PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread X

[el don]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Having been in Europe for awhile right now, I wholly support repaving Broad with cobblestones as not only a beautification measure, but a traffic calming one as well.

Does Philadelphia have any actual cobblestone streets, or just Belgian block?

[PurpleWhiteOut]

Originally Posted by el don

Does Philadelphia have any actual cobblestone streets, or just Belgian block?

Elfreths Alley is the only one I can think of off hand

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by PurpleWhiteOut

Elfreths Alley is the only one I can think of off hand

There is a cobble stone street behind Library Hall. I think there might be a few more sections hiding here and there.

[BroadandMarket]

I hate to always do this but look how nice it looks in NYC. Notice the slate slabs for the crosswalks which is easier to walk on. Trashcans on all four corners...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UuAitnfUNBDsogBr9

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by el don

Does Philadelphia have any actual cobblestone streets, or just Belgian block?

Most are Belgian Block, but Elfreth’s Alley is cobblestone, so is the old street behind Library Hall and the Second Bank of the US. The street in front of Carpenter’s Hall is also cobblestone and so is the old street next to Carpenter’s Hall and South of Carpenter’s Hall. Dock Street is also cobblestone next to the Merchants Exchange Building.

That may be it for actual cobblestone… I could be wrong though.

[summersm343]

No point comparing Philly to NYC… just not worth it and disingenuous to Philadelphia.

You guys want to see a dirty, trash strewn, graffiti laden, poorly maintained city with crumbling sidewalks, parks and infrastructure? Visit Naples, Italy. I’m here now, and if you look past the negatives, it’s an incredible place, but it sure has its problems.

Rome is also dirty and filled with trash and graffiti, and so is Paris.

Look, is Philadelphia perfect? No. But I definitely find if you don’t get out and explore the world, you think everywhere else is better. Philadelphia definitely doesn’t do everything right, and it’s far from perfect, but it really is an incredible city. ESPECIALLY for how underrated it is.

I’m telling you… if Philadelphia could just get crime under control (especially violent crime), watch out. That’s really the biggest thing holding Philadelphia back.

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by yuryphilly

The sidewalk in some places needs to be repaired, trash needs to be picked up and all empty lots and abandoned structures need to be redeveloped, The area has a lot of potential, but right now I prefer to walk on parallel streets if I can.

SNIP - BAD EXAMPLES

If those are the examples then S Broad St is doing very well.

if that one boarded building that will 99% be redeveloped in the next 5 years and some webbing on concrete is the only bad things in the area we are doing pretty well.

Here's some examples of poor infrastructure on Broad St

Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 6.24.20 PM by Tony Valuez, on Flickr

Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 6.24.41 PM by Tony Valuez, on Flickr

Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 6.24.55 PM by Tony Valuez, on Flickr

Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 6.25.37 PM by Tony Valuez, on Flickr

Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 6.24.49 PM by Tony Valuez, on Flickr

Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 6.25.43 PM by Tony Valuez, on Flickr

N Broad needs major investment, and work done on it to make it a better strip currently it has many gaps, and lacks a cohesive style other than neglect mixed with redeveloped parcels.

S Broad has been improving, and will continue to, but currently its ahead of N Broad.

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by summersm343

No point comparing Philly to NYC… just not worth it and disingenuous to Philadelphia.

You guys want to see a dirty, trash strewn, graffiti laden, poorly maintained city with crumbling sidewalks, parks and infrastructure? Visit Naples, Italy. I’m here now, and if you look past the negatives, it’s an incredible place, but it sure has its problems.

Rome is also dirty and filled with trash and graffiti, and so is Paris.

Look, is Philadelphia perfect? No. But I definitely find if you don’t get out and explore the world, you think everywhere else is better. Philadelphia definitely doesn’t do everything right, and it’s far from perfect, but it really is an incredible city. ESPECIALLY for how underrated it is.

I’m telling you… if Philadelphia could just get crime under control (especially violent crime), watch out. That’s really the biggest thing holding Philadelphia back.

All the way, if we can really turn the crime around, we will see the city improve dramatically.

Think about this There are major parts, huge swaths of land that are not in most peoples minds because they are viewed as dangerous, and they are dangerous.

Crime hold everyone back not just developers who want to redevelop, and flip cribs.

All races are effected by crime, property values are affected by crime, peoples lives, and jobs are affected by crime it's a major issue, and we need to get it under control for the sake of everyone.

Philly is turning around but we got a lot of work to do.

We are a world class city, and always will be.

[UrbanRevival]

I think some folks are being a LITTLE hard on Broad Street. It's definitely come far in 20 years, although clearly there's a lot more progress to be made. It's safe to say the remaining crappy parcels that hold it back will be redeveloped in future development waves (although I know that's a timeline we all wish was sooner). I personally LOVE that public health building reuse/high-rise proposal, which would be a phenomenal addition to South Broad. Fingers crossed on that one.

I know there were streetscape improvements back in the early 2000s, but certainly they could use a refresh of some kind. The biggest concern in my mind is when so many eyes will be on the city in 2026. At the very least, they NEED to replace the failed concrete medians and install plantings wherever possible.

If there's any time the city will have to put all of its financial resources and manpower (including the private sector; their skin is in the game, too) into making the city's high-profile corridors and public spaces shine like they've never shone before, it HAS to be then.

[skyhigh07]

Pretty big crackdown on ATVs/dirt bikes tonight. It’s a good sign from the new Commissioner.

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by skyhigh07

Pretty big crackdown on ATVs/dirt bikes tonight. It’s a good sign from the new Commissioner.

New Commissioner John Stanford has been really taking the lead & making visible improvements.

All we heard from Outlaw for 3 years was excuses on why she couldn’t do stuff.

