by KYW's Mark Abrams

Mayor Nutter (center of photo) was among the city and state officials at a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday for the new Philadelphia regional produce market in Southwest Philadelphia (see previous story).

Members of the Quaker City String Band set an upbeat tone for the ceremony marking the start of construction on a dusty, 48-acre lot in the 6700 block of Essington Avenue.

Developer Brian O'Neill (far left in photo):

"The new building will be the most modern refrigerated food distribution building in the world. And it will enable the public to come and buy fresh vegetables through a brand-new, beautiful concourse."

Pennsylvania state senator Vince Fumo (hatless in photo), who shepherded the project during the past seven years, says he is confident that the facility will be ready within two years:

"Brian will have this done on time, on budget. Because if he doesn't, it costs him money, and he's not big on that."

The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority says all vendors in the existing Food Distribution Center in South Philadelphia have signed leases to move into the new facility, preserving more than 1,400 jobs and creating more than 375 new ones.

(Photo by KYW's Mark Abrams)