PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread II

[therealdawk]

I walked by Walnut Garden on Saturday and they just had a small sign on the main entrance door that said "Electrical Issues".
A little further down the fencing was a formal code violation sign, I assume from L&I, that I didn't read through.

As for Bankroll, I wanted that to work but I got nervous when Stephen Starr pulled out just before the opening. So much work went into renovating that spot. Hopefully something works out there.

[bonfire]

https://urbanengineers.com/projects/...-modifications

Nice to see some work to be done on Broad Street.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by bonfire

https://urbanengineers.com/projects/...-modifications

Nice to see some work to be done on Broad Street.

Finally!

The next step should be landscaping improvements from City Hall to South Street.

Street view from last fall, two oddly spaced little trees on the East side, bare median, and nothing on the West side for several blocks, except a few random planters. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9491...8192?entry=ttu

[Knight Hospitaller]

How 'bout some light poles?!

[mcgrath618]

Looks like Max Brenner’s is dead.

[New2Fishtown]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Finally!

The next step should be landscaping improvements from City Hall to South Street.

Street view from last fall, two oddly spaced little trees on the East side, bare median, and nothing on the West side for several blocks, except a few random planters. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9491...8192?entry=ttu

These already exist...? These got put in at least a couple years ago at this point. I do hope that they come up with funding to keep redoing intersections further and further south as time goes on.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by New2Fishtown

These already exist...? These got put in at least a couple years ago at this point. I do hope that they come up with funding to keep redoing intersections further and further south as time goes on.

The crosswalks? Well good, tell the OP too.

City Hall should be the starting point for these types of improvements and slowly move North & South until Girard & Washington.

[PHLJD13]

Originally Posted by New2Fishtown

These already exist...? These got put in at least a couple years ago at this point. I do hope that they come up with funding to keep redoing intersections further and further south as time goes on.

Correct! Those Broad Street intersection improvements were completed in 2018. They've held up fairly well thus far.

[Radio5]

Is there a reason there's not landscaping on the median or even on the sidewalks on broad street?

[Mtphilly]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Finally!

The next step should be landscaping improvements from City Hall to South Street.

Street view from last fall, two oddly spaced little trees on the East side, bare median, and nothing on the West side for several blocks, except a few random planters. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9491...8192?entry=ttu

Yes, this is my pet peeve and I feel like the number one easiest solution to improve the atmosphere in Center city. Broad Street is so barren and depressing, a few more planters and trees would completely change the vibe and it won’t cost the city a ton of money. It’s incomprehensible to me how little the city does to make small cosmetic changes to improve the pedestrian experience of its main tourist streets.

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by Radio5

Is there a reason there's not landscaping on the median or even on the sidewalks on broad street?

There are large planters on the sidewalk along south broad at various locations. Not sure who maintains them. CCD has placed large planters at various locations in center city, but I dont think Broad st is one of them.

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by Mtphilly

Yes, this is my pet peeve and I feel like the number one easiest solution to improve the atmosphere in Center city. Broad Street is so barren and depressing, a few more planters and trees would completely change the vibe and it won’t cost the city a ton of money. It’s incomprehensible to me how little the city does to make small cosmetic changes to improve the pedestrian experience of its main tourist streets.

It should be comprehensible, everything costs money. The city struggles to maintain fairmount park as it is- they need to get the basics under control before they expand their sphere of responsibility to things like cosmetic upgrades. The CCD is mostly responsible for the "extras" like that in center city. They have done park upgrades, planters, pedestrian lighting etc for years all over CC. I think Avenue of the Arts was responsible for most of the enhancements you see on south broad.

[TK2001]

2300 Market Street overbuild seems underway. There's structures that were on the east side of the roof, but are now gone. Along with construction fencing on the roof. Saw it on a video Parkway posted of 2222 Market on Instagram

[cardeza]

Behind paywall but this is about last $30m phase of the WFC renovation which will overhaul visiting team areas as well as press and player family areas. Also mentions a few more enhancements coming to the exterior. This definitely undermines the Sixers claims that they "need" a new stadium because WFC is obsolete and too cramped. Article also mentions Sixers contributed $10m towards home team locker room renovation project. I guess the sixers argument is that this will all be rundown and out of date in 8 years....

