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[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by summersm343

#4 area to build up is City Ave in my opinion at least between 76 and St. Joe's.

It isn't already?
I mean like there's a small strip that could use some work from the Cynwyd line to SJU, but other than that it's pretty built up

[Urbanthusiat]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

It isn't already?
I mean like there's a small strip that could use some work from the Cynwyd line to SJU, but other than that it's pretty built up

I needs to be more built up. City Ave has a lot of potential and a lot of parking lots. Gotta connect the parking lots and create a better grid. Traffic calming along City Ave and more frequent transit service to Center City. Add mixed-use residential over retail wherever possible. I see a lot of old office buildings that should be torn down and replaced. The biggest issue is probably that many of the bigger buildings that you would want to save are in the center of their property, but don't leave much room along the edge for significant additional development. We should want City Ave to look more like Tyson's Corner in NoVA. In fact it looks exactly like what Tyson's looked like 20 years ago, which makes sense because they're both spawns of the same postwar generation of urban planning and development. It just hasn't seen nearly as much recent development because growth in Philly is slow overall while DC is fast, and there are issues with it being on the border of Philadelphia which disincentivizes development on the City side.

[iheartphilly]

^
Any type of further residential or commercial developments should be tied to public transit infrastructure investments. You will see plenty of traffic calming when it is bumper to bumper during peak hours of use. The amount of vehicles in both directions of City Ave from one end around the split of Kelly Drive and the other end way pass St. Joe's University during regular business hours of the day is horrible. I try to avoid it at all cost when possible.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

It isn't already?
I mean like there's a small strip that could use some work from the Cynwyd line to SJU, but other than that it's pretty built up

Not even close to the level of development I'm thinking it should be. The city and MontCo need to work together here to make it more of a destination. I'm thinking Rosslyn or Arlington or Arlington level of development between 76 and St. Joes. A ton of parking lots, gas stations and suburban style stores - need to be more urban up and down this stretch.

[Nova08]

I think it will take a while to redevelop City Ave. All those office buildings were built with a suburban office park mind set. And then there is the Bala Cynwyd shopping center. If they could demolish that and make it residential with first floor commercial that would be huge.

The Presidential City overhaul was good. A few residential buildings were built on the corner of City Ave and Rt 23 5-10 years ago. I think there have been a few mixed use proposals but there has not been any movement. Then there is the NBC10 property.

But fundamentally City Ave is too busy of a road and a terrible road to be a pedestrian around.

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Disagree 100% that a stadium should be built in Center City.

I said arena.

And I would put North Broad #1. And #2 South Broad (south of South Street is mostly Popeyes, and McDonalds Drive Thrus and Gas Stations and weeded lots and Pep Boys, etc.). Building up a fake town around our stadiums - which is what would have to happen - is just not going to happen any time soon. The City made its bed with the sports complex decades ago.

Your Pittsburgh example is bad too b/c the stadiums are adjacent to downtown - similar location to if we'd built CBP where Penn Park is or Schuylkill Rail Yards and the ancillary development that you crave happened organically due to shifting urban demand and proximity to the city's core. Had we done that we'd be seeing TONS of ancillary development spurred in this area. But we didn't. We buried them in a sea of concrete nearly 4 MILES from Center City and the expectation of organic development is hubris.

[RowanGrad]

Originally Posted by Londonee

I said arena.
.

I've been daydreaming of a Sixers-only arena at the 8th & Market Disney Hole. I think it would really draw people to the area and organically grow it more than any other development possibly could. Also, with all the nearby subway connections (especially Patco being literally under the site), parking wouldn't be too much of an issue, imo.

I'm curious everyone's thoughts on that. Think the lot is big enough? Think the current building's on the site would be worth demoing?

[Milksteak]

Originally Posted by Londonee

I said arena.

Building up a fake town around our stadiums - which is what would have to happen - is just not going to happen any time soon.

You are commenting on a thread where they are literally building a casino and hotel around the stadiums, it's already starting. Casinos bring in people at all times of the day and night...what compliments these out of towners? Nice restaurants, bars, additional entertainment, etc.

