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Originally Posted by PurpleWhiteOut
We need more office space, whether that's business or doctors or lawyers or whatever, or we're risking building endless bedroom communities where everyone has to commute out for both jobs and services beyond restaurants or bars. To me that seems to be a consistent weakness in a lot of hot Philly neighborhoods
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While I agree that mixed-use developelments are fundamental to long-term vibrancy and sustainability, the current pandemic is absolutely going to permanently alter demand for office space in the long-term.
Remote work will now be utilized for a much greater share of jobs on either a full- or part-time basis. That could actually end up still being a boon for Philly in the long-term, if it continues to play its cards well as being a city with top notch urban amenities with a fraction of the living costs to newly-remote workers from much pricier parts of the coasts. It would also eliminate the need for the all-too-common reverse commutes that you reference.
That's not to say office should be completely eliminated in new developments, but the last thing commercial corridors need is unused and useless space. That's even more damaging in the long-run. We just need more time to figure out the ideal ratios given demand, but no one knows what that will be until the COVID-19 dust settles.