PHILADELPHIA-CAMDEN-WILMINGTON-ATLANTIC CITY-READING | Metro Development Thread

[PHLtoNYC]

Great to see towns around the region embrace this idea.

These Philly suburbs started closing their streets on weekends during the pandemic, and they might never stop

https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvan...mic-businesses-restaurants-20220711.html

[700 Level]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Great to see towns around the region embrace this idea.

These Philly suburbs started closing their streets on weekends during the pandemic, and they might never stop

https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvan...mic-businesses-restaurants-20220711.html

Media, West Chester, Phoenixville - outstanding!

Isn’t it amazing how we love to vacation in pedestrian friendly towns and cities? And we absolutely love our streeteries, and we love it when we convert streets to pure pedestrian experiences? But then some strange programming in our DNA kicks in, and it leads to cul-de-sacs and strip malls for everyday life?

On the bright side, and I have no facts or figures to back this up, I think areas that reasonably qualify as “15-minute cities” (all needed amenities easily reachable without an auto within 15 minutes) have appreciated in recent years faster than non qualifying areas. This is a sign that more people are recognizing the value and increasing demand. Again, just a gut feel and not based on actual numbers.

[Urbanthusiat]

Montgomery County records 'banner' year of non-residential construction as new housing development lags

[Urbanthusiat]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Great to see towns around the region embrace this idea.

These Philly suburbs started closing their streets on weekends during the pandemic, and they might never stop

https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvan...mic-businesses-restaurants-20220711.html

Was in Phoenixville over the weekend, it was very crowded. Loved Bridge street being closed down. There's still a ton of construction happening. The steelpointe development is massive and those for-sale townhomes (310 units total planned) are almost entirely sold out already with more on the way. The multifamily piece with another 240 units (apparently called "The Phoenix") just started construction too. Capano has a second project on the other side of Phoenixville called "The Reserve on Forge" with 108 units that's also under construction. There's also "The Lofts at Church" with 68 units which is also under construction. Another big project called Luxor Phoenixville with 205 units just delivered, and I saw a sign up for demolition and financing from Phoenixville Federal Bank for Steelworks which would add another 375 units and a big chunk of retail. So that's another (checks notes) 1,306 units added from just those projects alone - and there are others planned and smaller ones I didn't even mention.

[PHLtoNYC]

^ Yes, Phoenixville is on fire.

Media has added a few project in the borough recently, but I hope another mid-size project comes along soon, as there is a lot of demand to live in these desirable towns. I noticed quite a few teardowns though on my recent visit to Media.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by 700 Level

Media, West Chester, Phoenixville - outstanding!

Isn’t it amazing how we love to vacation in pedestrian friendly towns and cities? And we absolutely love our streeteries, and we love it when we convert streets to pure pedestrian experiences? But then some strange programming in our DNA kicks in, and it leads to cul-de-sacs and strip malls for everyday life?

On the bright side, and I have no facts or figures to back this up, I think areas that reasonably qualify as “15-minute cities” (all needed amenities easily reachable without an auto within 15 minutes) have appreciated in recent years faster than non qualifying areas. This is a sign that more people are recognizing the value and increasing demand. Again, just a gut feel and not based on actual numbers.

Another plus of pushing density in these towns is not having to worry about drinking and driving. I love me a glass or 2 or 3 of wine at dinner.

[Urbanthusiat]

Feds tapped for $30M to extend Keystone Boulevard in Pottstown

[summersm343]

Baking products maker pays $14.6M for newly developed Burlington building

Novacart Inc., a designer and manufacturer of paper products used in the baking industry, has paid $14.6 million, or $205 a square foot, for a newly developed industrial building in Burlington, New Jersey.

The 71,280-square-foot building on 5.7 acres at 2001 Route 130 was built on speculation along a highly desirable industrial corridor that is just off Exit 6A of the New Jersey Turnpike.

Novacart, which is an Italian company, has its U.S. base in Richmond, California, and a production facility in Moorestown, New Jersey. It makes a variety of products including baking cups and molds.

Article behind paywall here:
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...-buys-building-in-burlington-for-14.html

[Skintreesnail]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Another plus of pushing density in these towns is not having to worry about drinking and driving. I love me a glass or 2 or 3 of wine at dinner.

totally, I'm in western NY now visiting and can't imagine moving to a place where I can't walk to have a drink now and then. I get the impression so many people here drink and drive. There are absolutely some great walkable cities and towns (downtown buffalo is a lot nicer than what I remember growing up), but even then everyone seems to just default to driving everywhere.

