PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[Cro Burnham]

Originally Posted by Outta here

What knowledge do you possess that would promote such a statement ?
Do you have inside information with regard to perceived construction jobs
..... or are you just anti union .

You can be pro-union and anti-local carpenters and teamsters (just ask Johnny Doc or Pat Gillespie). Those guys are a bunch of buffoons who readily cut off their noses to spite their (already ugly) mugs. PCC is the perfect example of this.

[McBane]

Originally Posted by AbortedWalrus

There is a Rite Aid and CVS within a 5 minute walk from this location on Fairmount Ave. I don't see that as a daunting commute. I'd rather the Whole Foods was a real supermarket that just had a pharmacy in it, rather than a CVS going into the building with one so nearby. The existing CVS is right in the Fairmount restaurant area which people will probably be walking to frequently anyway. The medical center I am sort of apathetic to, but young 25-35 year olds don't really typically use medical care super frequently. Still, it is a good convenience if boring. I can think of a lot of amenities I'd rather have in the location. A cleaners for example, one that did delivery to apartments in the building. A Bed Bath and Beyond or other home goods type store. Restaurants and/or bars. The stuff mentioned is just boring.

These statements, like there are too many of this type of store or none of this type of store is silly. Why would CVS spend $$$ to build a store 5 min from an existing Rite Aide IF it didn't think there was a market for both? And as much as I'd love to see a BBB in CC, I don't think that is what gets the executives to locate a store in a specific area. It's all about the money.

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

You don't think being submerged in exceptionally strong currents would beat the hell out of it over a few years? I mean, being exposed to rain and snow is one thing, but being underwater during a flash flood is another. I would assume they have thought through the whole process and expect this and designed accordingly...I was just curious.

Are the currents "exceptionally strong" here? It's dammed just a bit up river and my observation has been that the water has always been incredibly placid.

Also, just simply from an engineering standpoint, this isn't a very complicated project.

[PhillySteaks]

Originally Posted by Londonee

Are the currents "exceptionally strong" here? It's dammed just a bit up river and my observation has been that the water has always been incredibly placid.

Also, just simply from an engineering standpoint, this isn't a very complicated project.

Is this the placid water you are referring to?

http://ens-newswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/20110828_philadelphia.jpg

There is a water utility works up river, but not exactly sure what dam you are talking about? Either way it's up river, not much of a barrier from this stuff coming from up river in conshohocken.

http://cbsphilly.files.wordpress.com/201...ay-1-morning-credit-emeraldead.jpg?w=620

[1487]

Originally Posted by AbortedWalrus

There is a Rite Aid and CVS within a 5 minute walk from this location on Fairmount Ave. I don't see that as a daunting commute. I'd rather the Whole Foods was a real supermarket that just had a pharmacy in it, rather than a CVS going into the building with one so nearby. The existing CVS is right in the Fairmount restaurant area which people will probably be walking to frequently anyway. The medical center I am sort of apathetic to, but young 25-35 year olds don't really typically use medical care super frequently. Still, it is a good convenience if boring. I can think of a lot of amenities I'd rather have in the location. A cleaners for example, one that did delivery to apartments in the building. A Bed Bath and Beyond or other home goods type store. Restaurants and/or bars. The stuff mentioned is just boring.

In case you hadnt noticed drug stores tend to locate rather close to their competitors. 5min away in a walkable neighborhood isn't necessarily that convenient to many people. A drug store will be used far more frequently than a bar by most residents. And I dont think CC has a lack of bars last time I checked. Not to mention many residents probably wouldnt be thrilled by prospect of bar below their units. Generally speaking you dont find a lot of establishments that attract late night drinking clientele in the bottom of residential buildings- which kind of makes sense.

[wondertwinalpha]

It is designed to flood.

In fact, the boardwalk will be so close to the water that “once or twice a year, if you have a severe flood or hurricane, the water is going to come over the boardwalk,” Fike said.

