PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread

[Skintreesnail]

I'd rather see the stadium remain in the south philly complex than Penn's landing for all the reasons folks already mentioned; transit, traffic, interruption to existing plans, etc.

30th street makes the most sense transit-wise, and if the amtrak yards overbuild plans are leveraged than traffic/parking issues could also be limited. Plus having it right downtown would be cool. The disney hole works from a transit perspective (thought not as well as 30th street I think), but the traffic would be a nightmare.

The existing stadium complex is kind of an interesting idea having everything clustered, but getting there is still pretty difficult and the sea of parking required probably hampers other development in the area. The Navy Yard continues to grow and it might become attractive to live in that area in the future.

[Justin7]

Originally Posted by Urbanthusiat

I still think the Disney Hole would be perfect (assuming you have to demo the existing building).

Demo what now?

[Groundhog]

The Sixers should stay in the stadium complex. Josh Harris has been a terrible owner for the most part, so I don't expect him to make the right decision here either. I'm a season ticket holder and have repeated given feedback that if they leave the stadium complex (or simply demand public funding for a stadium), I'm out. Passing that information to my sales rep today and suggest if any other season ticket holders are on here to do the same.

I know people may think that there's a better location and there's merit to some of that debate, but the thought of looking for public funding during a pandemic that is draining city and state funds is the most tone def thing this backwards thinking organization has put out there under this ownership group.

Honestly, I'm shocked they're not looking at moving the team to Camden the same way they moved the training facilities.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by Urbanthusiat

Hmmm....

The Sixers are targeting Penn’s Landing for a potential new basketball arena

Not sure this is a good idea. Penn's landing would be a pain in the ass to get to via transit, and via car. Article says they want to be in a different stadium by 2031. Where else could they put it? I still think the Disney Hole would be perfect (assuming you have to demo the existing building).

Hell no. That building is a treasure.

[mcgrath618]

Also, if they’re going to move the stadium, put it where the Baker Bowl was. Broad and Lehigh.

Great public transit access, and would serve to kickstart the North Station District.

[PhilliesPhan]

Originally Posted by Urbanthusiat

Hmmm....

The Sixers are targeting Penn’s Landing for a potential new basketball arena

Not sure this is a good idea. Penn's landing would be a pain in the ass to get to via transit, and via car. Article says they want to be in a different stadium by 2031. Where else could they put it? I still think the Disney Hole would be perfect (assuming you have to demo the existing building).

Place it at Broad and Lehigh. Bring pro sports back to North Philly! A stadium in such a transit-dense area would be much better than the lowly gas station that currently exists at the southwest corner.

[PhilliesPhan]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Also, if they’re going to move the stadium, put it where the Baker Bowl was. Broad and Lehigh.

Great public transit access, and would serve to kickstart the North Station District.

I responded to a post on the prior page, so I didn't see your reply before I posted my opinion. Looks like we have the exact same idea!

Such a plan would require a major renovation of North Philadelphia station, along with having express BSL trains stop at North Philadelphia, but all of that would be doable in relation to the potential timeline for a new stadium.

[700 Level]

It is so pleasing to see the steady flow of projects that replace surface lots or empty lots throughout the city. There is a nice summary on @constructadelphia (Instagram) about a large scale project in East Falls (link below). Keep the projects coming!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZEWLRDRIC/

[City Wide]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

The Sixers should stay in the stadium complex. Josh Harris has been a terrible owner for the most part, so I don't expect him to make the right decision here either. I'm a season ticket holder and have repeated given feedback that if they leave the stadium complex (or simply demand public funding for a stadium), I'm out. Passing that information to my sales rep today and suggest if any other season ticket holders are on here to do the same.

Honestly, I'm shocked they're not looking at moving the team to Camden the same way they moved the training facilities.

If Harris is involved then I expect him to demand public money be a key part of the package, the sap sucker that he is. I could be convinced of the need for that at 3oth St. for items like building the platform over the tracks and bringing in utilities especially if they could be used for additional buildings. Ideally a new stadium at this location would be part of a package, a tower for apartments or condos, an office tower, maybe including a hotel, etc.

I'm also interested in hearing what kind of stadium they would like; basketball only, meaning no hockey lay out, would it be a typically big 20K++ seat build or would they want more or a small 15K-- seat building where every seat is a good one

[Redddog]

As an Old Citier, I can tell you that there would be MAJOR pushback for this part of town on this.

It would be a logistical nightmare.

This is pure fantasy.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by Redddog

As an Old Citier, I can tell you that there would be MAJOR pushback for this part of town on this.

It would be a logistical nightmare.

This is pure fantasy.

Trust the Process!

