PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[iheartphilly]

This can't be good for Amazon HQ2:

Amtrak resumes search for 30th St. development overseer with focus on shops, restaurants at station

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/re...-station-shops-restaurants-20180521.html

[Urbanthusiat]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

This can't be good for Amazon HQ2:

Amtrak resumes search for 30th St. development overseer with focus on shops, restaurants at station

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/re...-station-shops-restaurants-20180521.html

I wouldn’t necessarily say that. I see them opening up 100k square feet of office in the station and the intensification of retail as a good sign. For all we know, Amazon said “yes this looks good please get started ASAP.” I see this as neutral news, though perhaps a sign that Amazon is nearing a decision, whether it be us or not.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

This can't be good for Amazon HQ2:

Amtrak resumes search for 30th St. development overseer with focus on shops, restaurants at station

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/re...-station-shops-restaurants-20180521.html

Did you read the article? According to the article, this renewed effort is aimed just at revamping the station itself, and is distinct from any HQ2 development:

The request does not entail any work on new development sites surrounding the station, partly to leave Amtrak’s options open in case Amazon selects sites in University City for its HQ2 project, Toll said.

In its pitch to Amazon last year, Philadelphia officials highlighted the availability of Amtrak’s property as a supplement to the area’s other development sites.

“Should Amazon select University City as the location of its second corporate headquarters, there is an additional 58 acres of adjacent Amtrak property north of the station for potential air rights development,” Toll said.

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

Did you read the article? According to the article, this renewed effort is aimed just at revamping the station itself, and is distinct from any HQ2 development:

Basically trying to replicate the success they've had with modernizing and retailing Union Station in D.C.

[mcgrath618]

That will not have any affect other than positive on HQ2

[City Wide]

Originally Posted by Urbanthusiat

I wouldn’t necessarily say that. I see them opening up 100k square feet of office in the station and the intensification of retail as a good sign. For all we know, Amazon said “yes this looks good please get started ASAP.” I see this as neutral news, though perhaps a sign that Amazon is nearing a decision, whether it be us or not.

If this was an announcement that work on improving the Station proper and renovating the office space was soon to start, I would be excited. But this is just another possible step in the direction of maybe doing something at some point in the future. I don't sense any urgency in Amtrak.

I wish that Amtrak looked after their passengers as their basic function, and stopped looking at them as cows to be milked at every possible turn. IMO getting better and faster and underground connections to SEPTA should be at the top of the list, and not pushed off to a unknown future.

Also the idea of the Station as a destination in and of itself seems misdirected to me. What are they going to do, bring back the north end bowling alley, turn the central atrium into a movie theater? Until there are more passengers or people working in or very close by, how many more sandwich shops can the station support?

[TechTalkGuy]

I feel that Amtrak is doing the right thing.
Begin development of the core station, realign the retail & dining options, provide direct subway access and not worry about Amazon.

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

Did you read the article? According to the article, this renewed effort is aimed just at revamping the station itself, and is distinct from any HQ2 development:

Didn't have to. Knew previously Amtrak stopped looking for a master developer for 30th when Amazon was in the search. Amtrak wanted to give Amazon first dibs on what they wanted in the plan. So, when I saw the title of the article, I knew/postulated that either (1) Amazon didn't pick the development of 30th station and Amtrak was left to move forward on their search again, or (2) Amtrak has inside info that Amazon HQ2 was going to a different site.

Bottom line, it doesn't mean Philly is out of the running. We have SY or Navy Yard as the other possible sites.

[TechTalkGuy]

I’m not holding my breath.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Didn't have to. Knew previously Amtrak stopped looking for a master developer for 30th when Amazon was in the search. Amtrak wanted to give Amazon first dibs on what they wanted in the plan. So, when I saw the title of the article, I knew/postulated that either (1) Amazon didn't pick the development of 30th station and Amtrak was left to move forward on their search again, or (2) Amtrak has inside info that Amazon HQ2 was going to a different site.

Bottom line, it doesn't mean Philly is out of the running. We have SY or Navy Yard as the other possible sites.

The Amtrak property was never pitched by the city to Amazon as a primary site for HQ2. But it's been viewed as a plus for potential additional space or long-term growth. And as the article makes clear, that hasn't changed in anyone's mind, including Amtrak's, as indicated in the language I already quoted:

"The request does not entail any work on new development sites surrounding the station, partly to leave Amtrak’s options open in case Amazon selects sites in University City for its HQ2 project, Toll said.

"In its pitch to Amazon last year, Philadelphia officials highlighted the availability of Amtrak’s property as a supplement to the area’s other development sites.

“'Should Amazon select University City as the location of its second corporate headquarters, there is an additional 58 acres of adjacent Amtrak property north of the station for potential air rights development,' Toll said."

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

The Amtrak property was never pitched by the city to Amazon as a primary site for HQ2. But it's been viewed as a plus for potential additional space or long-term growth. And as the article makes clear, that hasn't changed in anyone's mind, including Amtrak's, as indicated in the language I already quoted:

"The request does not entail any work on new development sites surrounding the station, partly to leave Amtrak’s options open in case Amazon selects sites in University City for its HQ2 project, Toll said.

"In its pitch to Amazon last year, Philadelphia officials highlighted the availability of Amtrak’s property as a supplement to the area’s other development sites.

“'Should Amazon select University City as the location of its second corporate headquarters, there is an additional 58 acres of adjacent Amtrak property north of the station for potential air rights development,' Toll said."