But the boardwalk, like the on-land portions of the Schuylkill River Trail, is designed for that. Much of the structure is concrete, so rust is not a major concern, and the broom finish on the deck surface will keep the boardwalk and ramp from becoming too slippery. The lighting that SRDC hopes to install will be both solar powered and out of the flood plain.

http://planphilly.com/eyesonthestreet/20...ction-is-buzzing-along-in-tune-with-tide

[Baconboy007]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

You don't think being submerged in exceptionally strong currents would beat the hell out of it over a few years? I mean, being exposed to rain and snow is one thing, but being underwater during a flash flood is another. I would assume they have thought through the whole process and expect this and designed accordingly...I was just curious.

I'm in no way an expert on this, my point was that being under water isn't the biggest threat(in my opinion). It's what's moving in those strong currents that can take out the railings or just leave the paths blocked and require a crew to maintain. Eventually the ice caps will melt and we'll all be under water

[Parkway]

Originally Posted by AbortedWalrus

This development sounds great but that is some of the most boring commercial tenants they can get. They need a bar and a restaurant to anchor this. A grocery store, pharmacy, and medical center aren't exactly the type of things people are clamoring for. Look at the Granary. It has three restaurants, two with liqour licenses.

I actually live right down the street from the Granary and I'll say that these are exactly the kind of tenants we need in this development. I've been in a single restaurant in the Granary once but I go to the grocery store and Rite Aid almost weekly and the doctors office will be a godsend if/when my yearly sinus infection happens. However I am with PhillySteaks in wishing that it was anything but a Whole Paycheck..

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

Is this the placid water you are referring to?

http://ens-newswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/20110828_philadelphia.jpg

There is a water utility works up river, but not exactly sure what dam you are talking about? Either way it's up river, not much of a barrier from this stuff coming from up river in conshohocken.

Originally Posted by Baconboy007

I'm in no way an expert on this, my point was that being under water isn't the biggest threat(in my opinion). It's what's moving in those strong currents that can take out the railings or just leave the paths blocked and require a crew to maintain. Eventually the ice caps will melt and we'll all be under water

Guys, we put people on the moon using computers with less processing power than what's available in your smart phone. For this tremendously complicated project (sarcasm)--I think the engineers involved we'll be OK securing a walkway over water.

Schuylkill Banks already has a maintenance crew--and an organization that is responsible for its upkeep and development (my wife volunteers for them).

[AbortedWalrus]

Originally Posted by McBane

These statements, like there are too many of this type of store or none of this type of store is silly. Why would CVS spend $$$ to build a store 5 min from an existing Rite Aide IF it didn't think there was a market for both? And as much as I'd love to see a BBB in CC, I don't think that is what gets the executives to locate a store in a specific area. It's all about the money.

There is a huge difference between what the market can support and what is actually ideal for the neighborhood/area. That's why discussion and planning are important. Anyway, it's not 5 mins from a Rite Aid, it's a block away from one (I forgot about the one on Hamilton). It's five minutes from another CVS (four blocks, next to a gas station), a different Rite Aid, the Philadelphian Pharmacy, Fairmount Pharmacy Services, and maybe a few I am forgetting about. There are a ton of pharmacies in the neighborhood. Anyway, it doesn't have to be a bar or a restaurant (those are just the things you equate with luxury apartments), there are just some other amenities that would be nice and more exciting to prospective tenants.

Edit: Also, Rite Aid is a PA company! We should always be down on CVS!

[PhillySteaks]

Originally Posted by Londonee

Guys, we put people on the moon using computers with less processing power than what's available in your smart phone. For this tremendously complicated project (sarcasm)--I think the engineers involved we'll be OK securing a walkway over water.

Schuylkill Banks already has a maintenance crew--and an organization that is responsible for its upkeep and development (my wife volunteers for them).

