PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread II

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by TempleGuy1000

Philadelphia to get $158M federal grant for Chinatown Stitch Project construction

Looks like it's official. Pretty exciting. Construction set to start in 2027.

In 3 years?!

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by TempleGuy1000

Philadelphia to get $158M federal grant for Chinatown Stitch Project construction

Looks like it's official. Pretty exciting. Construction set to start in 2027.

The Chinatown Association must be livid over this. They never had a town hall or even a discussion with the residents to get approval. I mean...the gentrification that this will cause is ridiculous.

Cherelle better step in immediately. This is an outrage.

[begoonie]

So most likely the 76ers stadium will happen.

[BroadandMarket]

The Chinatown stitch is going to totally gentrify this area and they're going to blame the 76ers arena. Vine from 7th to 13th so has sooo many surface parking lots and underutilized space. Any update with the city getting control for the rest of the Rail Park from Reading?

[reparcsyks]

$160 million to cap two whole blocks?? Can anyone explain why we don't just cap the whole thing if it's this cheap? Truly seems like a no-brainer to gain all this land back.

[BroadandMarket]

Originally Posted by reparcsyks

$160 million to cap two whole blocks?? Can anyone explain why we don't just cap the whole thing if it's this cheap? Truly seems like a no-brainer to gain all this land back.

So the gap in the cap is because once you go over a certain length, it's considered a tunnel and needs to have ventilation which drives the price way up. It's why PennDot left a gap in front of the Free Library when they rebuilt all of those roads over 676 a few years ago. It's insane that Logan Square still has 2 gaps to 676. It's ugly and loud.

"The more feasible design would run 2 ½ blocks. But the other two would cap three full blocks, meeting the state’s definition of a tunnel. The designation would require more capital because crews would need to install additional infrastructure related to ventilation, fire suppression, and security."

https://whyy.org/articles/chinatown-...concept-phase/

[SEFTA]

Originally Posted by reparcsyks

$160 million to cap two whole blocks?? Can anyone explain why we don't just cap the whole thing if it's this cheap? Truly seems like a no-brainer to gain all this land back.

What I don't understand, why not just say it's "Phase I" or at least show an ambition to carry it farther? Imply a direction. There's a lot of smaller "green" infrastructure projects going on but not a part of a larger vision.
At least not on paper, that I've seen. there should be a Master Plan of Center City infrastructure projects. Does this exist?
Why so finite? It should always be, "AND THEN..."

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by reparcsyks

$160 million to cap two whole blocks?? Can anyone explain why we don't just cap the whole thing if it's this cheap? Truly seems like a no-brainer to gain all this land back.

$160m is probably not the entire cost, most grants require some local match. I'm sure the project will be more than the grant figure.

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by reparcsyks

$160 million to cap two whole blocks?? Can anyone explain why we don't just cap the whole thing if it's this cheap? Truly seems like a no-brainer to gain all this land back.

Wow $160mm is cheap? As far as I can tell, this job requires like 40 steel beams and some concrete...

In Europe/Asia you can get a full mile of underground electrified subway track built for that price...

Our stuff costs too much.

[PHLJD13]

Originally Posted by SEFTA

What I don't understand, why not just say it's "Phase I"

Because this is not "phase one", this is all there is - and it will still be a miracle if it starts timely and is completed as rendered. It would be disingenuous to imply more is to come at this point.

Over-promising is taken as gospel often on this board. Look at the Rail Park, who bit off more than they could chew, or the 30th Street Station District renderings, which a lot of people think are guaranteed plans, as opposed to conceptual proposals.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by Londonee

Wow $160mm is cheap? As far as I can tell, this job requires like 40 steel beams and some concrete...

In Europe/Asia you can get a full mile of underground electrified subway track built for that price...

Our stuff costs too much.

Do you have a source for that $160M for a mile of subway in Asia/Europe?

[SEFTA]

Originally Posted by PHLJD13

Because this is not "phase one", this is all there is - and it will still be a miracle if it starts timely and is completed as rendered. It would be disingenuous to imply more is to come at this point.

Over-promising is taken as gospel often on this board. Look at the Rail Park, who bit off more than they could chew, or the 30th Street Station District renderings, which a lot of people think are guaranteed plans, as opposed to conceptual proposals.

