Gentrification of Philadelphia (Republic, Penn: middle-class, condos, hotels)

[asiandudeyo]

Ever since I moved to Philadelphia and joined several forums, people / posters have accused me for being a jaded hipster or a yuppyor even a yappie (Which is kind of funny, because there are differences - albeit subtle in some departments - between hipsters and yuppies).
Some even told me (without knowing who I am ) that because of me, the area they lived in is no longer affordable.
I don't think I am neither a hipster nor a yuppy.
One thing for sure though, I am pro gentrification.
I read this article and some of the points are applicable to Philadelphia.
This is just a light reading by the way. Not intended to stir ant controversies.
Gentrification Pro and Con: Is it Screwing up Los Angeles and Hurting the Poor? Or Making Life Better? | L.A. Weekly

[cpomp]

To me you just seem like a young, positive and energietic person, much like myself

I didn't read the entire article, but gentrification has more good than bad. It does bring a sense of community back to the neighborhood and people begin to take pride in where they live! The Gayborhood and Northern Liberties are the biggest examples of that in Philly.

Sometimes My republican side comes out a bit when I support the tax breaks and encentives to move wealthier or rich people into Philly because this city already does so much for the poor (and a majority of it is poor), so it is good to see CC and surrounding neighborhoods going through a renaissance. Neighborhoods like Kensington and Point Breeze may need to figure out a balance to prevent older residents from being displaced, but CC especially: condos, hotels, retail, dining, clubs=more people, more wealth and more moeny for the city.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by asiandudeyo

Ever since I moved to Philadelphia and joined several forums, people / posters have accused me for being a jaded hipster or a yuppyor even a yappie (Which is kind of funny, because there are differences - albeit subtle in some departments - between hipsters and yuppies).
Some even told me (without knowing who I am ) that because of me, the area they lived in is no longer affordable.
I don't think I am neither a hipster nor a yuppy.
One thing for sure though, I am pro gentrification.
I read this article and some of the points are applicable to Philadelphia.
This is just a light reading by the way. Not intended to stir ant controversies.
Gentrification Pro and Con: Is it Screwing up Los Angeles and Hurting the Poor? Or Making Life Better? | L.A. Weekly

I'm pro making my native city a place I can be proud of instead of ashamed of which is what I was as a young person 40 years ago. Back then, when I traveled, I never wanted to tell anyone where I was from because I knew they would laugh and all the old WC Fields jokes would surface. None of that happens now.

If "gentrification" can change a Negadelphian, like I was, into the complete opposite I'm all for it.

DTLA has a more complex "problem" wrt gentrification and views of it because LA still has an extant Skid Row right next to downtown. Phila. hasn't had an official skid row in decades.

We do need more affordable housing here so that person isn't just being an a$$hat. But none of that is your fault.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

To me you just seem like a young, positive and energietic person, much like myself

I didn't read the entire article, but gentrification has more good than bad. It does bring a sense of community back to the neighborhood and people begin to take pride in where they live! The Gayborhood and Northern Liberties are the biggest examples of that in Philly.

Sometimes My republican side comes out a bit when I support the tax breaks and encentives to move wealthier or rich people into Philly because this city already does so much for the poor (and a majority of it is poor), so it is good to see CC and surrounding neighborhoods going through a renaissance. Neighborhoods like Kensington and Point Breeze may need to figure out a balance to prevent older residents from being displaced, but CC especially: condos, hotels, retail, dining, clubs=more people, more wealth and more moeny for the city.

It's a fact that the city's 10 year tax abatement made a lot of the new development possible. Obviously Democrats passed that. Not Republicans. But the winds of change were going on before that when the Center City District was created and Penn's former prez, Judith Rodin(along with her protege, now Drexel prez, John Fry)re-imagined her old neighborhood(s) in W. Phila. as they were when she was growing up there: A place that was safe and attractive for families with children. It worked! At least in the neighborhoods near Penn.

The tension in places like Point Breeze, IMO, is as a direct result of the slash and burn developer there who seems to have little respect for long time residents. By contrast there seems to be very little hostility coming from long time residents of Francisville who seem fine with new people and new housing.

[pman]

Originally Posted by kyb01

It's a fact that the city's 10 year tax abatement made a lot of the new development possible. Obviously Democrats passed that. Not Republicans. But the winds of change were going on before that when the Center City District was created and Penn's former prez, Judith Rodin(along with her protege, now Drexel prez, John Fry)re-imagined her old neighborhood(s) in W. Phila. as they were when she was growing up there: A place that was safe and attractive for families with children. It worked! At least in the neighborhoods near Penn.

The tension in places like Point Breeze, IMO, is as a direct result of the slash and burn developer there who seems to have little respect for long time residents. By contrast there seems to be very little hostility coming from long time residents of Francisville who seem fine with new people and new housing.

Slash and burn? Isn't that the opposite of developing?
Francisville has a lot of long timers, point breeze is run by poverty pimps.

[thedirtypirate]

thought this was interesting: Tax hike proposed for
Make the people who are just looking to make a quick buck pay more.

[pman]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

thought this was interesting: Tax hike proposed for
Make the people who are just looking to make a quick buck pay more.

Stupid idea. Yeah let's discourage people from fixing up houses for profit. Same kind of moronic idea that destroyed the city.

[mancat100]

If I lived in NYC or San Francisco, I'd be anti-gentrification. Here in Philadelphia, with its miles upon miles of depressed neighborhoods, massive abandonment, pervasive poverty and decades of middle-class flight, I say gentrification is a godsend.

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by pman

Stupid idea. Yeah let's discourage people from fixing up houses for profit. Same kind of moronic idea that destroyed the city.

Uh no. 1.5 is a drop in the bucket

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by pman

Stupid idea. Yeah let's discourage people from fixing up houses for profit. Same kind of moronic idea that destroyed the city.

Uh no. 1.5 is a drop in the bucket. Make the people doing this pay more. If there is profit to be made (which there is) they won't stop.