September 28, 2003
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 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.
August 15, 2003
Toll Bros. Reveals Plan for Historic Naval Home
Bland plan: Old Georgetown on the Schuylkill
Inga Saffron's column paints a picture of Toll Bros. "hackneyed" plan for the historic Naval Home's grounds.
On the good side the plan would extend Center City along the Schuylkill with up to 1,200 townhouses and apartments.
August 11, 2003
Divine Intervention
The Sale of storied hotel recalls legacy of Father Divine
The sale of the Divine Lorraine by New York developer Tony Goldman has the Inquirer waxing nostalgic about Father Devine, the interesting one-time owner of the hotel, but doesn't mention who bought the hotel. I hope they know what they were doing, each time I drove past the Divine Lorraine the past couple of years I was excited remembering, designer and one-time Cindy Crawford sidekick, Todd Oldham was reportedly to design the restoration for Goldman. I guess this never came to pass, but the impressive building at Broad & Fairmount deserves a fresh start.