Sixers Arena in Center City (Penn, East Side: 2015, city hall, crime rate)

[Flyers Girl]

Originally Posted by Tweb66

Comcast owns the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers have wanted their own place ever since they were sold to Josh Harris and became a mere tenant. Philadelphia is large enough to keep 2 arenas of that size busy.

Plus, with two separate venues, scheduling of games whenever the seasons overlap won't be as much of a headache anymore.

[ilovephilly79]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

"Brand new"?

It's a rebuild, not new construction.

Apologies for phrasing that imperfectly. I thought the renovation was done quite nice. While not brand new, it was a huge improvement.

[ilovephilly79]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

It was dumb to think they could rebrand The Gallery as another mall in a time mainstream malls were dying (even before Covid, malls were dying, Covid was just the final nail). The "Fashion District" made it seem like it should be outlet stores for high end fashion, but it's basically just another mall, but without proper anchor stores. The only thing in there worth the time is the City Winery, but if they are going to actually rebrand the whole complex as an "entertainment hub", then I guess City Winery can stay.

I thought the movie theater was excellent. It was really nice to have a large movie theater in Center City.

[ilovephilly79]

Originally Posted by cpomp

One thing I thought of after reviewing the plan in more detail: Market East needs a master plan from 8th - 11th, rather than an arena and spotty redevelopment here and there. Use the South side of the 1100 block for inspiration.

The newer developments at 1100 Market Street are some of the better designed and executed developments in my opinion. I'm still disappointed that they didn't have the pedestrian only block carry all the way through to Chestnut.

I have to say though, if the city doesn't get crime under control, it won't really matter what they build. I was over where they have the swing and the lights at 1100 Market Street the other day, and there were a couple of homeless people that were aggressive hanging around and not many people. As much as I like what they built, it just didn't have a good feeling. Perhaps the Sixers Arena will do well no matter what because people will come to games.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by ilovephilly79

The newer developments at 1100 Market Street are some of the better designed and executed developments in my opinion. I'm still disappointed that they didn't have the pedestrian only block carry all the way through to Chestnut.

I have to say though, if the city doesn't get crime under control, it won't really matter what they build. I was over where they have the swing and the lights at 1100 Market Street the other day, and there were a couple of homeless people that were aggressive hanging around and not many people. As much as I like what they built, it just didn't have a good feeling. Perhaps the Sixers Arena will do well no matter what because people will come to games.

I agree that development is nice, but yes, crime should be priority #1. That entire stretch of Market is pretty grim these days, worse than I remember pre-Covid.

Center City is certainly bouncing back, but homelessness, open drug usage, and overall crime are really putting a damper on the trajectory of the city. I don't know how the city can overcome these issues without swift enforcement changes AND then continue to tackle quality of life issues.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by ilovephilly79

The newer developments at 1100 Market Street are some of the better designed and executed developments in my opinion. I'm still disappointed that they didn't have the pedestrian only block carry all the way through to Chestnut.

I have to say though, if the city doesn't get crime under control, it won't really matter what they build. I was over where they have the swing and the lights at 1100 Market Street the other day, and there were a couple of homeless people that were aggressive hanging around and not many people. As much as I like what they built, it just didn't have a good feeling. Perhaps the Sixers Arena will do well no matter what because people will come to games.

The west end of the 1100 block of Chestnut will be a public plaza for the time being; the sixth building, which would frame the southern third of the mid-block pedestrian passage, remains part of the project.

As for the crime and the vagrancy, remember. we need to address both sides of the equation at the same time — deterrence and prevention. In the case of the homeless, the prevention part gets them off the streets and into places where they can receive the treatment many of them need. (Paging Sister Mary Scullion yet again.)

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

The west end of the 1100 block of Chestnut will be a public plaza for the time being; the sixth building, which would frame the southern third of the mid-block pedestrian passage, remains part of the project.

As for the crime and the vagrancy, remember. we need to address both sides of the equation at the same time — deterrence and prevention. In the case of the homeless, the prevention part gets them off the streets and into places where they can receive the treatment many of them need. (Paging Sister Mary Scullion yet again.)

Do you think the potential of a Sixers arena will result in the relocation of the methadone clinic on Market Street? Are there actually 2 in the area? I always hear talk about them, but not sure their exact location.

[Boothwynman]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Transit station connections are better at the site the Sixers chose. No walking outside to get to the arena from any station; at the DisneyHole, Regional Rail passengers would have to walk outside, and there's no possibility for passengers to be distributed among three Market-Frankford Line stations.

Where's the "DisneyHole"?

And while you chew on that, speaking of SEPTA, won't Regional Rail, BSL, BR Spur, and MFL service have to be stepped up on game nights?

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by Boothwynman

Where's the "DisneyHole"?

And while you chew on that, speaking of SEPTA, won't Regional Rail, BSL, BR Spur, and MFL service have to be stepped up on game nights?

8th & Market, South side of the block.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9511...7i16384!8i8192

[ilovephilly79]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

The west end of the 1100 block of Chestnut will be a public plaza for the time being; the sixth building, which would frame the southern third of the mid-block pedestrian passage, remains part of the project.

As for the crime and the vagrancy, remember. we need to address both sides of the equation at the same time — deterrence and prevention. In the case of the homeless, the prevention part gets them off the streets and into places where they can receive the treatment many of them need. (Paging Sister Mary Scullion yet again.)

I couldn't agree more, but nothing seems to change and as nothing changes, people are deterred from visiting even solid developments like these ones.