PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[josef]

Sure thing. Whatever opens whenever, I can't wait to check it out. And I really can't wait to see the art installation part with the glowing lines for the various transit lines running under it. That's really my favorite part.

[1487]

Originally Posted by Baconboy007

Is the change of a name that most people won't adopt for a very long time really a major change? Most people I know that use SEPTA still call the trains they take by the R#.

Now if they're going to announce that they are going to spend so much money to spruce it up and get the pee stink out of there that would be a major announcement.

Something like these would be neat: http://www.thecoolist.com/the-worlds-10-coolest-subway-stations/

Imagine if people came to Philly to visit SEPTA stations.

When does Market East smell like urine? Its one of SEPTA's newer RR stations and its in pretty good shape 30 years after construction. Its almost pointless to compare US transit infrastructure to what is found in first world countries in Europe and Asia. Mass transit is viewed differently over there and spending money on transit is considered a national obligation. Not in America.

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by 1487

When does Market East smell like urine? Its one of SEPTA's newer RR stations and its in pretty good shape 30 years after construction. Its almost pointless to compare US transit infrastructure to what is found in first world countries in Europe and Asia. Mass transit is viewed differently over there and spending money on transit is considered a national obligation. Not in America.

Especially when petrol over in some parts of Europe are $9.00 per gallon.
In any case, the DC Metro Rail is one of the cleaner subway system in the country.

[josef]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Especially when petrol over in some parts of Europe are $9.00 per gallon.
In any case, the DC Metro Rail is one of the cleaner subway system in the country.

That system is so.. grey. It's like it was designed to be soul-crushingly somber. I feel like transit systems should be bright and welcoming. I actually think the Walnut-Locust station should be the model for SEPTA and PATCO stations; it's one of the least-dour station I've been in in the region.

[relnahe]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

In any case, the DC Metro Rail is one of the cleaner subway system in the country.

...and also the newest (east of the Rockies) and most heavily funded (federal dollars) in the country.

[1487]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Especially when petrol over in some parts of Europe are $9.00 per gallon.
In any case, the DC Metro Rail is one of the cleaner subway system in the country.

I think we need to separate physical condition from cleanliness- they are different. SEPTA's stations are clean but they are 40-50 years older than Metro stations and that age is reflected in their conditions, especially on the BSL. Most El stations are relatively modern. I dont know that DC's stations are any cleaner than average, they are just much newer than what you find in Philly/NYC/Boston.

[1487]

Originally Posted by josef

That system is so.. grey. It's like it was designed to be soul-crushingly somber. I feel like transit systems should be bright and welcoming. I actually think the Walnut-Locust station should be the model for SEPTA and PATCO stations; it's one of the least-dour station I've been in in the region.

SEPTA's subway/El stations are generally in decent condition and are in better shape than they've been in decades. The stations on the BSL south of walnut locust were redone or built in the 70s I believe. Most of the stations north of city hall have either been rebuilt or cosmetically upgraded in recent years. Fairmount is the exception. El stations in west philly west of 40th are only a few years old except for 69th street. The worst stations in the network are City Hall, 15th street and Fairmount. Spring Garden isn't great either.

[br323206]

Originally Posted by 1487

When does Market East smell like urine? Its one of SEPTA's newer RR stations and its in pretty good shape 30 years after construction. Its almost pointless to compare US transit infrastructure to what is found in first world countries in Europe and Asia. Mass transit is viewed differently over there and spending money on transit is considered a national obligation. Not in America.

I was about to say the same thing. I visit Market East Station daily and have never once smelled urine. I think the "SEPTA smells like pee" meme has gotten to the point where people just keep saying it even though it hasn't been the truth in a long time. Have I occasionally smelled urine, or other unseemly smells, in the subway concourses? Yes. It'd be impossible not to have it occasionally smell bad. Is it often? Absolutely not. Have I ever smelled these smells in Suburban, Market East, or 30th Street? Absolutely not.

Also, I've encountered WAY worse smells in the NYC subways.

[tsarstruck]

Originally Posted by 1487

SEPTA has done a lot of cosmetic work in the 15th street trolley station area and fare collection area shared by 15th and the Orange Line. New flooring surface, new LED lights, some new painting and they are finishing the elevator.

The most hilarious thing they've recently done is to replace the light well in the 15th Street trolley/BSL concourse (the one with blocked glass right before the trolley entrance), which had been completely removed during construction. Of course, now there's no opening to fill the well, so it's just blocked in artificial light.

[PhillySteaks]

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/tr...ion_to_be_renamed_Jefferson_Station.html

I can deal with "Jefferson Station". To an outsider with no idea TJU exists they would merely connect the historical significance of Thomas Jefferson. Or perhaps George Jefferson?

That being said one word comes to mind when I hear one of our busiest stations being turned into "Verizon Station"......pathetic.

Can't wait until 30th Street becomes no named politician who never had a hand in transportation station.

Walnut/Locust - Santander Station

Girard - Dollar General Station

[justremember]

Originally Posted by Baconboy007

Something like these would be neat: http://www.thecoolist.com/the-worlds-10-coolest-subway-stations/

Imagine if people came to Philly to visit SEPTA stations.

