What should Philadelphia do to reach its full potential? (Elim: crime rate, neighborhoods)

[SGirard]

Philadelphia has come a long way recently, and Center City has become one of the best downtowns in the US. The population is increasing and the city is growing faster than most of the suburban counties. However, I think everyone who loves this city knows how great it really could be if certain serious problems were alleviated. What do you think will most help this city to grow and become a better place to live in the future?

[ElijahAstin]

Every option listed in your poll would improve the city (as it would any city). The question is figuring out how to do so through attainable, step-by-step goals.

That said, the quality (or lack thereof) of the vast majority of the city's public schools is probably the biggest issue. Solve that, and young families will flock in like crazy. Of course, it's a lot more complicated than that.

[SGirard]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Every option listed in your poll would improve the city (as it would any city). The question is figuring out how to do so through attainable, step-by-step goals.

That said, the quality (or lack thereof) of the vast majority of the city's public schools is probably the biggest issue. Solve that, and young families will flock in like crazy. Of course, it's a lot more complicated than that.

Yes, I think lack of parent involvement is a big issue. The question to ask is what inner city schools are models of success that we can emulate?

[pman]

can i vote for all of them? the list reads in order of priority i think

[mancat100]

Forcibly relocate roughly 50% of the native-born Philadelphians to South Jersey (where they'd probably prefer to be anyway) and replace them with people who actually want to be here and are untainted by the "old Philly" crappy attitude.

[jtom605]

Originally Posted by mancat100

Forcibly relocate roughly 50% of the native-born Philadelphians to South Jersey (where they'd probably prefer to be anyway) and replace them with people who actually want to be here and are untainted by the "old Philly" crappy attitude.

And where are you from, mancat? You think you can just move to Philly, insult all of the city's natives, and then turn the city into some urban utopia. Philadelphia would be a much better city if arrogant people like you would move out. Us, native Philadelphians, don't want you here.

[mancat100]

Originally Posted by jtom605

And where are you from, mancat? You think you can just move to Philly, insult all of the city's natives, and then turn the city into some urban utopia. Philadelphia would be a much better city if arrogant people like you would move out. Us, native Philadelphians, don't want you here.

I only said 50%, not everyone. Sorry to have offended you. I guess on a re-reading of the statement I can see how it comes off as a bad thing to say. It's just that most of the negativity I come across is from natives. I've lived here 20 years and I have to call it as I see it. I'm not saying they are bad people, just that many seem so unhappy to be here and it shows itself in numerous ways. And yes, I'd very much enjoy an urban utopia.

[jtom605]

Originally Posted by mancat100

I only said 50%, not everyone. Sorry to have offended you. I guess on a re-reading of the statement I can see how it comes off as a bad thing to say. It's just that most of the negativity I come across is from natives. I've lived here 20 years and I have to call it as I see it. I'm not saying they are bad people, just that many seem so unhappy to be here and it shows itself in numerous ways. And yes, I'd very much enjoy an urban utopia.

If 50% of the natives were removed, Philadelphia would be a city of abandoned neighborhoods. There's demand to move to Philly, but not that much demand.

Yes, a good portion of Philadelphians have a negative attitude, but I'm not sure it's really holding the city back as much as people want to believe. As a resident of the Northeast, I know that many people around here have a very negative view of the city. There was a recent poll in the Inquirer that showed that Northeast residents have the most negative outlook on the city. But can we really blame these people for Philadelphia's problems? I don't really think so. So what if some dude in Mayfair or another non-hip residental area thinks Philly is heading in the wrong direction?

Mancat, you still did not answer my question regarding where you moved from to Philly.

[Craziaskowboi]

Rebuild the Schuylkill Expressway to AASHTO compliance, regardless of the cost. If Boston can bury two of their highways, then Philadelphia can upgrade one of theirs.

Eliminate the wage tax.

[frankgn87]

I think better schools and lower crime rate are equally important.. But I could only vote for one..