September 29, 2003
M. Night Signs on to Revival
Filmmaker, city collaborate on revival
M. Night Shyamalan has given the neighborhood featured prominantly in his Movie Signs $1.5 million to improve the area. The city has anted up another $1.2 million as part of its anti-blight program.
The South Philadelphia neighborhood centered around 23rd & Fitzwater is wedged between the edge of the burgeoning Center City South and Toll Bros. proposed Naval Home property. It would be great to see this unique neighborhood flurish.
September 28, 2003
Camden Hub Strategic Plan initiative
Recognizing the value of regional planning
John Hasse, geography professor from Rowan University, highlights the needs for planning and for communities to be responsible for their future vision and not leave it up to developers.
Infrastructure Woes
A decaying foundation
46% of PA roads are rated in poor or mediocre condition according to a Society of Civil Engineers report. Nationwide 27% of the nation's bridges are considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
The price tag to bring the nation infrastructure up to snuff is estimated at $1.6 trillion.
September 26, 2003
Yo, Back Door
Trader Joe's shows pedestrians the back door
Center City's new Trader Joe's turns it's back on Market Street. Yes, Trader Joe's doesn't have a door on Market, but rather have put the entrance on the other side facing out by trash bins and away from all that sidewalk traffic.
Would the Gap put a store in a mall that didn't open out on to the main concourse? Why would Trader Joe's turn away from Market?
Hope for North Broad
The mansions, old Victorians and mamouth factories of north Broad street have always fascinated me. Trying to imagine a time when the street was bustling with success. Their remains are a reminder of a different era. It must have been a site to see. Trying to imagine the Divine Lorraine and Metropolitan restored is an exciting thought. But almost as difficult to picture as that earlier Broad Street.
Remembering Connie Mack's Last Day
Out with a bang - Mob ruled final night at Connie Mack Stadium
Bill Conlin remembers the last Day of Connie Mack Stadium. It will be interesting to see if history repeats.
September 24, 2003
Mayoral Forum on Parks
Monday, October 20th at the Free Library at Logan Square. Starting at 7:00 PM (Seating opens at 6:15 PM).
Come and hear John Street and Sam Katz discuss their plans and commitment to Philadelphia’s parks.
September 22, 2003
Birthplace of Liberty to be Fenced In?
Fight over historic site plans is revived
The Park Service's plan is to fence off the block bordered by Fifth, Sixth, Chestnut and Market Streets. The fence would be similar to others in the area, typically a low Colonial brick base with black iron spires rising to about eight feet, though the height could vary. About half of the park area south of Independence Hall on Chestnut Street would be closed off by a similar fence.
Group looks to keep Independence Square park and the grounds in front of Independence Hall available to the people of Old City and Society Hill.
September 19, 2003
Pride of Place of Place Tonight
The Design Advocacy Group is hosting a candidates forum on current urban design topics. Download flyer. (596 KB PDF)
Sam Katz has confirmed, Mayor Street has been invited.
5:30-7:30
at the Sterns Auditorium, the Franklin Institute Museum
Benjamin Franklin Parkway and N. 20th St.
Penn's Landing Plans Available for Review
Penn's Landing Plans
Well I haven't been able to get to any phila.gov site for closing in on two full days but luckily we can visit the plans in person.
The proposals are available for public review at the Penn's Landing Visitor Center, 301 S. Columbus Blvd (adjacent to the Olympia and Moshulu ships).
The development proposals will be available for viewing on the following
dates:
- Wednesday, September 10th through Friday, September 12th, from noon until 7 p.m.
- Saturday, September 13th, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Monday, September 15th through Friday, September 19th, from noon until 7 p.m.
- Saturday, September 20th, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Monday, September 22nd through Wednesday, September 24th, from noon until 7 p.m.
Additionally, the development teams will present their proposals in a public forum on Tuesday, September 23rd at 5:30 p.m. The forum will be held in the Independence Seaport Museum auditorium.
September 16, 2003
Boyd to Live Again
Old SamEric Getting a New Start
The SamEric theater, formerly the Boyd Theater, looks like its going to be refurbished as a "multi-purpose entertainment facility" by Clear Channel Entertainment. An organization that until now I thought might just the be the most evil company on Earth!
