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Originally Posted by BroadandMarket
...to my knowledge Chinatown never went west of 11th. That's where the Reading terminal viaduct came through to the station and made a massive physical barrier right?
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Yeah, Chinatown essentially ended at 11th; what was in that area west of 11th was basically the Red Light District. I went to AMY CC 80-82 when it was at 219 N. Broad Street and we'd sometimes sneak over there either to Race Pizza (which the convention center
did erase) or to the dirty book stores when we were feeling brave.
My Philly Chinatown time started in the early-mid 70's and with the exception of the creep a bit across Vine Street now, the footprint of the neighborhood's essentially the same as it ever was. What's within that footprint may be slightly different, but there's really not been any usurpation; Chinatown was never going to reach Market Street, so while The Gallery's construction was disruptive (as was that of the Commuter Tunnel), the buildings themselves mostly create an unfortunate "wall" on Chinatown's south side. Seems like the arena would just replace a section of what already exists, and that may not be optimal for Chinatown, but it wouldn't be a new encroachment.
If Chinatown expansion is what's desired, as someone noted, there are develop-able lots within Chinatown's footprint, and I've always wondered why the neighborhood didn't expand north - VSE notwithstanding - as it's doing a bit now; hopefully the "stitch" will accelerate that more than providing incentive for non-Chinatown-focused development.
Even the historic Chinatown here in NYC in Manhattan is not what it used to be as other areas of the city - including 2 here in Brooklyn - have developed as Chinatowns (like those in the lower NE in Philly) - that Chinatown also took a huge hit during COVID and has not entirely rebounded from that.
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