Philadelphia 2035 (Penn: playgrounds, low income, transplants)

[Tweb66]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

lol

But Ridge Avenue now beats Ridge Avenue 10 years ago as well, in terms of life on the street. I just hope they can fill the small commercial spaces with a mix of tenants that appeal across the socioeconomic spectrum.

There is a paradox, though: All those new buildings lining Ridge Avenue make the remaining derelict ones stick out like sore thumbs now.

On Ridge itself (not talking Roxborough)there are some legit nice looking buildings. I will give them that. Ridge in Roxborough...none of the new buildings are lookers but I don't really mind. Just getting more bodies will help with retail. That is a lesson the Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill people can learn. They (I say "they" loosely) complain about the lack of options on Germantown Ave, but are the first people to campaign against new housing, as if the two aren't completely related.

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

Well, a fifty-year life span on new builds in 2023 seems to me to be quite a claim, and I'm not exactly sure what data leads you to this statement (do you have the blueprints and the material list?), but even if that prediction is accurate, does it matter? If construction, as long as it isn't intrinsically flawed and thus fails in a couple years, transforms a previously bombed out area into a true neighborhood with retail and homeowners, so what if major repairs or entire new builds need to happen twice a century? All of the homeowners in those higher-end places will have insurance and renters can just move along. I mean, it's definitely not ideal, but I'll take it over scaring away builders so the area stays "as is." I find your claim to be dubious at best Hermie and I'd be interested to understand why you think this, but regardless, I stand by my above argument.

I know people in the building industry. I'll take their word over someone's overly optimistic, inebriated dreams. See post #9070.

There's already been horror stories in the Fishtown area of new builds having major issues.

https://billypenn.com/2023/06/12/phi...amage-lawsuit/

Nobody wants to see blighted areas stay 'as is.' You seem to be 'stuck' on that. And who's trying to 'scare away' builders?

You know homeowners insurance doesn't cover every little thing a house needs, right? Do you even own a home?

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Hermit12

I know people in the building industry. I'll take their word over someone's overly optimistic, inebriated dreams. See post #9070.

There's already been horror stories in the Fishtown area of new builds having major issues.

https://billypenn.com/2023/06/12/phi...amage-lawsuit/

Nobody wants to see blighted areas stay 'as is.' You seem to be 'stuck' on that. And who's trying to 'scare away' builders?

You know homeowners insurance doesn't cover every little thing a house needs, right? Do you even own a home?

How do you know he's drunk? lol.

[Tweb66]

And if someone interpreted that post as "optimistic" I'd question who the drunk person was.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Tweb66

And if someone interpreted that post as "optimistic" I'd question who the drunk person was.

I think Hermit12 was calling Reddog the optimist, not you, and citing your post as evidence backing up his assertion.

Having read that series the Inquirer ran about five years ago on Toll Brothers homes having problems with water infiltration and mold, and looking at the materials used on many of these buildings, I'm inclined to agree with you but still retain some of Reddog's optimism.

The hitch is that many of the buyers will have bought a bill of goods. The bigger issue will be with the rentals if (as is quite possible) their owners perform only enough maintenance to keep the apartments barely habitable.

I wonder how much of this has to do with keeping the overall cost in line after factoring out the labor? I know that many of those defending the full tax abatement — which, contrary to what its critics thought, was a subsidy to the builder more than it was a break for the buyer — said it was needed because we had "New York construction costs but Philadelphia prices."

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I think Hermit12 was calling Reddog the optimist, not you, and citing your post as evidence backing up his assertion.

Having read that series the Inquirer ran about five years ago on Toll Brothers homes having problems with water infiltration and mold, and looking at the materials used on many of these buildings, I'm inclined to agree with you but still retain some of Reddog's optimism.

The hitch is that many of the buyers will have bought a bill of goods. The bigger issue will be with the rentals if (as is quite possible) their owners perform only enough maintenance to keep the apartments barely habitable.

I wonder how much of this has to do with keeping the overall cost in line after factoring out the labor? I know that many of those defending the full tax abatement — which, contrary to what its critics thought, was a subsidy to the builder more than it was a break for the buyer — said it was needed because we had "New York construction costs but Philadelphia prices."

I think that might be the first time I've been called an optimist. Lol.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Redddog

I think that might be the first time I've been called an optimist. Lol.

Oops, I got that wrong; it was Pennsport who was the optimist. Mentally revise my prior post accordingly.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by Hermit12

I know people in the building industry. I'll take their word over someone's overly optimistic, inebriated dreams. See post #9070.

There's already been horror stories in the Fishtown area of new builds having major issues.

https://billypenn.com/2023/06/12/phi...amage-lawsuit/

Nobody wants to see blighted areas stay 'as is.' You seem to be 'stuck' on that. And who's trying to 'scare away' builders?

You know homeowners insurance doesn't cover every little thing a house needs, right? Do you even own a home?

LOL.. But do you Hermie, actually know people in the building industry? Do you really Hermie? Hmm... Well, what about those blueprints and materials, specifically, lead you to believe this? I actually DO know a number of developers and construction companies in the city, and I doubt any of the partners or architects could provide feedback without seeing the blueprints and materials list. Please be specific about those builds Herms. I'll wait, go ask you "building industry" buddies and let us know exactly why those new builds are poised to fail. Hermie

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

LOL.. But do you Hermie, actually know people in the building industry? Do you really Hermie? Hmm... Well, what about those blueprints and materials, specifically, lead you to believe this? I actually DO know a number of developers and construction companies in the city, and I doubt any of the partners or architects could provide feedback without seeing the blueprints and materials list. Please be specific about those builds Herms. I'll wait, go ask you "building industry" buddies and let us know exactly why those new builds are poised to fail. Hermie

Try to keep your emotions under control.

Pretty smug for someone who can't accept the fact that most of these new builds are crap. I don't need to provide blueprints and a materials list to someone who's on par with Norman the Viking. There's enough evidence out there ... it's on you if you're taking it personal. Kind of weird that you're taking it so personal, actually.

It's common knowledge in the industry that these are 'fifty year houses.' YOU prove me wrong.

[Hermit12]

Here's my pipe dream for neighborhoods like Kensington: A mix of affordable, solidly-built townhomes, twins and single family homes. Not low income, but rows for 225K, twins for 325K and singles for 425K. Build a neighborhood for Philadelphia families who want to remain in Philadelphia and raise kids.
Enough with the ugly, cheaply-built, Soviet-era style rental buildings that cater to single transplants.

Before anybody goes on the defensive, like I said - 'pipe dream.'