PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX - Page 786

summersm343 · #**15701** Posted **Sep 22, 2017, 5:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyers2001

Your take on Bensalem is cruel and idiotic. Bensalem it was it is. Its a Dense Suburb made up of many close neighboring area's. Its basically an extension of the Far Northeast, but it offers a different living type than those that want to live in the city. Does Bensalem has a shot at Amazon, absolutely not, but for you to ridicule the entire area for that is snobbish.

I assume you live there

If that is the case, you should reach out to your reps in Bensalem and tell them to cut it out.

Bensalem "is what it is" indeed. There is nothing wrong with that, I have nothing against that, and grew up very close to Bensalem. My best friend and his fiance also just bought a house in Bensalem....

...but COME ON. In the context of HQ2, for Bensalem to think it has any shot at this is ridiculous and idiotic. It offers literally nothing that Amazon is looking for. It's only going to succeed at lessening the chances of Philadelphia getting Amazon HQ2, and in turn, hurt the region, and hurt Bensalem, by not working together to bring more jobs to the region for everybody.

City Wide · #**15702** Posted **Sep 22, 2017, 6:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

As annoying as three bids are from Philly, Camden, and Wilmington, at least they have the excuse of coming from three different states (maybe they can just bundle the three proposals with one rubber band if they can't work magic in the near term). Bensalem is outrageous. Wolf needs to squash anything in this state that is not coordinated with Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. In any event, I think they will look as foolish to Amazon as they do to us and will hopefully be ignored. Sometimes you just can't keep a deluded mutt from crashing the Kennel Club.

Although I think its foolish to think that Camden or Wilmington have a chance to win Amazon's hand in marriage as it's second bride, the fact that they are in separate States will allow them to offer different types of bribes from what Philly will put together.
My guess is that most if not all the top 50 cities in the country will put together some type of proposal. I find it doubtful that more then 10 of those actually think they might "win". But at this point in time its a feeding frenzy so places like Toledo Ohio probably think they have to throw something in the pile just to keep up with the Jones', "if Cleveland thinks they have a chance to get Amazon, then so do we".
Places like Bensalem are just looking to get their name out there, get some free press. Maybe ABC paper products is looking for a new home and have never heard of Bensalem.

Amazon had to have some idea of what type of situation they were creating by opening this process to one and all

Capsule F · #**15703** Posted **Sep 22, 2017, 10:03 PM**

The only silver lining here is that I'm sure every metro area is experiencing this type of local competition, Philly is far from alone.

hammersklavier · #**15704** Posted **Sep 22, 2017, 10:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbrook

What do you mean by development sites atop 95? Do you mean further capping of I-95 adjacent to the Park Cap on which buildings are placed? Like Hudson Yards?

Yup. It's extremely expensive and should only be looked at for the long term (i.e. once the easier parcels are all filled), but keep in mind a significant part of the Back Bay is built over I-90.

acenturi · #**15705** Posted **Sep 23, 2017, 2:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Amazon + Philly: It's just good business for both

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/amazon-philly-its-just-good-business-for-both-20170922.html

I think it's relevant that the author of this article is not just an Inqy reporter, he's the Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics.

jsbrook · #**15706** Posted **Sep 23, 2017, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

Yup. It's extremely expensive and should only be looked at for the long term (i.e. once the easier parcels are all filled), but keep in mind a significant part of the Back Bay is built over I-90.

Agree.

Kidphilly · #**15707** Posted **Sep 23, 2017, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Wegman's doesn't have any urban locations of which I'm aware and they seem set on their current big box floor plan. They require TONS of parking (my suburb lost a shot at Wegman's for not having enough on the proposed site). I agree that a TJ relocation might make sense, or we'll see some other discount or average mainstream chain step in. The location is "God forsaken" for this part of CC, so I don't see anything but a food store going here. With no connection to the trail and too far off the beaten track, I don't see a "destination" restaurant going here.

Actually they have one and a second coming to Boston

I actually about a year ago was in Logan waiting on a flight and ended up next to two real estate guys for Wegmans. They are looking for urban locations and Philly was on their list.

They actually looked at the Broad and Wash site (blatts) but at the time said nay. Though did say they would not be surprised to see wegmans in an urban form before to long in Philly but who knows

I am not sure of the lease situation for TJs there but maybe this would be a better location and larger if they wanted to move a few blocks. As far as wegmans not sure on the sq footage at the 23rd street site but anything is possible. I still think the Broad and Washington lot might be a better fit for a wegmans but sprouts is going I across the street

I do like Wegmans as it has a lot for good prices, different than a WFs, TJs or acme as it has aspects of all three

City Wide · #**15708** Posted **Sep 25, 2017, 1:17 PM**

One more take on the state of the State's budget and how it might impact any cities quest for the Amazon prize.

http://cumberlink.com/news/local/govt-an...3dee80c-82f9-5de5-831c-313fb3a537ed.html

Boku · #**15709** Posted **Sep 25, 2017, 1:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by City Wide

One more take on the state of the State's budget and how it might impact any cities quest for the Amazon prize.

http://cumberlink.com/news/local/govt-an...3dee80c-82f9-5de5-831c-313fb3a537ed.html

You could argue that Illinois is in a worse position than Pennsylvania from a budget standpoint but no one is really discounting Chicago and their chances because of it.

Edited to add: I think we sometimes forget that other cities run into the same obstacles we do (I'm guilty of that as well). Case in point: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...6804c2_story.html?utm_term=.c047df85d46e

summersm343 · #**15710** Posted **Sep 25, 2017, 2:05 PM**

Some of you guys keep pointing to PA's poor fiscal climate as a reason Amazon won't locate here.... I have to disagree.

