Philadelphia 2035 (Chester, Norristown, King of Prussia: suburbia, admission, courthouse)

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

Not sure if anyone has been following Blatstein's Broad & Washington saga.

Broad & Washington: Anatomy of an Unvote - Property
ZBA votes in favor of Blatstein’s 32-story Broad and Washington project, then takes back decision | Passyunk Post

Blatstein's absolutely terrible design is hated by everyone (except him), and all he needs is the ZBA to approve. KJ has a bill out to stop development on that site, but that legislation doesn't make any sense. Not sure what will come of that.

Across the street, we have Lincoln Square which is much more in scale and has gotten approval to move forward. There are some cool elements to this one, like reusing the train shed and a pedestrian-only street. Overall, kind of bland architecture, but I guess you can't have it all...

PlanPhilly | Johnson sponsors zoning change for Lincoln Square project at Broad & Washington

Though the project is a flop, I think KJ has his own agenda on that one. He has proven to the city that he does not like gentrification and has tried to block wealthier people moving below Center City through various tactics.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Though the project is a flop, I think KJ has his own agenda on that one. He has proven to the city that he does not like gentrification and has tried to block wealthier people moving below Center City through various tactics.

Yes, and there is racism mixed in there too. Foolishness really. Most of the PB residents that have been protesting gentrification are home owners. Rather than trying to pass ridiculous legislation, he could help empower existing homeowners by making sure they're educated on tax relief, other city aid that will help residents to maintain their homes (e.g. fixing the roof, etc.), and having a racially inclusive neighborhood association to benefit everyone. I do realize that's far too much to ask for, but these councilmen are an absolute burden.

[cpomp]

Study: Philly's 'Burbs Would Be Stronger If They Walked the Walk Like Cities - Property

I figured this was post worthy since the negative attitudes toward growth in many of our regions most desirable suburbs has held some areas back. I don't think we need to emulate everything the DC area is doing, but projects like One Ardmore Place should start being welcomed into the walk-able denser suburban communities.

The article did leave out West Chester and Conshohocken for some reason, they are probably leading the pack for dense suburbs in our region. KoP will likely follow. However, many of the Main Line towns and Media have such strong NIMBYism that it takes years for a larger project to get off the ground.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Study: Philly's 'Burbs Would Be Stronger If They Walked the Walk Like Cities - Property

I figured this was post worthy since the negative attitudes toward growth in many of our regions most desirable suburbs has held some areas back. I don't think we need to emulate everything the DC area is doing, but projects like One Ardmore Place should start being welcomed into the walk-able denser suburban communities.

The article did leave out West Chester and Conshohocken for some reason, they are probably leading the pack for dense suburbs in our region. KoP will likely follow. However, many of the Main Line towns and Media have such strong NIMBYism that it takes years for a larger project to get off the ground.

How long has that Ardmore "mess" been going on?! About 10 years at this point. Tbh, I'm too lazy right now to look it up. Even if some of it gets built it will not change the culture, such as it is, in Ardmore. People will continue to drive(suburbanites like driving) and "walkable" Lancaster Ave will continue to be people-free.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by kyb01

How long has that Ardmore "mess" been going on?! About 10 years at this point. Tbh, I'm too lazy right now to look it up. Even if some of it gets built it will not change the culture, such as it is, in Ardmore. People will continue to drive(suburbanites like driving) and "walkable" Lancaster Ave will continue to be people-free.

I think 2008 or something is when the proposal first came out? I believe Dranoff is legally able to proceed with the project, but for whatever reason it hasn't begun yet.
It's a shame when towns like Ardmore have a chance to be awesome, but they settle for average.

[PhilliesPhan2013]

FBI probing the way the city sells land to developers

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

I think 2008 or something is when the proposal first came out? I believe Dranoff is legally able to proceed with the project, but for whatever reason it hasn't begun yet.
It's a shame when towns like Ardmore have a chance to be awesome, but they settle for average.

It's Main Line "conservatism" at its best. They don't like change. They don't like people like Dranoff. They don't want development. Milkboy, for example,left Ardmore(well it stayed there for a while) because there was minimal foot traffic. They sure as heck don't want to mimic Walnut St on Lancaster Ave because it might draw young people/more black people or, omg, hipsters!

Additionally having the pretty good Bryn Mawr Film Institute did absolutely nothing to bring any life to Bryn Mawr which is worse than Ardmore.

Interestingly Ardmore was great when I was a kid. Two movies theaters. Suburban Sq was awesome... Best and Co, Strawbridge and Clothier....everything about it was classy. Try to even imagine that now.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan2013

FBI probing the way the city sells land to developers

+1

Fantastic news. Hopefully, something comes of it. And they shouldn't stop at Kenyatta. Clarke may be the worst.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by kyb01

It's Main Line "conservatism" at its best. They don't like change. They don't like people like Dranoff. They don't want development. Milkboy, for example,left Ardmore(well it stayed there for a while) because there was minimal foot traffic. They sure as heck don't want to mimic Walnut St on Lancaster Ave because it might draw young people/more black people or, omg, hipsters!

Additionally having the pretty good Bryn Mawr Film Institute did absolutely nothing to bring any life to Bryn Mawr which is worse than Ardmore.

Interestingly Ardmore was great when I was a kid. Two movies theaters. Suburban Sq was awesome... Best and Co, Strawbridge and Clothier....everything about it was classy. Try to even imagine that now.

Add to the list Malvern, Berwyn, Devon - blech.

[rainrock]

I had some business down near the airport this week. I have to tell you the general area is a depressing dumpster fire, Eastwick to Essington its just horrible . If you are a visitor and have to stay in an airport area hotel its like being timejacked back to the 50's and 60's. These people visiting there are probably saying you have to be kidding me. Its unbelievable. There is virtually no upkeep in that area.Unpresentable.

Philadelphia region needs a common sense czar to get it out of its ridiculous stupor. Like why are you putting the airport right next to the sewage treatment plant and oil refineries? Why are you building 5,000 hotel rooms in godforsaken Essington ,a neglected place that has not seen a penny of development other than chain hotels in the past 50 years.

Why did you build a 20,000 seat soccer stadium in crime ridden Chester? Why did you build one f the regions biggest Casinos in crime ridden Chester. Why is the Aquarium and Outdoor Music Venue in Crime ridden Camden ?

Why are you putting the mega entertainment venues/ball parks/arenas in the middle of a economically depraved warehouse district? This place is absolutely hopeless.