Agreed with the quotes. I think it was a very long view on what they wanted to do with the additional 58 acres adjacent to 30th street station. And, kind of a courtesy to Brandywine and Drexel in case Amazon had any interest in branching over to the 30th street station development so that one developer can accomplish one vision for Amazon as oppose to two separate developers competing with opposing visions. All speculation of course. And, the possibility is numerous, but I'm trying to read between the lines. 50k workers can net you quite a number of buildings, design plans, inter-connectivity, urban campus feel, etc. Think big is what these guys were doing, but it if doesn't materialize, then it was an exercise in futility.

[eixample]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

"The request does not entail any work on new development sites surrounding the station, partly to leave Amtrak’s options open in case Amazon selects sites in University City for its HQ2 project, Toll said.

...

“'Should Amazon select University City as the location of its second corporate headquarters, there is an additional 58 acres of adjacent Amtrak property north of the station for potential air rights development,' Toll said."

I keep reading these quotes and shuddering, thinking that Toll Brothers was somehow roped into the redevelopment of 30th Street Station. Thankfully it's just some person with the last name Toll!

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by eixample

I keep reading these quotes and shuddering, thinking that Toll Brothers was somehow roped into the redevelopment of 30th Street Station. Thankfully it's just some person with the last name Toll!

And definitely not one of the "Brothers"--her first name is Beth.

[Boku]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Didn't have to. Knew previously Amtrak stopped looking for a master developer for 30th when Amazon was in the search. Amtrak wanted to give Amazon first dibs on what they wanted in the plan. So, when I saw the title of the article, I knew/postulated that either (1) Amazon didn't pick the development of 30th station and Amtrak was left to move forward on their search again, or (2) Amtrak has inside info that Amazon HQ2 was going to a different site.

Bottom line, it doesn't mean Philly is out of the running. We have SY or Navy Yard as the other possible sites.

So, you didn't read the article and you don't know what sites were actually offered for HQ2. Other than that, great stuff here.

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by Boku

So, you didn't read the article and you don't know what sites were actually offered for HQ2. Other than that, great stuff here.

Did you? I do know which sites were offered for HQ2, smart —! Don't bother to think outside of the box, just recount what you read and accept it, right?

[Boku]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Did you? I do know which sites were offered for HQ2, smart —! Don't bother to think outside of the box, just recount what you read and accept it, right?

"Amazon didn't pick the development of 30th station"

Why would they? It was never offered. The sites are Schuylkill Yards, the Navy Yard, and uCity Square. Maybe this will help: https://public.philadelphiadelivers.com/sites

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by Boku

"Amazon didn't pick the development of 30th station"

Why would they? It was never offered. The sites are Schuylkill Yards, the Navy Yard, and uCity Square. Maybe this will help: https://public.philadelphiadelivers.com/sites

Never said they picked 30th St. Station. See my post #17638 where I mentioned Schykill Yards (SY) and Navy Yards as sites offered to Amazon. Should Amazon pick uCity Square or SY, Amtrak was getting ahead of itself and putting it on the table that they have acreage for development in the long term since it's in the vicinity of the uCity and SY. That's all, no official visit to 30th st. site from Amazon officials.

[Boku]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Never said they picked 30th St. Station. See my post #17638 where I mentioned Schykill Yards (SY) and Navy Yards as sites offered to Amazon. Should Amazon pick uCity Square or SY, Amtrak was getting ahead of itself and putting it on the table that they have acreage for development in the long term since it's in the vicinity of the uCity and SY. That's all, no official visit to 30th st. site from Amazon officials.

Hold up.

This is you: "when I saw the title of the article, I knew/postulated that either (1) Amazon didn't pick the development of 30th station and Amtrak was left to move forward on their search again, or (2) Amtrak has inside info that Amazon HQ2 was going to a different site.

Bottom line, it doesn't mean Philly is out of the running. We have SY or Navy Yard as the other possible sites."

You're not saying that it was offered up as a possible site for Amazon? Ok.

Whatever, the entire 30th Street District plan is dependent upon the success of Schuylkill Yards and a fickle Congress. Of course it's a dream, but it's a dream based in reality. I'm really not sure why everyone is poo pooing it all of a sudden. The plan is great. It's forward thinking. It literally won an award. I encourage everyone to read it if you haven't. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5...lan+Final+Report_June2016_8.5x11_web.pdf

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by Boku

Hold up.

This is you: "when I saw the title of the article, I knew/postulated that either (1) Amazon didn't pick the development of 30th station and Amtrak was left to move forward on their search again, or (2) Amtrak has inside info that Amazon HQ2 was going to a different site.

Bottom line, it doesn't mean Philly is out of the running. We have SY or Navy Yard as the other possible sites."

You're not saying that it was offered up as a possible site for Amazon? Ok.

Whatever, the entire 30th Street District plan is dependent upon the success of Schuylkill Yards and a fickle Congress. Of course it's a dream, but it's a dream based in reality. I'm really not sure why everyone is poo pooing it all of a sudden. The plan is great. It's forward thinking. It literally won an award. I encourage everyone to read it if you haven't. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5...lan+Final+Report_June2016_8.5x11_web.pdf

See link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/philly-amazon-hq2-bid-dangled-124651570.html

When the bid becomes public, we should be able to see the full picture of the bid for the 3 sites.

[Boku]

Edit: I just looked at the redacted bid. I wasn't aware they were offering land to develop around the station; I had assumed it was just office space within the building. I guess that changes my thought process a bit.