Wither Jenkintown/Wyncote Station?

SEPTA could abandon the station. What would you do with it?

Almost a year ago, SEPTA unveiled its plans for the new accessible platforms for Jenkintown/Wyncote Station. The project’s other elements include a pedestrian bridge and a new ticket office. Click here to see what SEPTA has planned.

Area just south of Curry Bridge where SEPTA plans to build the new platforms.
Area south of Curry Bridge where SEPTA plans to build the new platforms.

When complete and with the ticket office in the new facility, SEPTA could effectively abandon the station that has served the community for more than 83 years. And as they say, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. So what should become of this historic landmark?

The station originally served not only commuters going south into the Center City, but also north to Bethlehem, New York City, and beyond. The last passenger train to the Jersey Central Terminal in Jersey City discontinued operations in 1981.

The station opened in 1932 and was designed by Horace Trumbauer, who also designed the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Grey Towers Castle at Arcadia, and Lynnewood Hall.
The station opened in 1932 and was designed by Horace Trumbauer, who also designed the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Grey Towers Castle at Arcadia, and Lynnewood Hall.

Going back more than twenty years, several restaurants have successively occupied the space, including Greenwood Grill, Stazi Milano, Jonathan’s, and in 2008 Mio Pomodoro opened for business, closing barely two years later. The kitchen has remained cold since that time, and the space, as you can see at top, has gathered plenty of dust and cobwebs.

The station was added to the National Historic Register in 2014. In 2016, SEPTA completed an exterior restoration of the building which installed a new roof and repaired the masonry.

What would you like to see in the station? Would you like to see another restaurant or how about something like a mini-Reading Terminal Market? Maybe something else?

Leave your suggestions in the comments.