PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII

[hammersklavier]

Inga's criticism of the Drexel Dorm is 1) scathing and 2) wrong.

Why it is wrong: Because the dorm's context ain't Frat Row across the street but rather the dorms immediately around it. Her complaint about the south side being service is unwarranted because that side is right next to another major dormitory building--Kelly Hall--which at about half the dorm's height gives it the interface it needs between itself, campus, and frat row. And there's yet another building to its north. This is the best-executed pilotis-structure I've ever seen.

She is right on one thing, though: blocking off the windows in the stairwells was a bad idea.

[volguus zildrohar]

I'm on a recent tear for historic drawings of Philadelphia structures, both built and unbuilt. I came across a design by Paul Cret I'd never seen for a new train station at 32nd Street, the former West Philadelphia Station.

As you can see, it's not too dissimilar from D.C.'s Union Station in design.

[Parkway]

If you look carefully at that picture you can see that they EL actually goes into the station while it appears that the commuter rail line bypass the station entirely.

[theWatusi]

That's interesting, though I think we lucked out with the 30th St we ended up with.

[volguus zildrohar]

You're right. Beyond Grand Central and D.C. Union, I don't think any other station compares.

[EastSideHBG]

VERY cool!

Breaking ground with a $1.6 billion plan to tame water

By Sandy Bauers

Inquirer Staff Writer

Philadelphia has announced a $1.6 billion plan to transform the city over the next 20 years by embracing its storm water - instead of hustling it down sewers and into rivers as fast as possible.

The proposal, which several experts called the nation's most ambitious, reimagines the city as an oasis of rain gardens, green roofs, thousands of additional trees, porous pavement, and more.

All would act as sponges to absorb - or at least stall - the billions of gallons of rainwater that overwhelm the city sewer system every year.

The plan's complex funding formula would raise rates somewhat but also attract grants and encourage private investment.

Further, the Water Department says the city's greening would result in more jobs, higher property values, better air quality, less energy use, and even fewer deaths - from excess heat.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_pag...h_a__1_6_billion_plan_to_tame_water.html

[pwp]

Damn, Nutter is for real about becoming the Greenest City in America. This is great. PS. They can jump-start the project by channeling the water that flooded my basement at 1am last night.

Originally Posted by EastSideHBG

VERY cool!

Breaking ground with a $1.6 billion plan to tame water

By Sandy Bauers

Inquirer Staff Writer

Philadelphia has announced a $1.6 billion plan to transform the city over the next 20 years by embracing its storm water - instead of hustling it down sewers and into rivers as fast as possible.

The proposal, which several experts called the nation's most ambitious, reimagines the city as an oasis of rain gardens, green roofs, thousands of additional trees, porous pavement, and more.

All would act as sponges to absorb - or at least stall - the billions of gallons of rainwater that overwhelm the city sewer system every year.

The plan's complex funding formula would raise rates somewhat but also attract grants and encourage private investment.

Further, the Water Department says the city's greening would result in more jobs, higher property values, better air quality, less energy use, and even fewer deaths - from excess heat.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_pag...h_a__1_6_billion_plan_to_tame_water.html

[gttx]

Maybe this is a long shot, but I'm looking for ideas for a proposal for the empty lot at the corner of 20th and Market St (next to the BCBS building). I'm a student at Penn, and, having only lived in Philly for a year, I don't know too much about the site, what might work, etc. Any advice or ideas are most welcome. What would YOU want to see built there?

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by gttx

Maybe this is a long shot, but I'm looking for ideas for a proposal for the empty lot at the corner of 20th and Market St (next to the BCBS building). I'm a student at Penn, and, having only lived in Philly for a year, I don't know too much about the site, what might work, etc. Any advice or ideas are most welcome. What would YOU want to see built there?

Opus had a couple of proposals for that site. They're on the Skinny.

I would like to see a high-rise (as it's right in the high-rise corridor), but not a fully office building. I think mixed-use--retail base, offices, and apartments (or a hotel)--would be the best use. The retail pad should call for a bigger store, like an expanded Trader Joe's, but not so big-box big, since in the long run the big boxes ought to be established on Market East and in other advantageous locales closer to the PLVI (i.e. City Hall).

[EastSideHBG]

Sorry to the fans out there, but I don't think that I could care about anything any less and I think that the money could've been spent in so many better ways...not to mention that I completely disagree w/ how this is being funded. But, I'll hope for the best and if it does turn things around for Chester, I will gladly eat my words:


Rain, economy delayed new soccer stadium

By Jeff Gammage
Inquirer Staff Writer

A rainy June complicated workers' ability to pour cement. A shaken Wall Street meant it took longer to sell construction bonds.

That squeezed the built-in cushion out of an already tight schedule that aimed to ensure the 18,500-seat home of the Philadelphia Union would be ready to open in the spring.

