Pope's Visit: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Philadelphia: DMV, train)

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Hmmm... Everyone who lives just outside the traffic boxes(remember them?), who have cars parked with permits, will keep them parked. Folks who live in the traffic boxes will move their cars to all of the remaining available spots, or garages, before the weekend. In other words there won't any nearby spots for street parking that close to events for anyone else.

Conceivably one could park in deeper west, north and south Philly and take the BSL or EL but lots of people will do that too. It's not a sure thing. Those drivers could " push out" affected people who live in those areas and deprive them of parking,

Since Septa has explanded service during the weekend, the mile walk talk may be a bit bogus now.

I wonder if the lots at the stadiums will be open and then a BSL ride - that would make sense to me

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Afaik the DNC is twice as large as the RNC. Chances are they will utilize the Wells Fargo Center and all of the
PA Convention Ctr. Not the stadiums. Depending upon what happens, both Clintons will be there. Biden will be there. Sanders if he lasts will be there. Perhaps Obama will be there. It's a huge media event and more than "just a convention". This is thoroughly Democratic city and a union town.

No, it won't be like the Pope weekend. You're right about that. But it won't be small either.

The DNC won't come close to generating the global media attention the pope's visit is generating. That said, it should be a bigger financIal boost to the city's businesses. First of all, I don't think we'll be seeing the same level and scope of security that restricts movement the pope's visit generates; for example, closing the Schuylkill. This will result in fewer businesses shutting down. I also think the DNC attendees are more likely to spend money on the hotel suites and fancy restaurants. All in all, I think the DNC will arrive with thicker wallets than the families in town for the meeting this week.

[Janszoon]

Originally Posted by Becca8377

Meet the displaced street vendors who won't profit from Pope's visit

This theme the city has going of displacing the homeless and shutting out small businesses seems ever so slightly at odds with the topics the Pope will presumably be discussing when he's in town.

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by Janszoon

This theme the city has going of displacing the homeless and shutting out small businesses seems ever so slightly at odds with the topics the Pope will presumably be discussing when he's in town.

Agreed. I am not feeling that at all. If it is stadium prices, that is unbelievable.

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

Originally Posted by mphilly

I'm still confused as to why they're saying people have to walk four miles? Can't you just get into the city through the WW or Betsy Ross Bridge and then park just outside the traffic box or am I missing something?

If 1.5 million people show up like they originally said they can't all park right outside the traffic box. It's all based on the walk from nearby train stations or Camden NJ - which is up to 4 miles.

We've talked about all the security and all the inconvenience for us locals. Maybe it's time to start listening to the people who have never been here before and what they think about us so far in conjunction with WMoF.

There's basically been no inconvenience for anybody yet - and presumably people who are coming to the papal events already know about the possible inconveniences and their desire to attend the papal events outweigh it, and assuming there are no major problems people will be pretty happy.

People like traveling places - I had the time of my life just a month ago in Forest City, Iowa, among some other nearby cities. Absolute truth. Just breaking the mundane shackles of everyday life can be enthralling.

But I come into contact with plenty of tourists on a regular basis, and Philadelphia is a great place to visit. Except for those unwilling to give it a shot or have unrealistic expectations, tourists have a great time here. I loved visiting Philadelphia before I lived here, part of why I wound up here.

It's a quite unconnected issue to everything being imposed on the city, neither by the city nor by the WMOF.

[thedirtypirate]

Tonight's a pleasant night out, I walked by many priests and a good amount of people with the clear World Meeting of Families backpacks.

Overheard this preist talking about coming from Asia at a restaurant in Chinatown:



I thought he seemed to be enjoying his expirence. Thought there was a bit more people walking around center city than usual for a wednesday

[ITinCC]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

I wonder if the lots at the stadiums will be open and then a BSL ride - that would make sense to me

Yes... I have a co-worker who said that his church buses (about 10 of them!!!) will be dropping them off at the stadiums.

[Becca8377]

Weird, my train to CC yesterday morning was packed with people - ran out of seats, many had to stand. But today, the train was much more empty and Suburban was as well. I was thinking if anything, it would be more packed today. I guess people must have already started leaving town and whatnot. I'm working from home both tomorrow and Monday.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Becca8377

Weird, my train to CC yesterday morning was packed with people - ran out of seats, many had to stand. But today, the train was much more empty and Suburban was as well. I was thinking if anything, it would be more packed today. I guess people must have already started leaving town and whatnot. I'm working from home both tomorrow and Monday.

If we do get showers on Sunday that's probably going to impact what happens.

[Kevin1813]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

ROFLMAO! I have to remind myself when I'm elsewhere to actually go to a corner & cross with a light instead of wandering out to the middle then finish crossing when the other side clears. Yeah, pedestrian traffic blends.

Agreed, I normally warn people from here when I bring them home to the Midwest to make sure to look prior to using a cross walk, as people will normally not give the right away. Although that's usually because they are not used to driving around pedestrians. Philly's been a breath of fresh air from me as a pedestrian and bike rider.