One problem with this line of thinking is that it would further facilitate suburban sprawl. The inadequacy of 76 has actually been a positive for the city in that it has helped keep people from moving further into the hinterland.
My vote for improved transportation in the area would be to convert the Manayunk/Norristown line to rapid transit and extend it to KOP. I would also convert one of the Chestnut Hill lines to rapid transit.
I wouldn't be against that , I think ideally we'd have both. Would love to be able to take a train to KOP mall.
Unfortunately, US Airways (before merging with AA) objected to the FAA approved $6B+ Plan "A" and produced a veiled threat to dehub the airport and transfer significant services to Charlotte and elsewhere. UPS also objected to the Plan and their relocation with a similar threat. US Airways finally agreed to fund $750K over 2 years (their current lease expires in 2015) for a relatively small portion of the upgrade - including a detailed design "study" for the People Mover. What will be interesting to watch over the next year is what the new American Airlines decides to do with Philadelphia. If they expand it significantly (particularly internationally), then the threat may be an empty one. BTW, US Airways estimated the total cost of Plan "A" would grow to $10B+. Even though we primarily address "skyscrapers" here, PHL is a MAJOR economic engine for the city and likely directly impacts its future growth. It is also considered one of the worse designed major airports (for passengers) in the country.
Former Society Hill Furniture apartments look just about done:
15th and Walnut demo:
AQ Rittenhouse Foundations:
19th and Arch in context:
Where the pillar fell:
Evo:
Damage from last weeks flood:
The Park itself is pretty much cleaned up of debris (saw full trash in piles) though there is still flood mud everywhere and the "composting toilets" are closed indefinitely....
"To me the most important part about the capping is the noise. "
ILovePhilly
Hi Everyone,
After reading this forum several times a day for years I have finally decided to join and post (which I guarantee I will somehow mess up). First, thanks for entertaining me for years with your hard work and great ideas.
I used ILovePhilly's quote about noise and 676 because I have always had a similar feeling about the Schuylkill River Park. The noise from 76 (four lanes) gets funneled across the river and makes the park much louder than it needs to be. If sound walls were used on the west side of the river then the park experience on the east side would be much better. Some simple green (even ivy) could be used to soften the view and (maybe?) deter graffiti.
They would also fully enclose the expressway--which would then require ventilation. Heavy, expensive ventilation.
I've never found the highway noise there especially problematic, though; the sound waves dissipate across the river so it's just some low background junk and not acutely, loudly there the way it is by the Vine.
Interesting article on the Northeast. I know it's not development related, but it's demographically and growth-ily interesting nonetheless. Maybe one day we'll finally see rail transit up there. Heh.
Oh, another random thing. This morning WHYY's Radio Times had a segment called "Rental boom, Century 21 and development in Center City". I can only assume we were given a massive shout out.
Interesting article on the Northeast. I know it's not development related, but it's demographically and growth-ily interesting nonetheless. Maybe one day we'll finally see rail transit up there. Heh.
Great news! But why didn't the State move to more aggressively curtail labor's unfriendly stranglehold on the convention center before authorizing its expansion? Seems silly not to tie those two together. I just hope this move is more than cosmetic. And if so, that the center's leadership will shout this change from the rooftops, because a reputation is a hard thing to change. To say that the reason for its shortcomings is anything besides unruly unions and their arcane rules is asinine.
I did a little base work for my own edification. Average asking price per the building is $24/SF, with the (somewhat surprising) low being Bok in East Passyunk Crossing at $5/SF and the (even more surprising) high being M. Hall Stanton at 1523 W Cumberland at $48/SF (maybe that's a mistake?). The next highest are Walter Smith (Point Breeze, $46.55/SF) and Vare (Pennsport, $46.30/SF). Of course, these are just asking prices, and some of these are not selling no matter how low the asking price is.
And a map of all the properties including the information available plus $/SF:
Speaking of something similar, anyone have any idea why this plan never got any traction? The pilot was, both from what I saw and heard, a 100% success (as anyone who has ever driven, walked, or biked on either of those super-sized streets could have predicted). I know $$ was the issue, but it's completely dropped off the radar.
Both JFK and Market, but funding will determine much of what is possible. The City will release multiple renderings and additional information on the options in the next month or two.
Does anyone know who owns the lot behind PECO? I was just imaging if Riverside and the Market place towers came to pass that a nice 1200 ft tower on that lot would really move our skyline to the head of the class.
Can't say much other than that this surface lot on the north side of 2200 Market probably isn't going to change for a while.
Two Unions will not accept the Convention Center's offer (carpenters and another I don't know). I wonder how this will play out: whether they will be kicked out (thus causing a shit-storm of inflatable rats) or some accomodation will be made. I hope the former - better absorb the pain now to allow for the long-term growth of convention business (and therefore, hotel demand, restaurant demand, tax revenue, and I can go on ad infinitum)
__________________
"Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put."
Two Unions will not accept the Convention Center's offer (carpenters and another I don't know). I wonder how this will play out: whether they will be kicked out (thus causing a shit-storm of inflatable rats) or some accomodation will be made. I hope the former - better absorb the pain now to allow for the long-term growth of convention business (and therefore, hotel demand, restaurant demand, tax revenue, and I can go on ad infinitum)
I wanna see them go artsy with it. Put 200 rats on Market Street. It can be an outdoor art installation. Keep it for the summer; close off the street, the horticultural society can put a beer garden in the middle of it all.
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, I think ideally we'd have both. Would love to be able to take a train to KOP mall. 
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