Philadelphia 2035 (Franklin, Forest City, Franklintown: standard of living, affluent, ghettos)

[kidphilly]

PlanPhilly | Movie chain owner says only hope for Boyd is 8-screen complex

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

PlanPhilly | Movie chain owner says only hope for Boyd is 8-screen complex

This rationale that the "best hope" to preserve an important historic theatre is to demolish it makes NO sense.
They want to throw a bone to preservationists by restoring the small chestnut street facade...which is the least impressive, remarkable, or important historical aspect of the theater.

IMO this false 'hardship' argument they're using is a flimsy justification for demolishing the LAST great movie palace in Philadelphia!
iPic could just as (or more) easily do this on another nearby site. Like for example, how about the vacant lot on Walnut were the Eric Rittenhouse theatre burned down and has been sitting vacant for decades? here: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=phila...46.79,,0,-7.71

Several other cities have managed to save historical movie palaces. Why not Philly, who has a greater legacy than most, and prides itself on it's history?? Gah.

This is a statement from Friends of the Boyd on the matter:Friends of the Boyd

[MikeNigh]

I wonder if converting it to one of those upscale restaurant / movie lounges would be a good compromise?

[Pine to Vine]

Interesting article in today's Inky about Chinatown: A hard look at the future of Chinatowns

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by jm02

Interesting article in today's Inky about Chinatown: A hard look at the future of Chinatowns

Interesting. Although I'm not convinced that the alarmist "Chinatowns on the East Coast are on the verge of disappearing" conclusion is actually true.
In my observation they are changing, and moving around, but not disappearing.
For example, Chinatowns overall in NYC are growing - just not so much the one in Manhattan. Flushing (Queens) & Sunset Park (Brooklyn) Chinatowns have been booming, and a new Chinatown in Sheepshead Bay (also Brooklyn) has popped up in recent years.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by rotodome

Interesting. Although I'm not convinced that the alarmist "Chinatowns on the East Coast are on the verge of disappearing" conclusion is actually true.
In my observation they are changing, and moving around, but not disappearing.
For example, Chinatowns overall in NYC are growing - just not so much the one in Manhattan. Flushing (Queens) & Sunset Park (Brooklyn) Chinatowns have been booming, and a new Chinatown in Sheepshead Bay (also Brooklyn) has popped up in recent years.

Yea - I think is just the traditional Chinatowns where tourists and locals are used to visiting that are under threat. Cities evolve and new ethnic populations show up in neighborhoods previously housed by other ethnic groups. Anyone who has been to Little Italy in NYC or the Italian Market is South Philly can attest to this. (Interesting that North Boston has been somehow remained a bastion of Italians, however, somehow bucking that trend.) In Philly, however, Chinatown would be particularly vulnerable to gentrification given its prime location sandwiched between the financial district, Northern Libs and growth potential of North Broad.

Thought the article was interesting. Personally, I'd hate to see the neighborhood cease to be the center of the Asian community and just a place for tourists, a la NYC's Little Italy. The authentic Asian neighborhood they've created contributes to the urban fabric that makes the city interesting.

[jazzy jeff]

Originally Posted by rotodome

Interesting. Although I'm not convinced that the alarmist "Chinatowns on the East Coast are on the verge of disappearing" conclusion is actually true.
In my observation they are changing, and moving around, but not disappearing.
For example, Chinatowns overall in NYC are growing - just not so much the one in Manhattan. Flushing (Queens) & Sunset Park (Brooklyn) Chinatowns have been booming, and a new Chinatown in Sheepshead Bay (also Brooklyn) has popped up in recent years.

Never realized there were other Chinatowns in NYC besides Manhatten. How are they in size as compared to Philly, which I find to be pretty small?

[gwillyfromphilly]

Wynn withdraws his bid for second Philly casino, citing market factors and competition

http://www.philly.com/philly/busines...sino_plan.html

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

Wynn withdraws his bid for second Philly casino, citing market factors and competition

http://www.philly.com/philly/busines...asino_plan.htm

This is pretty big news. I would guess this puts Blattstein in the driver's seat. Do folks who've lived here longer see things differently?

(btw - the web link was not functional for me, but I found the notice via search).

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by jazzy jeff

Never realized there were other Chinatowns in NYC besides Manhatten. How are they in size as compared to Philly, which I find to be pretty small?

Sheepshead Bay Chinatown is smaller (at least the commercial aspect is), but Flushing & Sunset Park are substantially bigger. There's also another small Chinatown in Staten Island, plus a few in the suburbs.