Quote:
Originally Posted by reparcsyks
If there's one thing I can guarantee, it's that our city leaders will not be able to figure out how to market prime real estate around one of the largest train stations in the USA that is also adjacent to an Ivy League university.
Philly has succeeded in spite of its leadership, not because of it.
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Imagine the potential if Philadelphia leaders shared an ounce of vision that area business leaders have? (Such as Jerry Sweeney of Brandywine). Not everyone on council is bad, but most shrug their shoulders at solving economic problems, or drank the Progressive cool-aid and act as social workers, not city leaders. (You have to give credit to Rendell and Nutter because they had that vision).
But the entire bidding process shows that the state and city can really pull something off. There are endless opportunities for Philadelphia to steal thunder from cities around the country (especially in Life Sciences & Bio-Tech), but most will go unrealized due to the above the above reasons.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Mount Airy
Except the article about the Amazon HQ search that is quoted actually disproves your point. City [and state] leaders were able to market its prime real estate -- Philadelphia was one of three official finalists until top Amazon executives made gut decisions that ignored the findings of their own staff (one on the basis of his misguided football allegiance). Geesh -- it sounds even Trumpier put that way.
Having said that, I do share your general view that city officials, I would argue specifically city council, are more of an impediment to success than a facilitator of it.
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It is sad because the article mentioned the "contest" went from choosing a viable city (Chicago, Philadelphia, Raleigh) to which city gave the best handout & which city the top execs liked the most.
I'm proud of Philadelphia, but what a joke that whole thing was, and I agree with others, Amazon can **** off.
But also yes to your last paragraph.