is city living losing its luster ? (Washington, Liberty: credit, hotel, safe)

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

The city doesn't have an active policy requiring developers to set aside units in multifamily projects as affordable units. The developer of 205 Race in Old City managed to make the numbers for his project work in such a way that he could make 10 percent of the building's units affordable after getting a density bonus for the site. I think he agreed to this as part of getting the density bonus, though. He's following through on that pledge.

The Kenney administration hasn't put forth any formal strategy towards that end. Some existing city programs, in particular the PHL Tax LOOP program, are designed to help keep longtime homeowners from being taxed out of their homes when values rise with gentrification.

Thanks for answering my questions.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

Just because crime is 'down,' it doesn't mean there isn't still a lot of crime in Philadelphia - there is. We have a lot of angry maniacs and mental cases walking our streets. Best to be aware of your surroundings and to watch your mouth ... even more so than in, say, Downingtown or Jenkintown.

Just as an example of mental cases... The nutbar , this week, who carjacked a cab at 20th and Locust, pulled a passenger from the cab, proceeded to drive through Rittenhouse Sa(wtf!), and was finally stopped by guys who were able to stop the cab, pull him out and hold him down till cops came.

[Redddog]

Haha. Gotta love the Harvard name drops.

You guys bring it to an art form.

[bnettles]

People, places, and things - always be mindful of them. As far as the city's potential goes, I agree with the "thedirtypirate." The city's still a hot market - 71 units sold in Grad Hospital alone Jan'17 with avg. sales price of $346,957. Homes are still selling and people are still buying.

[lpranger467]

So I see that your an agent, what were these numbers over the same periods a few years ago ? is there stagnation, growth ?

Originally Posted by bnettles

People, places, and things - always be mindful of them. As far as the city's potential goes, I agree with the "thedirtypirate." The city's still a hot market - 71 units sold in Grad Hospital alone Jan'17 with avg. sales price of $346,957. Homes are still selling and people are still buying.

[credit6]

When I go to Center City I normally go to areas like Olde City, Rittenhouse, and Washington Square. That would be the 2nd to 8th street area from walnut to arch and 20th to 22nd street area from walnut to JFK.


I stay away from the 15th street to 19th area from chestnut to Market which in my opinion is the worst area of center city.

[credit6]

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

Just because crime is 'down,' it doesn't mean there isn't still a lot of crime in Philadelphia - there is. We have a lot of angry maniacs and mental cases walking our streets. Best to be aware of your surroundings and to watch your mouth ... even more so than in, say, Downingtown or Jenkintown.

Certainly doesn't look like crime is down when I watch the news everyday.

[Redddog]

Oh. That's just fake news.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

Most city people drive, too. They never die in accidents? Or is it only suburbanites who have that market cornered?

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

I go back to the fact that suburbanites or other frequent drivers never talk about or consider the incredible risks of driving.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I assume you're talking about the person, not the office, for our City Charter gives us what's known as a "strong mayor" form of government.

The term, however, refers to the relationship the mayor has to the municipal legislature. A "strong" mayor functions independently of the legislature and can veto bills it passes. I'm not sure whether this is the case here, but I think there are some cities whose municipal charters allow mayors to issue orders much as the President does; in such a case, the mayor functions as the "chief executive" in every respect. (I think such cities are few in number, though.)

In a "weak mayor" city, the mayor is usually just the first among equals in the legislature. In some, the mayor is chosen from the legislature's ranks. Cities with council-manager governments have weak mayors. My hometown is one of those. The city manager serves at the pleasure of the mayor, who appoints him or her, but that person's tenure is independent of the mayor's, and it's not unheard of for a city manager to outlast several mayors.

I appreciate the more official nuances. I was referring to the person. We voted in an institution guy that will most likely not do much outside of what he's been sent to do. He likes to pretend otherwise, but he's a play-it-safe mayor...the opposite of what I think we really need.