PA has already handed Amazon tax breaks and incentives for distribution centers and warehouses in the state, so why not for this?

Also, a site like Schuylkill Yards is the perfect set up, regardless of the states fiscal climate. Schuylkill Yards is a Keystone Opportunity Zone, which means it already offers tax breaks at the city and state level - pretty significant tax breaks too.

Schuylkill Yards is also in a Federal Promise Zone, thanks to Obama, that gives companies federal tax breaks for locating within that zone.

City Wide · #**15711** Posted **Sep 25, 2017, 3:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boku

You could argue that Illinois is in a worse position than Pennsylvania from a budget standpoint but no one is really discounting Chicago and their chances because of it.

Edited to add: I think we sometimes forget that other cities run into the same obstacles we do (I'm guilty of that as well).

I totally agree. The link I posted was for informational reasons only, not to express a certain opinion

Flyers2001 · #**15712** Posted **Sep 25, 2017, 4:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

I assume you live there

If that is the case, you should reach out to your reps in Bensalem and tell them to cut it out.

Bensalem "is what it is" indeed. There is nothing wrong with that, I have nothing against that, and grew up very close to Bensalem. My best friend and his fiance also just bought a house in Bensalem....

...but COME ON. In the context of HQ2, for Bensalem to think it has any shot at this is ridiculous and idiotic. It offers literally nothing that Amazon is looking for. It's only going to succeed at lessening the chances of Philadelphia getting Amazon HQ2, and in turn, hurt the region, and hurt Bensalem, by not working together to bring more jobs to the region for everybody.

No, I don't live there. I just believe your response to their "plans" was over the top.

I also think its ridiculous to think their plans or Camden's plans or anyone else in the surrounding suburbs plays a role in Philly's submission Amazon's thinking is ridiculous as well. If those submissions make it past the "intern gatekeeper" they would do nothing but reinforce the idea that the immediate Philly region has the resources to pull off what Amazon is looking for.

I like many want to believe that this is really about Amazon looking for a second home, but I think its a ploy to drive a better deal at the location they already have chosen.

1487 · #**15713** Posted **Sep 25, 2017, 4:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Some of you guys keep pointing to PA's poor fiscal climate as a reason Amazon won't locate here.... I have to disagree.

PA has already handed Amazon tax breaks and incentives for distribution centers and warehouses in the state, so why not for this?

Also, a site like Schuylkill Yards is the perfect set up, regardless of the states fiscal climate. Schuylkill Yards is a Keystone Opportunity Zone, which means it already offers tax breaks at the city and state level - pretty significant tax breaks too.

Schuylkill Yards is also in a Federal Promise Zone, thanks to Obama, that gives companies federal tax breaks for locating within that zone.

I'm pretty sure the promise zone didn't come with any specific incentives for companies. It was actually pretty light on actual spending or tangible incentives- it was more of a focusing of existing resources into select areas of concentrated poverty.

MyDadBuiltThat · #**15714** Posted **Sep 25, 2017, 5:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

I'm pretty sure the promise zone didn't come with any specific incentives for companies. It was actually pretty light on actual spending or tangible incentives- it was more of a focusing of existing resources into select areas of concentrated poverty.

Your post made me curious about what a Promise Zone meant. You are correct. From HUD: "For the communities selected, the federal government will partner to help the Promise Zones access resources and expertise to help communities thrive." Congress can put tax incentives in place if they wish. Don't think that's gonna happen.

summersm343 · #**15715** Posted **Sep 26, 2017, 12:13 AM**

Is Philly's public transit ready for Amazon's new headquarters?

Read more here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/tr...or-amazon-hq2-septa-amtrak-20170925.html

3rd&Brown · #**15716** Posted **Sep 26, 2017, 1:21 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Is Philly's public transit ready for Amazon's new headquarters?

Read more here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/tr...or-amazon-hq2-septa-amtrak-20170925.html

Moreso than Austin. That's for damn sure.

christof · #**15717** Posted **Sep 26, 2017, 1:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

Moreso than Austin. That's for damn sure.

Don't worry about Austin. Worry about Dallas and Atlanta.

Nova08 · #**15718** Posted **Sep 26, 2017, 2:14 AM**

Aside from the obvious NYC, Chicago and Boston are probably the only other cities in the US with more of a robust public transit system than Philly. Philly definitely does not have to worry about checking the public transit box.

Skyscraper.Phanatic · #**15719** Posted **Sep 26, 2017, 2:36 AM**

I was told by someone from Boston that they have a very small subway system compared to The El and BSL subway here in Philly and Beantown is just too expensive too live. Am I wrong?

Mr Saturn64 · #**15720** Posted **Sep 26, 2017, 2:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova08

Aside from the obvious NYC, Chicago and Boston are probably the only other cities in the US with more of a robust public transit system than Philly. Philly definitely does not have to worry about checking the public transit box.

I might argue that Washington has a better system than Philly, just because of how good the Metro is. My own experiences on it (granted, it has been a while since I rode it) were very good, although my aunt who lives in Arlington says it's horrendous.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyscraper.Phanatic

I was told by someone from Boston that they have a very small subway system compared to The El and BSL subway here in Philly and Beantown is just too expensive too live. Am I wrong?

You're kind of wrong. The Boston T is frickin' enormous. They have subways connecting all over the city rather than just two lines, and commuter train lines to the suburbs. Boston is really damn expensive though, and that's it's biggest detracting element.