PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by Boku

Wolf relents on budget, ends historic impasse

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/201603...istoric_impasse.html#yiSvjorQsRJgvoTo.99

Let's get going, Dranoff.

Whew. I'll avoid getting too political, but it's about time he compromised after many chances. Politics is not an all or nothing sport unless its a matter of constitutional import.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Boku

Wolf relents on budget, ends historic impasse

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/201603...istoric_impasse.html#yiSvjorQsRJgvoTo.99

Let's get going, Dranoff.

About damn time! No more excuses for Dranoff now. SLS needs to start construction ASAP

[AbortedWalrus]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Whew. I'll avoid getting too political, but it's about time he compromised after many chances. Politics is not an all or nothing sport unless its a matter of constitutional import.

You do realize that the Pennsylvania state constitution says that the budget has to be balanced, and the the reason Wolf wouldn't sign this budget is because it runs a deficit and he wanted more revenue to prevent that for constitutional reasons? According to your definition this should have been all or nothing.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by AbortedWalrus

You do realize that the Pennsylvania state constitution says that the budget has to be balanced, and the the reason Wolf wouldn't sign this budget is because it runs a deficit and he wanted more revenue to prevent that for constitutional reasons? According to your definition this should have been all or nothing.

Which would explain why he was asking for more money for his pet projects and wouldn't settle when something less (but more than had ever been allocated before) was offered? For some folks the idea of difficult budget cuts instead of more revenue to cover more spending is too much of a leap, I guess. Let's call it a day, since I'm sure people don't want to see a political flame war here. I'm sure that we are all glad that SLS and the Gallery have had an obstacle removed.

[allovertown]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Which would explain why he was asking for more money for his pet projects and wouldn't settle when something less (but more than had ever been allocated before) was offered? For some folks the idea of difficult budget cuts instead of more revenue to cover more spending is too much of a leap, I guess. Let's call it a day, since I'm sure people don't want to see a political flame war here. I'm sure that we are all glad that SLS and the Gallery have had an obstacle removed.

Yea, I really don't think education is a pet project, as much as it is a basic necessity of life in the developed world. But how gracious of you to impart your own political views on the matter and then decide the political discussion is over with.

Whatever, it's done with and hopefully these projects can move on. People of all political stripes can enjoy 3 months without a budget impasse... until the next budget due.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by allovertown

Yea, I really don't think education is a pet project, as much as it is a basic necessity of life in the developed world. But how gracious of you to impart your own political views on the matter and then decide the political discussion is over with.

Whatever, it's done with and hopefully these projects can move on. People of all political stripes can enjoy 3 months without a budget impasse... until the next budget due.

I'm happy to continue the discussion elsewhere, if you like. I just don't want to bore other people with it. We both had our say. However, I will note that, as for education, my kids' school got bankrupted before Christmas and is in liquidation. I guess it was necessary to destroy it in order to save it. I agree that we're all happy to see it over with, but some things are dead and gone thanks to this.

[1487]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Which would explain why he was asking for more money for his pet projects and wouldn't settle when something less (but more than had ever been allocated before) was offered? For some folks the idea of difficult budget cuts instead of more revenue to cover more spending is too much of a leap, I guess. Let's call it a day, since I'm sure people don't want to see a political flame war here. I'm sure that we are all glad that SLS and the Gallery have had an obstacle removed.

We definitely don't- especially based on what you just wrote. Best to stop now....

[Cro Burnham]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

I'm happy to continue the discussion elsewhere, if you like. I just don't want to bore other people with it. We both had our say. However, I will note that, as for education, my kids' school got bankrupted before Christmas and is in liquidation. I guess it was necessary to destroy it in order to save it. I agree that we're all happy to see it over with, but some things are dead and gone thanks to this.

Personally, I blame it all on Schtrumpff, or whatever that jackass's name is.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

Personally, I blame it all on Schtrumpff, or whatever that jackass's name is.

They'll be plenty to blame him for if his run of luck continues.

[1487]

Originally Posted by allovertown

Yea, I really don't think education is a pet project, as much as it is a basic necessity of life in the developed world. But how gracious of you to impart your own political views on the matter and then decide the political discussion is over with.

Whatever, it's done with and hopefully these projects can move on. People of all political stripes can enjoy 3 months without a budget impasse... until the next budget due.

What I find amazing is that people think having a particular ideology can change the facts. You can have whatever perspective you want on what works or doesn't work, but it doesn't change reality. The statements made about the budget situation were based in delusion.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by 1487

What I find amazing is that people think having a particular ideology can change the facts. You can have whatever perspective you want on what works or doesn't work, but it doesn't change reality. The statements made about the budget situation were based in delusion.

I invite you to provide examples offline. Dismissing those with whom you disagree as "delusional" doesn't change facts either. Thanks.

[McBane]

I'll be relieved if Aramark remains in the city and spurs construction of another tower. BUT, once Aramark leaves Market East, what major employers can be found east of Broad? The Inquirer/Daily News? Yikes. I assume that Aramark is the major but not the sole tenant in the building. Hopefully they find another tenant. The worst thing that can happen is that a the office space is converted to another use. If anyone wants more than a 20 story 1919 Market type apartment building for 8th and Market, then East Market MUST remain a viable office district. Maybe KOZ???

