Quote:
Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC
I didn't feel like giving the Inquirer a click today. Does the opinion include suggestions for improving or modifying the medians, rather than just scrapping the entire project? The criticism I've read that the median structures are too tall is fair, and there may be ways to improve the design.
But I'm also so tired of the inevitable “this money should have gone to homelessness/affordable housing” response every time the city tries to improve or beautify public space. As if every investment in a city has to be a zero-sum game against every other social need. A functioning city should be able to address homelessness and affordable housing while also investing in greener, cleaner and more attractive public spaces.
That being said, perhaps this would have been a better plan?...
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7424165,..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDgxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Lower simple masonry plant beds with gaps to prevent that sort of wall effect going down the center of each block? Or focus on the perimeter sidewalks first? The 456 runs under this stretch of Park Ave, though it might be deeper?
That stretch definitely needs something. There are plenty of handsome buildings between Broad and South, but I walked it recently in the early morning and again around sunset, and parts of it just feel tired and almost grimy. It varies block to block, but the overall streetscape really needs some form of this plan. |
My biggest gripe is that it's too ambitious and too expensive which is why we only have one block of it. I also don't think trees are right since they will block the view of city hall. I fear that the upkeep will suffer and the rest of Broad will not be finished. I would have much preferred something you posted from NYC or Chicago who have perfected this a long time ago. It should have been a cheaper and simpler version on a larger scale from Girard to Washington. NYC and Chicago have simple ones like this all over. Bushes are so much easier to maintain.
Once again Philly insists on reinventing the wheel. Twice per week trash pickup instead of street sweeping and public trashcans, Septa key instead of using existing technology that had been used and tested in other cities for 20 years etc. etc. etc. Just copy other cities.
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