PHILADELPHIA | 30th Street Station District | 1,200 FT - 180 FT | 85 - 12 FLOORS

[Redddog]

Really excited for the 30th st station project. It's such a shame that such a beautiful, historic and significant building was allowed to fall behind like it has.

Imagine Grand Central in such a state.

Good they finally addressed it but embarrassing it was allowed to happen.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Really excited for the 30th st station project. It's such a shame that such a beautiful, historic and significant building was allowed to fall behind like it has.

Imagine Grand Central in such a state.

Good they finally addressed it but embarrassing it was allowed to happen.

Wait, what specifically is wrong with it? What state is it in and how has it fallen behind? It has a bit of wear but is perfectly functional and has avoided having it's historic charms and quirks "modernized".

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by PHL10

Wait, what specifically is wrong with it? What state is it in and how has it fallen behind? It has a bit of wear but is perfectly functional and has avoided having it's historic charms and quirks "modernized".

It's a dirty hole. Have you been there lately?

[Nova08]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Really excited for the 30th st station project. It's such a shame that such a beautiful, historic and significant building was allowed to fall behind like it has.

Imagine Grand Central in such a state.

Good they finally addressed it but embarrassing it was allowed to happen.

Grand Central station was in such a state in mid 90's. And they spend $100+ million to bring it up into a state of good repair.

[aprice1828]

The reactions on both the Philadelphia and Amtrak subreddits basically just said "this is good news but the station is already in great condition".
Basically this is just back of house investment and some preparations to bring in new food and retail. Not sure if Philly is in need of another Food Hall but I could definitely see that being their goal. The Bourse is struggling but Reading Terminal is all the proof you need that the model works. Hopefully 30th Street can capture the dinner market.
And this doesn't need to be said but no, 30th Street isn't a dirty hole or whatever. It's not just good for U.S. standards, it's good for global standards (just need to get that MFL connection).

[summersm343]

30th Street Station is a dirty hole. WTF? Some people man... very strange.

I was just in 30th Street Station - it could use a little TLC here and there, but a dirty hole? Come on. Man, Philadelphian's really do beat themselves and the city up way more than we should.

Either way.... glad they're investing in it to keep it up to par.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by aprice1828

The reactions on both the Philadelphia and Amtrak subreddits basically just said "this is good news but the station is already in great condition".
Basically this is just back of house investment and some preparations to bring in new food and retail. Not sure if Philly is in need of another Food Hall but I could definitely see that being their goal. The Bourse is struggling but Reading Terminal is all the proof you need that the model works. Hopefully 30th Street can capture the dinner market.
And this doesn't need to be said but no, 30th Street isn't a dirty hole or whatever. It's not just good for U.S. standards, it's good for global standards (just need to get that MFL connection).

Agreed. 30th Street is one of the most beautiful train stations in North America.

The food / retail component definitely needs an upgrade though. Amtrak should use Grand Central as a model, tons of great food options there. But brighter lighting, a nice coffee shop like La Columbe, an alcohol serving restaurant and a few fun food options would be great. Glad to hear that Amtrak is starting this task soon though.

O, and remove those darn advertising banners, a wish.

I travel between NY Penn and 30th a lot, and NY Penn is a hole (the new hall is nice, but I never visit because I come from the East Side), but every time I come up the escalator at 30th I smile because its such a beautiful building.

[DudeGuy]

My biggest gripe about 30th street is the huge advertisements that are hung from the ceiling. They are so ugly and really detract from the elegance of the building.

[Skintreesnail]

Yeah, 30th street is pretty majestic, such a nice feeling coming up those escalators. I think a more reasonable usage of the space they have will liven it up, and it sounds like that's the plan. Something like a food hall might be a good idea with the added residential being built in the area.

[Redddog]

OK, OK. Maybe I was being a bit dramatic.

It's a beautiful building and a gem and I'm glad they're gonna polish it up.

My bad. My bad.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by summersm343

30th Street Station is a dirty hole. WTF? Some people man... very strange.

I was just in 30th Street Station - it could use a little TLC here and there, but a dirty hole? Come on. Man, Philadelphian's really do beat themselves and the city up way more than we should.

Either way.... glad they're investing in it to keep it up to par.

Exactly. My visitors are generally super impressed with the station.

[iheartphilly]

30th St. Station should aspire to be more like Union Station in D.C. Hopefully, the renovations will do it.

[Jerryiz]

Originally Posted by SEFTA

Spent 1 1/2 hour standing in the driving rain waiting for a megabus. A miserable experience. I'LL TAKE THE TRAIN!
My impression of Hudson Yards, on a different day, was how I had to prop myself against the wind to keep from falling over. Apparently this is normal.

The MegaBus wasn't my first choice .but it was my only option financially. We were returning from Vacation overseas and landed at JFK. There were no cars available for rent and AMTRAK wanted 88.00 $ per person. I took the 49.00 choice for 2 Megabus tickets.

[Justin7]

Originally Posted by Redddog

It's a dirty hole. Have you been there lately?

Originally Posted by Redddog

OK, OK. Maybe I was being a bit dramatic.

It's a beautiful building and a gem and I'm glad they're gonna polish it up.

My bad. My bad.

Don't want to pile on here after an apology, but genuinely curious about the experience that prompted this statement.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by Justin7

Don't want to pile on here after an apology, but genuinely curious about the experience that prompted this statement.

Ditto. I tend to be less optimistic about the current state and trajectory of the city than most here, but I don't see 30th Street as in terrible shape. It's looked better, but I remember it before the renovations in the 80s. THAT was a hole.

[DudeGuy]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Ditto. I tend to be less optimistic about the current state and trajectory of the city than most here, but I don't see 30th Street as in terrible shape. It's looked better, but I remember it before the renovations in the 80s. THAT was a hole.

The last time I was in 30th Street (2 months ago) there was a torrent of water leaking from the roof through one of the light fixtures. It definitely needs some work.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by DudeGuy

The last time I was in 30th Street (2 months ago) there was a torrent of water leaking from the roof through one of the light fixtures. It definitely needs some work.

I don't get to the station frequently now, since I have little/no reason to leave town these days, but I did see my son off to DC in June. There's definitely "wear and tear" and it's due for serious maintenance after 40 years. It just hasn't reached the layers of filth and grime, with pigeons indoors, level. I was sad to see Pret had closed.

[Redddog]

My experience was referring to a time a little before covid. The bathrooms were trashed and had sh$t and urine all over, about 25% of the benches were used by sleeping homeless.

Maybe just a snapshot in time but it left an impression as a place that was unpleasent - not the building itself.

It's a beautiful building and a national treasure. I am in total agreement. I appologized. It didn't seem to take.

[gttx]

Originally Posted by Redddog

My experience was referring to a time a little before covid. The bathrooms were trashed and had sh$t and urine all over, about 25% of the benches were used by sleeping homeless.

Maybe just a snapshot in time but it left an impression as a place that was in decline.

It's a beautiful building and a national treasure. I am in total agreement. I appologized. It didn't seem to take.

I might be in the minority here, but I think this is an important perspective.

The building can be both beautiful, historic, and charming and failing to meet the standards of a modern commuter or long-haul train station. The experience of taking the train (what Amtrak itself calls a "seamless journey") is from the time you leave your house to the time you arrive at your destination. If part of that is wading through decrepit bathrooms - even if they are in an amazing building - it will stick with you just as much as the train ride itself. The little things make a big difference.

[mcgrath618]

One thing is for certain: we're lucky to have 30th Street. It's loads better than most any other train terminal in the country. Definitely on par with Union Station (both DC and Chicago), and these renovations will cement that.