PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread II

[PHLtoNYC]

^ What is the status of Spark? Is it now entirely Roche? Is this size of a facility still (hopefully) needed?

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

^ What is the status of Spark? Is it now entirely Roche? Is this size of a facility still (hopefully) needed?

If not, I guarantee you the need will re-materialize in the future.

The retracement we've seen in life sciences investment is temporary.

If anything, the response to the current pants sh*tter in office that we will see in the future will be a pendulum shift the size of which we haven't seen in modern political history.

Philadelphia is well-situated, through facilities like this one, to take its fair share of the pie go forward.

[Jawnadelphia]

Western side steel beams are completed, eastern side making progress now.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by Jawnadelphia

Western side steel beams are completed, eastern side making progress now.

Great shots Jawn! Thanks!





I suppose they need to keep the shrubbery from encroaching on the roadway but the median planters on S. Broad look like a Jersey barrier with cladding.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by PHL10

Great shots Jawn! Thanks!

I suppose they need to keep the shrubbery from encroaching on the roadway but the median planters on S. Broad look like a Jersey barrier with cladding.

I think the median looks nice, at least from those shots. The barrier may also keep trash from accumulating in the center.

I was tired of seeing all the negative comments about how it's pointless, a waste of money, blocks City Hall, etc. Philadelphia needs to embrace ideas like this instead of reflexively opposing them. I'm glad Phase 1 moved forward so quickly.

To pick up the pace and save money, they should just build out the remaining sections, add some low-maintenance landscaping and seasonal flowers, and call it a day. The larger trees, sidewalk seating, and other enhancements can always be added later.

[Gritty’s_twin]

It isn’t Park Ave or Michigan Ave, but it looks good. It needed to be elevated because they couldn’t dig down due to the BSL.

[BroadandMarket]

Originally Posted by Gritty’s_twin

It isn’t Park Ave or Michigan Ave, but it looks good. It needed to be elevated because they couldn’t dig down due to the BSL.

Michigan Ave has a lower level and Park Ave has the 6 train with tons of subway entrances and concourses.

It's looking great. I think they should focus on the median landscaping from Girard to Washington first before doing any of the sidewalk stuff.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

Michigan Ave has a lower level and Park Ave has the 6 train with tons of subway entrances and concourses.

It's looking great. I think they should focus on the median landscaping from Girard to Washington first before doing any of the sidewalk stuff.

Michigan Ave has a lower level which is deeper than the Broad Street Subway Mezzanine.

Park Avenue does not have the 6 train, which runs on the IRT Lexington Avenue Subway. Park Avenue has Metro-North below it, but again excepting the two locations where about 100 years ago there were stations, the tunnel is much deeper than the BSL Mezzanine under Broad Street.

[jaysb]

Originally Posted by Jawnadelphia

Western side steel beams are completed, eastern side making progress now.

Great shots. I was on a ride up the Delaware on Saturday and remarked to my wife how large this park is. Shame it too so long to get going but glad to have it moving along.

[PurpleWhiteOut]

Yeah the BSL is quite shallow compared to other systems. The median looks great, ill have to check it out in person. Im very excited it's already happening

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by PurpleWhiteOut

Yeah the BSL is quite shallow compared to other systems. The median looks great, ill have to check it out in person. I'm very excited it's already happening

I'm glad my position isn't popular as I respect the opinions on here and want this to be success. I suppose I was just imagining a shallow planter and not a physical and visual wall separating the two sides of Broad Street.

One thing for sure, this isn't conducive for the Mummer's parade, Sports championship parades, and any other celebrations that would take place on Broad Street.

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

I think the median looks nice, at least from those shots. The barrier may also keep trash from accumulating in the center.

I was tired of seeing all the negative comments about how it's pointless, a waste of money, blocks City Hall, etc. Philadelphia needs to embrace ideas like this instead of reflexively opposing them. I'm glad Phase 1 moved forward so quickly.

To pick up the pace and save money, they should just build out the remaining sections, add some low-maintenance landscaping and seasonal flowers, and call it a day. The larger trees, sidewalk seating, and other enhancements can always be added later.