[Vince_]

Originally Posted by RowanGrad

I've been daydreaming of a Sixers-only arena at the 8th & Market Disney Hole. I think it would really draw people to the area and organically grow it more than any other development possibly could. Also, with all the nearby subway connections (especially Patco being literally under the site), parking wouldn't be too much of an issue, imo.

I'm curious everyone's thoughts on that. Think the lot is big enough? Think the current building's on the site would be worth demoing?

I've dreamt of this same thing for a while and even looked at the Google maps aerial of the Wells Fargo Center to see if it would fit. The 8th and Market lot is about 425 feet by 900 feet if you count the whole block including the handsome building at 9th and Chestnut: https://goo.gl/maps/4FpGncETJ972

The Wells Fargo Center is like 450 by 450 ft but this is on the large side of arenas. If you look at Barclays center (basketball only) it's a lot smaller and about 400 by 400. Unfortunately Philadelphia NIMBYs would never allow an arena here even though it would be the perfect location with public transportation (MFL, Patco and regional). It would capture the game-day experience of MSG. I think an arena in Callowhill or North Broad would be the next dream but sadly I think the Sixers will build in Camden if they do build a new stadium.

[McBane]

Re City Ave - I get that Center City has the infrastructure, amenities, access, and prestige to overcome the city's myriad of taxes and regulations. But the city side of City Ave offers none of these advantages but of course, are subject to all the disadvantages of being in the city. With that in mind, what is the "pitch" to developers and employers to get them to build this area up? I don't see it happening.

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by McBane

Re City Ave - I get that Center City has the infrastructure, amenities, access, and prestige to overcome the city's myriad of taxes and regulations. But the city side of City Ave offers none of these advantages but of course, are subject to all the disadvantages of being in the city. With that in mind, what is the "pitch" to developers and employers to get them to build this area up? I don't see it happening.

Yep, this discussion reminds me of Rt. 30 (Lancaster Ave) along the mainline. Very built up with businesses/restaurants and some more recent density like One Ardmore Place and a senior retirement lowrise (currently under construction). But like Rt. 30, City Ave is very car centric and not very pedestrian oriented. And, it doesn't have the feel, like for example, Chestnut Hill (Germantown Ave). Also, downtown media has a nice walkable feel on main street and some of its side streets too.

[Parkway]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Yep, this discussion reminds me of Rt. 30 (Lancaster Ave) along the mainline. Very built up with businesses/restaurants and some more recent density like One Ardmore Place and a senior retirement lowrise (currently under construction). But like Rt. 30, City Ave is very car centric and not very pedestrian oriented. And, it doesn't have the feel, like for example, Chestnut Hill (Germantown Ave). Also, downtown media has a nice walkable feel on main street and some of its side streets too.

At least Lancaster Ave is only a few blocks from the Mainline so it's still easy to reach via transit. City Ave is all the same walkability issues ( I actually think it's worse) and none of the transit.

[iheartphilly]

Looks like we are finally getting some action on this $700 million dollar project!

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...s-general.html

[Baconboy007]

Is that really what we are getting after all this? I've seen nicer Bass Pro Shops than what's shown in that rendering.

[allovertown]

Yikes. We've gone from an interesting project covered in golden glass to a giant CVS really quickly.

[iheartphilly]

Yeah...I wished the build would have the Las Vegas flare like the Vdara on a smaller scale, but oh well, drab at best.

[brenster]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Looks like we are finally getting some action on this $700 million dollar project!

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...s-general.html

My recollection was this pic was the old rendering , the gold building was the ne render. I would actually prefer this version. I believe it will bring more activity to the area.

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by brenster

My recollection was this pic was the old rendering , the gold building was the ne render. I would actually prefer this version. I believe it will bring more activity to the area.

Yeah, you are right. I forget. BTW, found this with lots of details:

https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/fi...esentation.pdf

https://www.constructiondive.com/new...on-tim/543301/

[Frontst17]

Looks like yellow sugarhouse. Unimpressive

[iheartphilly]

^
Agreed!