[summersm343]

No to a Sixers stadium at Penn's Landing. Makes no sense.

Keep the stadiums where they are and BUILD UP AROUND THE STADIUMS. I've been saying this for a long time, and it makes no sense not to. The area around the stadiums is literally a blank canvass to build a complete new Downtown-like area and entertainment district with shops, restaurants, museums, residential, hotels, and office space. There's no reason not to. If only Philadelphia could think bigger, and outside of Center City and University City. We're a large enough city and metro area to support more, and support something like this. If the likes of Baltimore, Kansas City, St. Louis, etc. can do it.... we can EASILY make this happen. Hell... even Boston, a smaller city and smaller metro area than us has Downtown and the Back Bay, Cambridge, AND is building up Fenway and the Seaport District.... MAKE IT HAPPEN PHILLY!

[iamrobk]

There are so many issues with that proposal that I won't bother addressing them all, but it's absolutely ridiculous that they were going to ask for public support in this economic climate. Like, I'd still have been against it had they asked in January/February, but to even 'leak' now that they want public money? Absolutely ridiculous lol.

[Larry King]

Originally Posted by Redddog

As an Old Citier, I can tell you that there would be MAJOR pushback for this part of town on this.

It would be a logistical nightmare.

This is pure fantasy.

No it wouldn't. People would be able to walk to the games, take the el or take the ferry from Jersey.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by Larry King

take the ferry from Jersey.

Lmao

[Larry King]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Lmao

Hey people do the reverse to see concerts in Camden

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by Larry King

Hey people do the reverse to see concerts in Camden

They take the train. Not the ferry.

[KDD]

I've been reading this forum since probably 2006, and Harris's plan is what finally motivated me to register. Where to begin...

1) Does Philadelphia need another 15-20k arena? IDK, other areas, including smaller ones (Twin Cities) have 2 so maybe it can work. Given that the Sixers are mere tenants at Wells Fargo, I get it.

2) Location, why??? It seems to me if the city wants to use a new arena as a catalyst, there are better options. More poignantly, the area would be a cap of 95 away from being connected to one of the most successful downtowns in America. This area doesn't need the "help" from an arena.

3) The NIZ. If I may quote Roger from American Dad, "Nooooo". As far as I know, the NIZ has only been used in Allentown (other cities have watered down versions). The NIZ was written by Allentown's state senator, Pat Brown to find a way to revitalize a blighted downtown (I'd argue Allentown's situation was unique, the downtown was dead while LV was relatively prosperous, unlike say WB/S). State taxes collected within the NIZ are funneled back to the developer to pay for bonds. This mostly includes receipts from the PA wage tax. So my question is that, does that mean the taxes collected from Joel Embiid's salary are funneled back to Harris? I am not sure if that is how it would work, but its worth asking and if thats case, this may be the worst example of corporate greed that I can find (let alone an example of public funding of sports teams).

So lets say they get NIZ funding (doubt it, I think it will take a change in state law to get a new NIZ) that means in order for a billionaire to build an arena for his billion dollar team, next to possibly the most desirable neighborhood in the city, if not the state, needs a hand out to get it done, then hell, lets give up. Lets dissolve the city and state government because we can never build anything without taxpayer support.

I don't know how serious this proposal is but whoever kills this gets my vote for mayor, and a check from me too.

[Nova08]

The Sixers have bungled everything in the past 5-10 years. Terrible draft picks, a number one pick that was a head case, bad trades, prima donna young players with poor veteran talent around them to put them in their place (aside from the likes of JJ Redick). The last thing we need is a center city arena for the next time they have to give away tickets to come close to filling it at 50% capacity.

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Minus the whole public contribution issue (a big one), another major irritation is the idea of the Sixers abandoning the Sports Complex.

That area is finally coming together, all the stadiums (less soccer) are there, the casino is finishing, Xfinity Live, that new gamer thing.

20 years ago it was a shame the stadiums were randomly dotted away from the city core, but its rather unique and provided the opportunity to create a full sports /gaming center that does not interfere with the city or most residents.

If the Sixers must get a new stadium, why can't it be built in that complex?

I know the 30th Street project could use a boost, but this would be a good time for the city to hunker down and develop a plan to attract new businesses to the city / region or focus efforts on growing existing businesses. The Sixers taking up space near 30th Street is another sad game of musical chairs that masquerades as good development and lets the city slide.

(And I know asking the city to do something logical is a dream...)

I'm no fan of the Old City proposal (dead set against it), but the Sports Complex sucks. Perhaps the only arena that should be down there is football bc of all of the tailgating.

Basketball and Baseball should be somewhere in the urban fabric of the city near transit.