The $25 million deal should be officially announced Monday by the Goldenberg group.
September 15, 2003
New York Minute Getting Shorter?
Cities, Swarms, Cell Phones: The Birth of Urban Informatics
Townsend believes the pace of urban life is quickening. "As every person completes more tasks, communicates with more people, coordinates activities among more social networks in the same amount of time, the aggregate effect is an acceleration of the urban metabolism." If Townsend is right, today's New York minute will seem too leisurely for tomorrow's crowds of hypercoordinated and autoscheduled city-dwellers. One key challenge to civic leaders and urban planners is to create more public spaces that attract transient communities of wireless urban nomads who serve as creativity and conviviality magnets, attracting vitality to the social heart of the city.
Parking Perceptions
Main Streets aim to curb parking concerns
As suburban downtowns attempt to bring people back from the malls to their upscale restaurants and appelaing boutiques they face complaints about parking. But it turns out the problem is more perception than reality.
September 14, 2003
Penn's Landing Plans Reviewed
Inga Saffron reviews the ambitious plans unveiled for Penn's Landing and laments the lack of a unified plan defining what the city is looking for at Penn's Landing.
While the proposals contain a few nuggets of merit, taken cumulatively they seem to lack seriousness. It's as if the developers don't really believe that Mayor Street is ready to crack the great nut that is Penn's Landing.That the four proposals are largely unbuildable is no accident. These schemes are the logical product of a flawed process that has emphasized the quick, income-generating deal over thoughtful, consensus- building, long-term planning.
Inga Saffron also gives a biting round up of each plan panning them all.
September 12, 2003
Toynbee Tiles
Toynbewe Tiler may be in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Inquirer picks up on the story of the bizarre tiles that have been showing up embedded in the streets of Philadelphia and other cities in the U.S. and abroad.
September 10, 2003
$100 Million City Living Room
A $100 million plan to make over library
The Mayor and library officials announced four world renowned architects have been commisioned to design an addition to Philadelphia's main library. The designs will be made public in October
Recent library projects have turned the long rows of dusty volumes into a community's living room. A place to gather, lounge, listen, and communicate.
September 09, 2003
Pride of Place
The Design Advocacy Group is hosting a candidates forum on current urban design topics. Download flyer. (596 KB PDF)
September 08, 2003
Atlantis on the Delaware?
Of the four proposals submitted to the city for developing Penn's Landing it will be difficult for one to be more aggressive than this.
A $3 billion plan that would cover I-95, include two theaters, 20 movie screens, and a 600 foot residential tower.
Harry Eng, the executive director of Atlantis New York Group, Inc. claims it can be done with all private funds. The initial Atlantis concept was proposed for Manhattan's Upper West Side.
September 06, 2003
Available: One Bell Pavillion
Bell pavilion: Move it, own it
When the Liberty Bell moves to its new home in October the current Bell pavillion will become available, and the Park Service is offering it for free. Just pay to move it and you can own it.
This of course raises the issue, what would you do with it? Designed for such a specific purpose and location, what else could it become?
I've come to understand the genius of the building, accomodating the masses who visited the bell, but not just those who came through during the appointed hours. The bell remained visible and on display at any time of day. Plus the view through the glass wall framing Independence Hall made for an inspiring vista.
September 05, 2003
Parkominium
For $35-40,000 per space, plus a monthly fee you can have your very own parking space in Philadelpha's first condominium for cars. "It's much nicer than any other parking garage in the city."
I always thought if you wanted your own parking spot in Philadelphia you just got handicapped tags. Seems a lot cheaper.
September 04, 2003
Restaurant Week Update
Menus Posted for Restaurant Week
Center City's Restaurant Week is September 14-19th. Over 40 restaurants are participating and offering three, and sometimes four course meals for just $30 a person. Cibucan's Plantain crusted tuna served with balsamic vinegar reduction, poblano, crema and garlic mashed potatoes has already caught my eye.
September 02, 2003
Rave Review of Philadelphia
Travel Leisure | The Philadelphia Experiment
New York transplant, Francine Maroukian, raves about living and eating in her new hometown of Philadelphia.