Quote:
Originally Posted by bdurk
As much as I hate parking podiums, I actually think they should be on buildings on the waterfront. You kind of need a car if you're living on Delaware Ave
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Induced demand fallacy. Delaware Avenue is not only more than wide enough to support a future light rail line (one which has been discussed ad infinitum by PATCO for ages), but also has quite a nice bike lane.
If we're going to develop a waterfront, let's do it right. Have you been to Miami? The bayfront there is almost inhospitable to pedestrians because every building has curb cuts and parking podiums. Compare that to Miami Beach, which is much more walkable and inviting.
We've had plenty of developments sputter out along the waterfront because it doesn't come with any of the benefits of city living--it's cut off from the rest of Philly by I-95, and has no rail transit. Most of it south of Bainbridge isn't even walkable to anything worthwhile. Isn't it interesting, though, that the one part of the waterfront that
has been developed is between Girard and Spring Garden, where rail transit is ample and you can actually walk to desirable areas? Even if most of those developments come with my much-disdained parking podiums, is it any wonder that the bulk of development along the waterfront is the only section where people have a choice?
Delaware Avenue is already car hell owing to its proximity to I-95, especially so the further south you go. What we really need for the waterfront is a diet along Delaware Avenue that provides for light rail. After
and only after that is built could we even hope to develop a riverfront that approaches "world class".
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