I think few on this board believe anyone was overpromising by giving a over ambitious vision that was clearly showing maximum density possible. Who in the world thought 30 St Plan was guaranteed? I never thought that.
It's all perception. Saying phase I is an innocent conclusion to what is possible. It implies perpetual growth and renewal. We don't know that's all there is. Think positive.
The Rail Park is not dead.

[arkitect13]

My one hope with this is that the gap isn't too loud. Ideally they could get coniferous trees and surround it to at least hide the gap from the ground and absorb some of the noise.

[Groundhog]

$100M development planned on Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia

The apartment building is planned for between 350 and 400 apartments.

In addition to apartments, Feibush is planning a second building with “several dozen” condominiums.

The anchor retailer would likely be a grocery store, but Feibush said he’s open to a different use.

Happy to see movement on this eyesore of a lot, but ANOTHER grocery store!? I don't think the neighborhood can sustain another one that close to Sprouts, Target, AND Giant.

Feibush anticipates receiving approvals in the first half of next year and beginning construction in the fourth quarter of 2025, “if things go reasonably well,” he said. Construction would likely take 22 to 24 months. Feibush acknowledged it’d be a long process with a lot of community discourse.

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...velopment.html

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

$100M development planned on Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia







Happy to see movement on this eyesore of a lot, but ANOTHER grocery store!? I don't think the neighborhood can sustain another one that close to Sprouts, Target, AND Giant.



https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...velopment.html

Where on Wash Ave is this?

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Where on Wash Ave is this?

1601 Washington Avenue. Northwest corner of 16th & Washington.

[Gatorade_Jim]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

$100M development planned on Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia







Happy to see movement on this eyesore of a lot, but ANOTHER grocery store!? I don't think the neighborhood can sustain another one that close to Sprouts, Target, AND Giant.



https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...velopment.html

It’s so funny to me that there’s 3 grocery stores at that corner but we can’t get one closer to 18th and Chestnut. I always have to walk over to the giant on 23rd. It’s not that far but still confusing to me that we can’t get something closer.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Gatorade_Jim

It’s so funny to me that there’s 3 grocery stores at that corner but we can’t get one closer to 18th and Chestnut. I always have to walk over to the giant on 23rd. It’s not that far but still confusing to me that we can’t get something closer.

You can’t be for real right? DiBruno Bros at 18th and Chestnut? Trader Joe’s at 22nd and Market? Trader Joe’s at Broad and Arch? Rittenhouse Market at 18th and Spruce? Food & Friends at 20th and Spruce?

Plenty of options within walking distance to 18th and Chestnut including one at your doorstep.

Plus, these larger chain stores usually require more square footage and onsite parking which a lot of buildings in Center City just cannot accommodate. I think something like an Hierloom by Giant though would do extremely well on West Market, Chestnut or Walnut if there was a space available.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by summersm343

You can’t be for real right? DiBruno Bros at 18th and Chestnut? Trader Joe’s at 22nd and Market? Trader Joe’s at Broad and Arch? Rittenhouse Market at 18th and Spruce? Food & Friends at 20th and Spruce?

Plenty of options within walking distance to 18th and Chestnut including one at your doorstep.

Plus, these larger chain stores usually require more square footage and onsite parking which a lot of buildings in Center City just cannot accommodate. I think something like an Hierloom by Giant though would do extremely well on West Market, Chestnut or Walnut if there was a space available.

Di Bruno is a pricey specialty market, Food & Friends is similar, though both are great. Trader Joes is fine, but still specific (Broad & Arch location is a schlep by foot from Rittenhouse).

I know the area is not a grocery desert, but I think Gatorade was referring to the convenience of a having a traditional larger-format decent priced supermarket (i.e., Giant) nearby.

Though I agree commercial spaces in Rittenhouse are not conducive for a full-size supermarket (and parking), and an Heirloom would be a great addition.

While I'm thinking about it, the Sunoco Station at 22nd & Walnut would be a good spot for a tower/grocery anchor, or if Parkway ever sold/developed their lot at 20th & Walnut.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Those in the food desert will find a food oasis along Washington Ave.