bank Center project won the following awards:

Consulting Engineers Council of New Jersey Grand Award Winner – 1997