That wasn't what the convo was about. I think we can agree the engineers behind this marvel expect floods. My concern was that after 5-10 years of floods and beating it doesn't turn into a death trap. As long as it is maintained it shouldn't be a problem, but Philadelphia has a wonderful history of maintaining things after all. Not volunteers keeping it clean, architects making sure the concrete doesn't crack, corrode, and float away with the ice and flooding over the years.

[Outta here]

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

You can be pro-union and anti-local carpenters and teamsters (just ask Johnny Doc or Pat Gillespie). Those guys are a bunch of buffoons who readily cut off their noses to spite their (already ugly) mugs. PCC is the perfect example of this.

Don't take offense , it was merely an honest question . I have worked with both union and non union industries . I have been fortunate enough to benefit from both . Clearly there are business' that are better off without union intervention , and those that need protection from firms that have no interest in protecting , educating or financially rewarding hard working employees .
Thank you for your input and except my withdraw from further comment about the subject ..... No shoot out required .

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by AbortedWalrus

There is a huge difference between what the market can support and what is actually ideal for the neighborhood/area. That's why discussion and planning are important. Anyway, it's not 5 mins from a Rite Aid, it's a block away from one (I forgot about the one on Hamilton). It's five minutes from another CVS (four blocks, next to a gas station), a different Rite Aid, the Philadelphian Pharmacy, Fairmount Pharmacy Services, and maybe a few I am forgetting about. There are a ton of pharmacies in the neighborhood. Anyway, it doesn't have to be a bar or a restaurant (those are just the things you equate with luxury apartments), there are just some other amenities that would be nice and more exciting to prospective tenants.

Edit: Also, Rite Aid is a PA company! We should always be down on CVS!

A pharmacy and a med center will bring in high paying jobs to the area which IMO is honestly better than more bars and restaurants. There is always more opportunity for those - like the development which will be going up across the street. Or in a newly developed project on what will be the old wholefoods site.

[PhillySteaks]

Originally Posted by summersm343

A pharmacy and a med center will bring in high paying jobs to the area which IMO is honestly better than more bars and restaurants. There is always more opportunity for those - like the development which will be going up across the street. Or in a newly developed project on what will be the old wholefoods site.

Completely agree with you, sustainable economy first; restaurants and retail second. Is there any thing planned for that Whole Foods site?

[bywoods]

The flooding issue aside, did you see the view of center city from the new schuylkill boardwalk. This will significantly improve the aesthetics for the thousands of daily pedestrian and bike commuters from center city into the penn/chop campus. These numbers will only grow as the proposed apartments along the river (one riverside, 23 and arch, etc) and all the proposed new buildings on the medical campus are built out. The boardwalk is going to be very crowded for the days it is above water.

[Cro Burnham]

Originally Posted by Outta here

Don't take offense . . .
Thank you for your input and except my withdraw from further comment about the subject ..... No shoot out required .

No offense taken. I am not anti-union at all, I just can't stand the S. Jersey Philadelphia building trades, particularly the carpenters.

[McBane]

...and speaking of unions

http://www.philly.com/philly/home/201408...s_a_hard-won_lift_for_Loft_District.html

[1487]

Originally Posted by McBane

...and speaking of unions

http://www.philly.com/philly/home/201408...s_a_hard-won_lift_for_Loft_District.html

I think the article overstates the power of the trades in 2014. They lost quite a bit of clout when Nutter was elected because he never solicited their support and they were unable to find a challenger in 2011. Tons of smaller projects all over the city are non-union. They tend to raise a fuss about high profile projects, especially in center city but the reality is they cant be everywhere and there is so much residential construction going on they can't picket every non union site even if they wanted to.

[josef]

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

No offense taken. I am not anti-union at all, I just can't stand the S. Jersey Philadelphia building trades, particularly the carpenters.

Hey. Some of those dudes are totally from Delco.

[tsarstruck]

AQ Rittenhouse had a top-off ceremony. Greenberger dropped this tasty tidbit:

"There are over 200 projects representing more than $8.5 billion of investment that have either been completed since January 2013, are underway right now, or are about to get going.”