We deserve nice things too. These same people would probably walk along Park Avenue in NYC and complain Philly doesn't have nice things. Then complain when Philly does it.

[thoughtcriminal]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

Michigan Ave has a lower level and Park Ave has the 6 train with tons of subway entrances and concourses.

It's looking great. I think they should focus on the median landscaping from Girard to Washington first before doing any of the sidewalk stuff.

I have heard that there is some neighborhood opposition to this. specifically because the trees in the planters would block views across the street. I am not sure exactly who is making this complaint, or if this is actually what they are complaining about. anyone have any insight on this?

[BroadandMarket]

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal

I have heard that there is some neighborhood opposition to this. specifically because the trees in the planters would block views across the street. I am not sure exactly who is making this complaint, or if this is actually what they are complaining about. anyone have any insight on this?

I could see businesses not wanting their signage blocked from across the street. For the longest time the rumor was always that the city didn't want landscaped medians because emergency vehicles couldn't turn around on them. That always seemed like an excuse because there's so many gaps in the median. I think the medians should have shrubbery and flowers, not trees that will block city hall view.

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal

I have heard that there is some neighborhood opposition to this. specifically because the trees in the planters would block views across the street. I am not sure exactly who is making this complaint, or if this is actually what they are complaining about. anyone have any insight on this?

To be fair, I don't think the median needs trees. They will in theory also block the iconic view of the City Hall Tower from the South (depending on what angle you take pictures from). In the end, I just want whatever schematic that is picked to be tasteful and well maintained.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

To be fair, I don't think the median needs trees. They will in theory also block the iconic view of the City Hall Tower from the South (depending on what angle you take pictures from). In the end, I just want whatever schematic that is picked to be tasteful and well maintained.

I agree that the median doesn't need trees, some nice shrubs and flowers are fine, and maybe some art installations (Park Ave does that now), and then line the sidewalks with trees (to the extent that they can).

Regarding the view, would the trees really block City Hall? Especially if they're only located in the center portion of each block, as the renderings suggest. Sure, you might be able to find some obscure low-angle photo where they're in the way, but the typical tourist photo or wedding shot should be fine. Or perhaps, just limit the height of vegetation from Walnut to City Hall.

That's not to say sightlines shouldn't be considered in the design, but I've seen people argue that the entire project is a waste because it might partially obstruct a view of City Hall. That's is the kind of thinking that prevents the city from having nice things.

[thoughtcriminal]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

I agree that the median doesn't need trees, some nice shrubs and flowers are fine, and maybe some art installations (Park Ave does that now), and then line the sidewalks with trees (to the extent that they can).

Regarding the view, would the trees really block City Hall? Especially if they're only located in the center portion of each block, as the renderings suggest. Sure, you might be able to find some obscure low-angle photo where they're in the way, but the typical tourist photo or wedding shot should be fine.

That's not to say sightlines shouldn't be considered in the design. But I've literally seen people argue that the entire project shouldn't move forward because it might partially obstruct a view of City Hall. To me, that's a wild position and exactly the kind of thinking that prevents the city from having nice things.

that is what I want to know - is this an organized effort to block the project, or is it just a few malcontents who just like to to complain? if it is organized, who is organizing it?

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal

that is what I want to know - is this an organized effort to block the project, or is it just a few malcontents who just like to to complain? if it is organized, who is organizing it?

I believe its just malcontents, not an organized effort.

Though I should focus less on the complainers (they just annoy me), because this project is a win and is actually moving forward.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

I believe its just malcontents, not an organized effort.

Though I should focus less on the complainers (they just annoy me), because this project is a win and is actually moving forward.

I'm not a malcontent but I walk that stretch several times per week and it really does cut the street in half visually and makes it feel entirely different than the current stretches...for better or worse.

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Regarding the view, would the trees really block City Hall? Especially if they're only located in the center portion of each block, as the renderings suggest.

It obviously depends on what species of tree they plant.

I just honestly don't think it requires them. If anything, they sort of upset the balance and symmetry of the views (remember the light balasts on North Broad)? It is also one of the main critiques of the 'malcontents' and if left out, would probably quiet half of them.

Afterall, it's not a complaint without merit.