Last week, the soccer team bowed to soggy, economic reality, announcing that it would play its first home game - and maybe its first few - at Lincoln Financial Field.

"It's a daily thing, where we're at: Are we a day behind, a week behind, a month behind?" said Nick Sakiewicz, the team chief executive and operating partner. "It's a very fluid situation."

At the same time the team is building a $115 million stadium on the Chester waterfront, its representatives are traveling the world to identify potential Union players. And its ticket agents are handling steady requests: The team has taken deposits for 9,100 season tickets, roughly half the capacity of the Chester stadium.

The stadium's steel skeleton is rising just south of the Commodore Barry Bridge, cranes and crews working counter-clockwise around an oval pattern. Red brick covers parts of the exterior. Ticket windows are installed.

Sakiewicz said the stadium still could be finished before the opening home game, April 10 against D.C. United, but the team could not guarantee that as the Major League Soccer schedule was being finalized.

At most, he said, the Union will play three or four games in its temporary home.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090928_Rain__economy_delayed_new_soccer_stadium.html

[cwd22]

Originally Posted by EastSideHBG

Sorry to the fans out there, but I don't think that I could care about anything any less and I think that the money could've been spent in so many better ways...not to mention that I completely disagree w/ how this is being funded. But, I'll hope for the best and if it does turn things around for Chester, I will gladly eat my words:


Rain, economy delayed new soccer stadium

By Jeff Gammage
Inquirer Staff Writer

A rainy June complicated workers' ability to pour cement. A shaken Wall Street meant it took longer to sell construction bonds.

That squeezed the built-in cushion out of an already tight schedule that aimed to ensure the 18,500-seat home of the Philadelphia Union would be ready to open in the spring.

Last week, the soccer team bowed to soggy, economic reality, announcing that it would play its first home game - and maybe its first few - at Lincoln Financial Field.

"It's a daily thing, where we're at: Are we a day behind, a week behind, a month behind?" said Nick Sakiewicz, the team chief executive and operating partner. "It's a very fluid situation."

At the same time the team is building a $115 million stadium on the Chester waterfront, its representatives are traveling the world to identify potential Union players. And its ticket agents are handling steady requests: The team has taken deposits for 9,100 season tickets, roughly half the capacity of the Chester stadium.

The stadium's steel skeleton is rising just south of the Commodore Barry Bridge, cranes and crews working counter-clockwise around an oval pattern. Red brick covers parts of the exterior. Ticket windows are installed.

Sakiewicz said the stadium still could be finished before the opening home game, April 10 against D.C. United, but the team could not guarantee that as the Major League Soccer schedule was being finalized.

At most, he said, the Union will play three or four games in its temporary home.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090928_Rain__economy_delayed_new_soccer_stadium.html

This is good news for me. There was no way I was going to be able to make it to Chester to see a game, but now I'll at least be able to see one or two.

[theWatusi]

Not sure what to think of this:





http://deadspin.com/5354854/cole-hamels-continues-his-slow-transformation-into-a-doily

[Urban Jungle]

It seems Cole is more a model these days than an pitcher.
After last nights blown game maybe its better that way.

lets not pull a Mets.

[Swinefeld]

What to think of that?

KYW's Mike Dunn reports that Thursday, October 8th is the date for formal groundbreaking of the first slots parlor within the city limits. This comes after a couple of years of delays and protests, and Sugarhouse spokesperson Leigh Whitaker says getting to this point is a relief:

"As you know, it's been a very long road for us here. So this is very important in terms of making this casino a reality."

The current plan has an interim facility opening within ten months, with 1,700 slot machines. An expansion of that would be built later, with nearly double that number of machines, along with retail and dining.

http://www.kyw1060.com/Groundbreaking-Set-for-Sugarhouse/5321140

[PhillyRising]

Originally Posted by theWatusi

Not sure what to think of this:

He should be spending more time trying to be the pitcher he was last fall instead of looking pretty in an ad.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by theWatusi

Not sure what to think of this:

http://deadspin.com/5354854/cole-hamels-continues-his-slow-transformation-into-a-doily

I am. It makes me not want to live there. LOL

[TonyAnderson]

Originally Posted by PhillyRising

He should be spending more time trying to be the pitcher he was last fall instead of looking pretty in an ad.

I know, what's with him trying to do anything whatsoever not baseball related?

[EastSideHBG]

Originally Posted by PA Pride

I am. It makes me not want to live there. LOL

I hate both pictures but if I had to choose, the 2nd one is better because A) it shows more of her 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 and B) the unexplainable children lounging with them on their bed LOL

[theWatusi]

^ those are obviously rental children

[justremember]

Originally Posted by theWatusi

^ those are obviously rental children

You mean I'm the only one who sees a family resemblance?