At first I thought "we'd never spend the amount of money to do something like this" but then the pictures from Frankfurt, it made me think that a lower-cost option might be to cover the walls of station in edgy artwork (something more dramatic than the art on the norther BSL stations)

[Johnland]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/tr...ion_to_be_renamed_Jefferson_Station.html

I can deal with "Jefferson Station". To an outsider with no idea TJU exists they would merely connect the historical significance of Thomas Jefferson. Or perhaps George Jefferson?

That being said one word comes to mind when I hear one of our busiest stations being turned into "Verizon Station"......pathetic.

Can't wait until 30th Street becomes no named politician who never had a hand in transportation station.

Walnut/Locust - Santander Station

Girard - Dollar General Station

I'm with you on this. I think station names should be locational. It's transit!

[ScreamShatter]

http://www.salon.com/2014/08/31/america_...tm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Housing article with a chunk of focus on Philly's home ownership rate.

[Baconboy007]

Originally Posted by br323206

I was about to say the same thing. I visit Market East Station daily and have never once smelled urine. I think the "SEPTA smells like pee" meme has gotten to the point where people just keep saying it even though it hasn't been the truth in a long time. Have I occasionally smelled urine, or other unseemly smells, in the subway concourses? Yes. It'd be impossible not to have it occasionally smell bad. Is it often? Absolutely not. Have I ever smelled these smells in Suburban, Market East, or 30th Street? Absolutely not.

Also, I've encountered WAY worse smells in the NYC subways.

The pee smell is in the walkways along the El stations. Walk along them from 13th to Market East, it stinks. There are others that smell as well. I go through it just about everyday, it's not going to make me stop using it cause, you know, I live in a city and that's part of what comes with it. But it would be nice if they spruced them up a bit.

[Jawnadelphia]

Originally Posted by josef

Have they really announced openings for different parts of it? All I've heard is one date for it all. (I.E., http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thing...vents-with-opening-of-Dilworth-Park.html) Guess I wasn't paying close enough attention to other articles.

Also, dear god there's going to be a lot of events at this thing.

Yes, it won't be completed by Thursday, and this has been reported. I'm surprised the City didn't push back the opening ceremony, they even took out full cover page adds in the Metro today. I'm guessing it's 80% done right now. I'm also guessing that because they booked so many events for Sept. 2014 for the new "Dilworth Park" that Nutter and company decided to stick with this date (even though decent amt of work to be done). I apologize for any purple spots on pics ....damn iPhone 5 camera is f'ed.

[IMG]IMG_2801 by TallCoolOne2014, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_2796 by TallCoolOne2014, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_2798 by TallCoolOne2014, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_2802 by TallCoolOne2014, on Flickr[/IMG] ...blurry, things to read and what not installed.

[IMG]IMG_2799 by TallCoolOne2014, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_2797 by TallCoolOne2014, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_2804 by TallCoolOne2014, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Dean4983]

Great pics on all of the threads, TallCoolOne! Really appreciated.

[PhiLaw]

Originally Posted by ScreamShatter

http://www.salon.com/2014/08/31/america_...tm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Housing article with a chunk of focus on Philly's home ownership rate.

I don't understand why society has to keep relitigating issues that have time and again been as conclusive as a post-modern world will allow. Lower homeownership rates occasions disaster for working/middle/upper-middle class cities/towns. If you want to know why, research it.

Also, Salon fines the idea of private property repugnant. Hence the article's obvious slant. The rise in the rental rate should be a bridge toward rebuilding Philadelphia communities.

[1487]

Originally Posted by Baconboy007

The pee smell is in the walkways along the El stations. Walk along them from 13th to Market East, it stinks. There are others that smell as well. I go through it just about everyday, it's not going to make me stop using it cause, you know, I live in a city and that's part of what comes with it. But it would be nice if they spruced them up a bit.

There is no way to have no smell in those concourses 24/7 for obvious reasons. The concourses have been cleaned by the CCD for the last 6-7 years and they worked to eliminate urine smells and did a decent job. SEPTA now cleans the concourses and several mornings I have exited the subway to smell a fresh orange cleanser in the corridors around City Hall. As for the condition, SEPTA is now on the hook to rehab the concourses (since they finally have sufficient capital money) and plan to put $40M into the tunnels in future years. The City turned them over to SEPTA within recent months.

[1487]

Originally Posted by Johnland

I'm with you on this. I think station names should be locational. It's transit!

Money talks, this is America. As with stadiums, naming rights are now coming to transit. No one should be surprised by this movement towards commercial names.

[tsarstruck]

Don't want to re-argue the whole "should Conshy development be posted here," but this NYTimes article on Conshy's new developments has this claim:

For employers, rents in the new buildings will be in the mid-$30-per-square-foot range, a level that is comparable to that in central Philadelphia but that is significantly lower than city rates when taxes there are taken into account, said Mr. Mack, who represents tenants and brokers land sales in the Conshohocken area. He estimated that Philadelphia taxes add $10-15 per square foot to commercial rents there.

Can that possibly be true that Philly taxes add 40% to rents?