July 4th in Philadelphia

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Don't you know change is bad. I have read so many development forums in Philadelphia and my hometown of Media and people complaining about how different things are compared to 1970... well no S***. That logic is so irritating.

We're way off topic. But, tbh, other than generational replacement, which is going on, I don't know how to end that attitude. I spent time in Media during 70s and there was nothing great about it. Now it's so much better by far. Change can be good!

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by kyb01

I love the "suburb in the city" bit. Lol.

Fairmount, the western end of Fairmount Ave., was part of the original restaurant renaissance in the early 70s into the 80s. Two of those places are still there, London( now London Grill) and Jack's Firehouse. Later on the Rose Tattoo at 20th and Callowhill.

Just pointing, again, that the restaurant scene started, in fits and starts, a long time ago. Almost 50 years now. It's all directly connected to the East P restaurants, Old City, Fishtown, CC, University City, Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, etc.

I agree, S. Philly has many features that make it special.

I do like London Grill! I need to spend some time in Fairmount. I haven't visited in about 2 years, and I know a lot has changed. Thanks for the history btw.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Park Ave is the way it is(upper east side/Hunter College neighborhood )i.e. its wideness from having trains utilising Grand Central running underneath it.

Everything takes money. There's a ridiculous article in our continuing grease fire local paper, aka the Phila Inquirer, about taxes on certain things being too high, like on tobacco and soda...well, I only read two sentences. My God we do have idiots in this city. People who smoke need to pay for their dumbass habit and soda is " poison". Some revenue from either could be used for just what you are talking about.

I know Park Avenue is very wide, but Broad already has a median, it boggles my mind how its 2018 and there has been no attempt to make a Park Avenue-esque roadway in Philadelphia. I know the Parkway is very green, but that is a different type or roadway.

I read that article too, another crock. They act as if Philadelphia is the only taxed city in the nation. There are aspects of the city tax system that are obviously antiquated, but these recent taxes are hardly crippling in my mind.

Originally Posted by kyb01

We're way off topic. But, tbh, other than generational replacement, which is going on, I don't know how to end that attitude. I spent time in Media during 70s and there was nothing great about it. Now it's so much better by far. Change can be good!

Who knows... there is a term about always thinking the past is better, I forget at the moment.
But I read a Media development blog on Facebook, and literally EVERY time a new home, or apt building, or store, etc. is announced, these ridiculous old bats come out and say "Media is changing" "so much for a small town" "The traffic is unbearable" "Why do we need a hotel?"

I guess they forget that Media is the county seat in one of the most densely populated counties in the country, yet they think its Dorothy's town from Wizard of Oz...

As I get older, I realize I can't argue with stupid, and those trolls in Philadelphia, Media, or anywhere else will never change.
I just focus on the positive changes in our areas cities and towns, and contribute input where I can, or for those who actually care about development.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Park Ave is the way it is(upper east side/Hunter College neighborhood )i.e. its wideness from having trains utilising Grand Central running underneath it.

Everything takes money. There's a ridiculous article in our continuing grease fire local paper, aka the Phila Inquirer, about taxes on certain things being too high, like on tobacco and soda...well, I only read two sentences. My God we do have idiots in this city. People who smoke need to pay for their dumbass habit and soda is " poison". Some revenue from either could be used for just what you are talking about.

The revenue from the soda tax is supposed to go to fund pre-kindergarten in the schools and a chunk of the city's "Rebuild" initiative to fix up rec centers and school buildings.

I believe, however, that the proceeds are being held in an account while the soft drink industry's legal fight against it continues.

When it was first proposed, the sweetened-beverage tax was being sold just on its public-health merits. That didn't move the needle at all, so the Nutter administration (and the incoming Kenney one) wrapped it in pre-K to make the medicine go down. Philly is one of only two or three cities in the country that has successfully enacted such a tax.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by cpomp

As I get older, I realize I can't argue with stupid, and those trolls in Philadelphia, Media, or anywhere else will never change.
I just focus on the positive changes in our areas cities and towns, and contribute input where I can, or for those who actually care about development.

There are times when I think you may be just a little too biased towards the upper-crust*, but nonetheless, we could use you in Germantown, where they do care, believe me.

Maybe you saw my latest long-form feature for Next City, which went up on the site Monday?

*That said, I also agree with something Tom Scannapieco said to me in an interview: If the city is to solidify its gains and continue to advance, the people with money have to get involved in its affairs too. And the surest way to get them involved is to get them to live here. Which is why I'm all like, "Go, Tom, go!" when he proposes yet another ultra-luxe condo tower. It's not like we have too many of them yet.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

There are times when I think you may be just a little too biased towards the upper-crust*, but nonetheless, we could use you in Germantown, where they do care, believe me.

Maybe you saw my latest long-form feature for Next City, which went up on the site Monday?

*That said, I also agree with something Tom Scannapieco said to me in an interview: If the city is to solidify its gains and continue to advance, the people with money have to get involved in its affairs too. And the surest way to get them involved is to get them to live here. Which is why I'm all like, "Go, Tom, go!" when he proposes yet another ultra-luxe condo tower. It's not like we have too many of them yet.

I am bias toward development, so maybe it can taken as such.

I did not read that yet, I'll pull that up.

And yes I agree, but your average citizen doesn't see it like that. They see those condo towers as evil. I think the only way to change that is to continue the development stream. And many do not like to admit it, but a city of Philadelphia's size and stature needs wealthy people to support it, so I welcome the additions, and I am glad the market is still going strong for that level of construction.

And I sure hope some of these newcomers get involved in neighborhood or political affairs beyond the NIMBY stuff. If I were to ever relocated back to Philadelphia, I would certainly want to get involved in more construction/ business affairs within the city, but we will see where my career takes me.

[BK_PHL_DEL]

Originally Posted by cpomp

And I sure hope some of these newcomers get involved in neighborhood or political affairs beyond the NIMBY stuff. If I were to ever relocated back to Philadelphia, I would certainly want to get involved in more construction/ business affairs within the city, but we will see where my career takes me.

http://www.phila3-0.org/blog

Geeting lives in my neighborhood and there was some good momentum and energy for the ward leader elections. I take it as a positive sign. If some city council folks can be upset during their next election...well that would be huge!