PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread II

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

I think everyone would be really happy with every 30 mins...it's currently every 2 hours on Sat/Sun for Chestnut Hill east and west lines. I know it's a money issue, just saying.

I was going to make a similar comment. Unless you are using it for weekday commutes into the City, the RR schedule is pretty brutal, especially on weekends as you mentioned.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

I think everyone would be really happy with every 30 mins...it's currently every 2 hours on Sat/Sun for Chestnut Hill east and west lines. I know it's a money issue, just saying.

This is totally fair, but it was hourly on weekends prior to COVID. I took your comment to mean "more frequent than it's run in the last 20 years."

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by InvisibleMan

Yeah older gen-z here as well. My partner and I are both in STEM, and the market is kinda tough here (especially in or near Center City). The jobs do exist, but entry-level is rough and most are out in the 'burbs. I love Philadelphia though, and we just bought our first home in West Mount Airy (transit, walkability, trees, and turnpike access ), which I'd imagine would be a pipe dream in any other east coast city (aside from Baltimore).

Congratulations! This is a huge milestone no matter the circumstances, let alone the current interest rate and job environment.

[InvisibleMan]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

Congratulations! This is a huge milestone no matter the circumstances, let alone the current interest rate and job environment.

Thanks!!

[PHLtoNYC]

Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and other grocery chains in 'arms race' for Philadelphia real estate

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...der-joes-grocery-stores-real-estate.html

Whole Foods Market plans to add locations of its small-format Daily Shop in Fitler Square and Fishtown and a suburban grocery store in Upper Providence. Trader Joe’s signed a lease this summer for a future South Philadelphia store on Columbus Boulevard, and Sprouts Farmers Market plans openings outside the city in Havertown and Sewell, New Jersey.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and other grocery chains in 'arms race' for Philadelphia real estate

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...der-joes-grocery-stores-real-estate.html

Whole Foods Market plans to add locations of its small-format Daily Shop in Fitler Square and Fishtown and a suburban grocery store in Upper Providence. Trader Joe’s signed a lease this summer for a future South Philadelphia store on Columbus Boulevard, and Sprouts Farmers Market plans openings outside the city in Havertown and Sewell, New Jersey.

I still can't believe no one has snagged the old Amazon Fresh Across from Yards Brewery yet. It's just sitting there!

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by Redddog

I still can't believe no one has snagged the old Amazon Fresh Across from Yards Brewery yet. It's just sitting there!

Yea, seems like a no brainer! Unless Trader Joe's or Whole Foods is concerned about parking?

Separately, hopefully Wegman's joins the fun.

[therealdawk]

There was an opinion piece in the Inqy today about the Ave of Arts medians. Definitely some good points made about this project making the stretch feel more isolated on opposite sides of the street.
Is the rest of the project already a done deal? Or is the city taking in feedback to possibly cancel this?

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/comment...howRecommendationsR5L9USBK7X2V7#cxrecs_s

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and other grocery chains in 'arms race' for Philadelphia real estate

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...der-joes-grocery-stores-real-estate.html

Whole Foods Market plans to add locations of its small-format Daily Shop in Fitler Square and Fishtown and a suburban grocery store in Upper Providence. Trader Joe’s signed a lease this summer for a future South Philadelphia store on Columbus Boulevard, and Sprouts Farmers Market plans openings outside the city in Havertown and Sewell, New Jersey.

Crazy that the retail space purpose-built for a grocery store at 43rd and Baltimore continues to sit vacant.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by therealdawk

There was an opinion piece in the Inqy today about the Ave of Arts medians. Definitely some good points made about this project making the stretch feel more isolated on opposite sides of the street.
Is the rest of the project already a done deal? Or is the city taking in feedback to possibly cancel this?

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/comment...howRecommendationsR5L9USBK7X2V7#cxrecs_s

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.

[mcgrath618]

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.

The oped is definitely lacking in solutions, but it does point out some valid criticisms with the project (including the ones you've just mentioned, as well as the handling of the sidewalks).

[BroadandMarket]

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.

[japmes]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

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.

Couldn't agree more. It's so frustrating to see projects take so long and cost so much when proven designs exist already.

[PHL10]

When I was slagging on the median back in June, most people on here came to it's defense. So people have reconsidered since then or the Inquirer has a lot more clout than I do - haha.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by PHL10

When I was slagging on the median back in June, most people on here came to it's defense. So people have reconsidered since then or the Inquirer has a lot more clout than I do - haha.

I defended it, and I still 100% believe Broad Street should be greened and beautified. That said, the design should be simplified to make it more cost effective to build and maintain.

The online complainers (including the Inquirer), I tend to take with a grain of salt, because so much of it doesn't come from a genuine interest in improving the project. It's more of the same reflexive, tired “why should the city have nice things?” mentality.

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

I defended it, and I still 100% believe Broad Street should be greened and beautified. That said, the design should be simplified to make it more cost effective to build and maintain.

The online complainers (including the Inquirer), I tend to take with a grain of salt, because so much of it doesn't come from a genuine interest in improving the project. It's more of the same reflexive, tired “why should the city have nice things?” mentality.

To be fair, I agree with you on most things, but the complaints were all valid.

The narrative that it needs this high structure to support the roots of trees should be taken with a grain of salt because it 1000% doesn't even need trees. In fact, I think the trees look weird in the middle of the street. It reminds me of the light beacons on North Broad Street. Totally off balance.

A landscape with low hedges and flowers and other native grasses would have sufficed. Which city agency is even running this project?

I frankly think it looks ridiculous considering how much money was spent on it. And not for nothing, I could care less what Carl Dranoff thinks about it aesthetically. Aside from Arthaus, which is the only well designed project he's made, probably against his will...everything else he's ever built gives off 1995 Tuscan Kitchen vibes. I know for a fact his house is covered in marble and gilded furniture. I don't even need to see a picture for it to be confirmed.

[summersm343]

New two story retail building proposed for 1706-10 Walnut Street. While I’m disappointed we’re not getting a high rise here, I’m glad to see this lot getting refilled.

https://www.phila.gov/media/20260817164730/1706-10-Walnut-St-app.pdf

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by summersm343

New two story retail building proposed for 1706-10 Walnut Street. While I’m disappointed we’re not getting a high rise here, I’m glad to see this lot getting refilled.

https://www.phila.gov/media/20260817164730/1706-10-Walnut-St-app.pdf

Great news but looking at this large retail space has me thinking. They haven't been able to fill the similarly sized former-GAP space on the 1500 block of Walnut for the last 5 years so....

[Dan1]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Crazy that the retail space purpose-built for a grocery store at 43rd and Baltimore continues to sit vacant.

Same with the proposed Lidl at Broad & Girard. There's also a never opened Target at 36th and Chestnut. I'm surprised Whole Foods or Trader Joe's aren't interested in that Target space. Maybe because it's split between two floors and attached to an (abandoned? residential tower/international house).

[Dan1]

Originally Posted by summersm343

New two story retail building proposed for 1706-10 Walnut Street. While I’m disappointed we’re not getting a high rise here, I’m glad to see this lot getting refilled.

https://www.phila.gov/media/20260817164730/1706-10-Walnut-St-app.pdf

Really surprised it's only two floors. Could they even financially justify this? I figured the property would be worth a ton and end up a luxury residential tower.