Commish Stanford has been in for what 2 weeks & he’s already been more visible then Outlaw ever was, & now they start cracking down on the ATV & Bikes. Great start.

Next is to get the crime under control.

[SEFTA]

*

[SEFTA]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

I hate to always do this but look how nice it looks in NYC. Notice the slate slabs for the crosswalks which is easier to walk on. Trashcans on all four corners...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UuAitnfUNBDsogBr9

This is what Broad Street, N & S, should look like.
Is that a raised intersection?
If broad just had raised, traffic-calming cobblestoned intersections would make all the difference.

[SEFTA]

Originally Posted by TonyTone

If those are the examples then S Broad St is doing very well.

if that one boarded building that will 99% be redeveloped in the next 5 years and some webbing on concrete is the only bad things in the area we are doing pretty well.

Here's some examples of poor infrastructure on Broad St

Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 6.24.55 PM by Tony Valuez, on Flickr

Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 6.24.49 PM by Tony Valuez, on Flickr

N Broad needs major investment, and work done on it to make it a better strip currently it has many gaps, and lacks a cohesive style other than neglect mixed with redeveloped parcels.

S Broad has been improving, and will continue to, but currently its ahead of N Broad.

Are those trees planted on Broad Street and not in planters?

[mcgrath618]

You guys were close, but the reason trees can’t exist on S Broad isn’t the subway itself, it’s the concourse. The subway tracks themselves are deep enough for street trees, which is how they’re able to exist on North Broad (as seen in the photos above).

That concourse is vile. I’m almost convinced it needs to go completely. Walnut-Locust at platform level is such a beautiful, well-kept station.

[jaysb]

Originally Posted by UrbanRevival

I think some folks are being a LITTLE hard on Broad Street. It's definitely come far in 20 years, although clearly there's a lot more progress to be made. It's safe to say the remaining crappy parcels that hold it back will be redeveloped in future development waves (although I know that's a timeline we all wish was sooner). I personally LOVE that public health building reuse/high-rise proposal, which would be a phenomenal addition to South Broad. Fingers crossed on that one.

I know there were streetscape improvements back in the early 2000s, but certainly they could use a refresh of some kind. The biggest concern in my mind is when so many eyes will be on the city in 2026. At the very least, they NEED to replace the failed concrete medians and install plantings wherever possible.

If there's any time the city will have to put all of its financial resources and manpower (including the private sector; their skin is in the game, too) into making the city's high-profile corridors and public spaces shine like they've never shone before, it HAS to be then.

Agree, 2 weeks back I had a pre-show bite at the Divine Lorraine followed by a show at the Met...In the late 2000s it was just a pipe dream that those would ever get fixed. Broad and Girard are night and day from that era. It takes time but I think North Broad will get there, esp with all the proposals on Broad around Temple now. It's not crazy to think in the next 10 years 80-90% of North Broad up to Temple will be filled in....all thanks to those Light Poles!!

[JohnIII]

Totally agree that downtown Philadelphia should have more streets with Belgian Block; I've been trying to get leaders to do this since Ed Rendell was mayor; at that time the excuse was cost.

Its best to pave the streets with Belgian Block not only for aesthetics but traffic calming effects as well as being easier on the automobiles and passengers because if Cobblestones are used they will damage vehicles especially when a larger stone comes loose. Also with Cobblestones if a smaller one comes lose and flies in the air it can strike individuals or vehicles however Belgian Block are sealed it can work.

[jaysb]

Originally Posted by JohnIII

Totally agree that downtown Philadelphia should have more streets with Belgian Block; I've been trying to get leaders to do this since Ed Rendell was mayor; at that time the excuse was cost.

Its best to pave the streets with Belgian Block not only for aesthetics but traffic calming effects as well as being easier on the automobiles and passengers because if Cobblestones are used they will damage vehicles especially when a larger stone comes loose. Also with Cobblestones if a smaller one comes lose and flies in the air it can strike individuals or vehicles however Belgian Block are sealed it can work.

I happen to live on a street with Belgian Blocks, it does wonders for traffic calming. On occasion we will have a very fast car come down but you can hear it from all the way up the street, good alert for all of the kids playing. It seems like most streets have Belgian Blocks under the pavement already.

With regards to maintenance. PGW had to fix a line this spring, it was a pretty quick fix and they had the street back to normal after 2-3 days.

[Skintreesnail]

I definitely wish more streets were Belgian block. They look nicer, especially in historic areas, provide traffic calming, help stormwater management, i thought i remember reading somewhere it's easier for utility work since they're modular and can be removed without jackhammering the street. I also assume they last longer than asphalt. Also prefer the brick or bluestone sidewalks over concrete.

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

You guys were close, but the reason trees can’t exist on S Broad isn’t the subway itself, it’s the concourse. The subway tracks themselves are deep enough for street trees, which is how they’re able to exist on North Broad (as seen in the photos above).

That concourse is vile. I’m almost convinced it needs to go completely. Walnut-Locust at platform level is such a beautiful, well-kept station.

Yeah the concourse is depressing. I used to hope it'd move closer to what the Toronto path is, but the pandemic probably sank any chance for that. I think i heard that it used to be more connected to the businesses that line broad Street, but they got filled in at some point.

Is the concourse really a blocker for trees though? Park ave has tracks running down it that i always assumed were shallow and there are trees down the center. Maybe they're deeper or something. If it is then yeah i think most people would rather have trees lining broad than the concourse.

[BroadandMarket]

Doesn't even need to be trees with long roots, bushes and flowers with wrought iron fencing is all we need.

Chicago


But I think at this point we'd be better off if the CCD just made custom huge planters that went the width of the Broad Street median and put them periodically. Like these ones at base of Ben Franklin Bridge. Otherwise we're talking about 10 more years of nothing.