[mmikeyphilly]

Originally Posted by McBane

I'll be relieved if Aramark remains in the city and spurs construction of another tower. BUT, once Aramark leaves Market East, what major employers can be found east of Broad? The Inquirer/Daily News? Yikes. I assume that Aramark is the major but not the sole tenant in the building. Hopefully they find another tenant. The worst thing that can happen is that a the office space is converted to another use. If anyone wants more than a 20 story 1919 Market type apartment building for 8th and Market, then East Market MUST remain a viable office district. Maybe KOZ???

There is another Employer, that I can think of:

http://foursquare.com/v/septa-headquarters/4b7ecf1ef964a5201d0130e3

I know Septa doesn't really come to mind to many people, since it is so close to City Hall. But, realistically Septa is a big part of Market East.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by mmikeyphilly

There is another Employer, that I can think of:

http://foursquare.com/v/septa-headquarters/4b7ecf1ef964a5201d0130e3

I know Septa doesn't really come to mind to many people, since it is so close to City Hall. But, realistically Septa is a big part of Market East.

Even Aramark is only a block beyond SEPTA. You tend to fall off the earth east of 11th. With BNY Mellon getting out of Lits, you'd be losing both corporate 'anchors' along the worst stretch (not to "dis" Health Partners and the newspapers).

[1487]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

I invite you to provide examples offline. Dismissing those with whom you disagree as "delusional" doesn't change facts either. Thanks.

I don't need to change the facts. They are evident in terms of which party refused to compromise and which party is totally ignoring mathematics. I don't give a damn if you like Wolf or hate him, but the facts of how everything broke down and who is capable of understanding the underlying faults in PA's current budgeting strategy are clear. All the evidence that is needed is that there was nearly an agreement in which everyone would've gotten something but it fell apart because the PA GOP leadership basically has minimal ability to get it's membership in line. The status quo failure budget only appeared AFTER the real budget compromise collapsed. Even the people pushing the status quo budget weren't claiming it solved anything- they argued "it's the best we can do and everyone is tired so he should sign it and free up money for schools". Hardly a ringing endorsement of a strong budget bill. As for lower taxes, in case you missed it local taxes in PA have been going up in reaction to lack of revenue from the state over the last 4-5 years so taxes haven't gone down or even remained the same- the tax burden just shifted. So all the heroes in Harrisburg who claim they have been working hard to save taxpayers precious dollars are full of it- they didn't ask for any more taxes (and granted some business tax breaks) while local governments and school districts raised taxes to compensate.

[1487]

Originally Posted by McBane

I'll be relieved if Aramark remains in the city and spurs construction of another tower. BUT, once Aramark leaves Market East, what major employers can be found east of Broad? The Inquirer/Daily News? Yikes. I assume that Aramark is the major but not the sole tenant in the building. Hopefully they find another tenant. The worst thing that can happen is that a the office space is converted to another use. If anyone wants more than a 20 story 1919 Market type apartment building for 8th and Market, then East Market MUST remain a viable office district. Maybe KOZ???

Aramark is not sole tenant. And SEPTA isn't sole tenant of 1234 market street. ME was never a locus of dense office employment. There still a lot of jobs east of City hall though, saying you are only looking for major employers is a bit different. Philly doesn't have a ton of those period anymore.

[mmikeyphilly]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Even Aramark is only a block beyond SEPTA. You tend to fall off the earth east of 11th. With BNY Mellon getting out of Lits, you'd be losing both corporate 'anchors' along the worst stretch (not to "dis" Health Partners and the newspapers).

I miss Strawbridge's Department Store, personally. John Wanamaker too. AND
Yeah, it makes you think about "does this have anything to do with taxes?"
Not only City wage tax, but Capital Gains and Interest taxes that the City taxes an individual. It sucks. But, then again, the City always cries "broke". If the City got after people NOT paying their fair share of Real Estates taxes, and the Bureau of Water Revenue letting quite a few people getting away with YEARS of multiple THOUSANDS of dollars that is past due, maybe the City would have money enough, that they wouldn't need to depend on the State, as much as they ask anyway.
Sorry for getting off topic, but I just needed to get that off my chest.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by 1487

I don't need to change the facts...

Nor do we need to take up more forum space. Like I said, PM me if my opinion interests you.

[EastSideHBG]

Blatstein adds open-air steps to development plan at Broad and Washington
Updated: MARCH 23, 2016 — 4:47 PM EDT
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/re..._and_Washington.html#URdbX6at4IXZb0QP.99


Centre Square office complex is on the market
Updated: MARCH 22, 2016 — 3:47 PM EDT
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/re...s_on_the_market.html#jpmsy2kcO2tkIBrS.99

[hammersklavier]

Meh we've let politics discussions run longer in this thread before. As long as people can stay civilized youse guys can kvetch all you want.