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...rena-400m.html

[thoughtcriminal]

Originally Posted by cardeza

Behind paywall but this is about last $30m phase of the WFC renovation which will overhaul visiting team areas as well as press and player family areas. Also mentions a few more enhancements coming to the exterior. This definitely undermines the Sixers claims that they "need" a new stadium because WFC is obsolete and too cramped. Article also mentions Sixers contributed $10m towards home team locker room renovation project. I guess the sixers argument is that this will all be rundown and out of date in 8 years....

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...rena-400m.html

I think the sixers' biggest issue is that they are tenants and not owners. Comcast has offered them an equity stake in the arena after their lease expires, but I think the Sixers just want to have complete control of their arena without any partners - especially a behemoth like Comcast.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by cardeza

It should be comprehensible, everything costs money. The city struggles to maintain fairmount park as it is- they need to get the basics under control before they expand their sphere of responsibility to things like cosmetic upgrades. The CCD is mostly responsible for the "extras" like that in center city. They have done park upgrades, planters, pedestrian lighting etc for years all over CC. I think Avenue of the Arts was responsible for most of the enhancements you see on south broad.

Park Avenue has a city/resident partnership for vegetation, decorations, and maintenance. Broad Street lacks big money residents, but it's an idea for the CCD to consider. Michigan Avenue may have a similar practice.

Anecdote... I see NYC trucks cleaning trash and watering the plants in the Park Ave median weekly, and the residents of Park Ave South paid an artist to display her interesting sculptures on the median edges for the summer from 34th-40th Street, they attract a ton of attention. Broad Street could replicate these ideas, but yes, it takes money, organization, and motivation, which is lacking...

But I still think reasonable cosmetic upgrades in the heart of Philadelphia are worthwhile investments. They improve the image and experience of the city for residents and visitors.

At least Cherelle Parker seems motivated to address obvious blight issues, a start.

[PHLtoNYC]

One of Penn's best new buildings taking shape...

Vagelos Laboratory Coming into Form Along Edge of Penn’s Campus
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/

[skyhigh07]

I really don’t think the south side of Broad St near City Hall is that bad. CCD already puts planters out and I’m not sure how much more they could reasonably do. I think the reason why it feels somewhat barren lately is the lack of retail. It used to feel more lively when Banana, Boarders, Ralph Lauren etc were there. Hopefully, Insomnia HQ will add some vitality when it opens.

[BroadandMarket]

Meanwhile in Chicago and New York...
This isn't just Michigan Ave and Park Ave., landscaped medians like this are everywhere. Wrought iron planter fences and street trees too. It's especially pathetic because Philly really only has a few roads that could even fit landscaped medians (Broad, Spring Garden, Columbus, Washington, Girard, 38th Street, JFK, Oregon). I've heard the city wants to keep Broad Street hardscaped for emergency vehicles which is such bullshit. They could obviously do small sections of raised median with spots to do a U turn. Beautification would go a long way, especially in winter. I get street trees are more problematic with the Broad Street Line.

[BroadandMarket]

Originally Posted by cardeza

Behind paywall but this is about last $30m phase of the WFC renovation which will overhaul visiting team areas as well as press and player family areas. Also mentions a few more enhancements coming to the exterior. This definitely undermines the Sixers claims that they "need" a new stadium because WFC is obsolete and too cramped. Article also mentions Sixers contributed $10m towards home team locker room renovation project. I guess the sixers argument is that this will all be rundown and out of date in 8 years....

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...rena-400m.html

76ers probably saw the new paint job and doubled down on their decision to leave haha. WFC went with the brilliant idea of painting everything gray including the red brick...it doesn't look terrible but it certainly looks worse. So far they haven't spent a dollar the terrible street appeal. Cracked sidewalks, empty tree pits, bad lighting etc. They did a good job inside on the renovations but the 76ers still want their own arena for $$$.