Media, Phoenixville and West Chester are among my favorite suburbs, so I'm happy they are focusing on staying pedestrian friendly. Phoenixville specifically seems to be growing a ton. I really hope they get their rail extension.

[PhilliesPhan]

Originally Posted by 700 Level

Media, West Chester, Phoenixville - outstanding!

Isn’t it amazing how we love to vacation in pedestrian friendly towns and cities? And we absolutely love our streeteries, and we love it when we convert streets to pure pedestrian experiences? But then some strange programming in our DNA kicks in, and it leads to cul-de-sacs and strip malls for everyday life?

I'm convinced that a good portion of suburban dwellers don't actually want to live in the suburbs. Auto-centric suburbs are only "good" for schools, "safety" (debatable), additional space, and a quieter lifestyle. Many of the people I've spoken to who've moved to the suburbs have seemed to do so begrudgingly, only making the move due to the factors above. They may live out in the suburbs, but they constantly make their way back to the city to engage in the culture, food, entertainment, and other activities that they once enjoyed. This is why I believe that the city will truly hit a population growth stride if violent crime decreased and more was done to beautify the neighborhoods.

Some people legitimately hate the city/cities in general and want nothing to do with it/them, but, IMO, auto-centric suburbs offer the worst of both worlds: the traffic of the city without the legitimate space that more exurban and rural areas have to offer.

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Another plus of pushing density in these towns is not having to worry about drinking and driving. I love me a glass or 2 or 3 of wine at dinner.

That is one big reason why I prefer to live in the city and visit dense suburbs connected by Regional Rail and PATCO. I'm very much into craft beer, so much so that I ran from Norristown to Phoenixville to get some exercise in and visit a few breweries about two weeks ago. I can't even begin to tell you how convenient and inexpensive it is to be able to take the train, hit the trail directly next to the station, arrive in a walkable downtown area, down a few beers, and be able to arrive back in the city without ever having to step foot in a car!

This is also why I love doing Regional Rail craft beer tours and taking PATCO to Haddonfield (King's Road Brewing Company)!

[DeltaNerd]

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan

That is one big reason why I prefer to live in the city and visit dense suburbs connected by Regional Rail and PATCO. I'm very much into craft beer, so much so that I ran from Norristown to Phoenixville to get some exercise in and visit a few breweries about two weeks ago. I can't even begin to tell you how convenient and inexpensive it is to be able to take the train, hit the trail directly next to the station, arrive in a walkable downtown area, down a few beers, and be able to arrive back in the city without ever having to step foot in a car!

This is also why I love doing Regional Rail craft beer tours and taking PATCO to Haddonfield (King's Road Brewing Company)!

That would be cool to have a group travel on transit to grab some craft beer around the region.

[Urbanthusiat]

Interesting read.

Philly’s suburban municipalities embrace electric vehicle revolution with open arms

[Urbanthusiat]

‘Return on Environment’ study examines 46,000 acres of open space in Montgomery County

[Urbanthusiat]

Doylestown’s latest apartment complex unveiled

Next year, Doylestown will be seeing another new residential development. This one, at 263 N. Main St., will feature 59 apartments

[Frontst17]

Back in the day we didn’t go downtown Pville after a certain time and never the north side. It’s extremely fitting of its namesake the Phoenix and the train would complete its comeback

[gjrip]

^that looks fantastic. Doylestown is a lovely place.

[Urbanthusiat]

Revitalization on track: Coatesville’s latest development plan announced

COATESVILLE — The latest deal in a string of development projects underway in the City of Coatesville was announced on April 29, 2022. Located on the corner of Third Avenue and Lincoln Highway in the historic downtown district, one of the City’s most prized locations was acquired by Proudfoot Capital from the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority (RDA).

Proudfoot Capital plans to build a four-story, 32,000 sq. ft. office building and retail complex, ...

[Urbanthusiat]

Development plan for old Brandywine Country Club approved, but battle looms over proposed early education center

[Urbanthusiat]

Proposed $480M N.J. youth-soccer development complex still ‘on track’

[Urbanthusiat]

Proposed For Camden’s Former Ferry Plaza: A 3-Story Building With Virtua Medical Facility & 47 Senior Affordable Rental Units; Demo Approval Also Sought