Philadelphia 2035 (Washington, Riverside, Montgomery: municipal, academic, complete)

[MB1562]

Originally Posted by Clark Park

. I sometimes think those of us who chose to move to Philadelphia love The City Of Brotherly Love love it more than the natives.

Hah this is so true. As someone who was neither born or raised here either, I often find myself loving and caring for this city far more then the lifers.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MB1562

Hah this is so true. As someone who was neither born or raised here either, I often find myself loving and caring for this city far more then the lifers.

Unfortunately, too many lifers are/were raised to be VERY ambivalent about the city. I'm a lifer and it took traveling to other cities to convince me that Philadelphia was not as bad as some Philadelphians thought it was.

[MikeNigh]

Originally Posted by rainrock

Sometimes Philadelphia goes over the top. Do we really need 2 dozen skyscrapers over the rail yards? is this plan really feasible?

Wouldnt a nice realistic residential neigborhood be a better option at that location?

Kind of like Blatsteins hideously ridiculous proposal at Broad + Washington. Why not stop dreaming and Start building practical projects that fit into the surrounding neighborhoods.

How insane is that rendering. Theres $10 b worth of highrises over the rail yards and yet the Parkway(the dullest cultural stretch ever imo) is lined with little league fields. I mean WTH is wrong the people running this city? This city got moron gene when it comes to development. Its unbelievable.

The 30th station region is one of the most transportationally connected places in the country. It should be nothing but towers around it. It has a unique opportunity for people to live who could realistically work in philly, nyc, and DC / baltimore. And the reverse that a company set up there could hire people people in nyc etc. Imo a college building or two should be downed.


The parkway is clearly a park made for cars not people. The roads should be removed and it should be converted into a proper attractive park with gardens etc. A ball park being there is fine but in it's current state it only looks ghetto.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by kyb01

There have been "plans" to "cover" the rail yards for at least 30 years. I wouldn't get too worked up over this.

The Drexel development, just announced, seems much more doable even if only part of it happens. John Fry, current Drexel prez, is an exceptionally talented guy who has probably thought it all out along with Brandywine.

Question. You regularly champion Philadelphia and the area on CD's city vs city but here you come up with a degree of Negadelphia-ism. It's okay to bad-mouth the city here, apparently, but not elsewhere.

There are HUNDREDS of children living near the Parkway and it's nice for them to have some open ground to play on. But I guess living/being in Villanova means you don't have much connection with families who live in Fairmount/Spring Garden/Francisville on a daily basis.

I think I've already given you my opinion of John Fry and Drexel here. Fry got knocked about a lot by staffers upset with his plans for redeveloping the campus and handling employee issues when he was Penn's Executive Vice President (=Chief Operating Officer), but I think he learned a lot of lessons at Penn and learned them very well. He's applying all that he learned at Drexel, to the benefit of that institution and its neighbors.

Originally Posted by BPP1999

I don't agree with Rainrock's negative view on the Drexel proposal, but I completely agree with the above. Only in Philadelphia would land along a major thoroughfare be used for ball fields. You can't get any more small-town than that.

Consider the extent of Fairmount, Spring Garden and Francisville. Then consider where the recreational facilities are. The southern end of the neighborhoods aren't well served by such facilities; these are the only ones within walking distance of them.

Originally Posted by Clark Park

He is a wonderful person and I am proud to know him. Very bright, erudite, and well informed about city construction and urban affairs. He sometimes posts here and knows this site well. No, I am not him, but like me he was not born nor raised here. I sometimes think those of us who chose to move to Philadelphia love The City Of Brotherly Love love it more than the natives.

I often say, "Philadelphia is underrated, and nobody underrates it more than the natives."

[gwillyfromphilly]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I often say, "Philadelphia is underrated, and nobody underrates it more than the natives."

There's definitely a lot of truth to that.

[MB1562]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Unfortunately, too many lifers are/were raised to be VERY ambivalent about the city. I'm a lifer and it took traveling to other cities to convince me that Philadelphia was not as bad as some Philadelphians thought it was.

Yeah I was really surprised at first. I come from a family of New Yorkers/Long Islanders and they all take such great pride in New York City, even if they don't live there anymore. I was shocked at how much hate came from both native city and suburban people toward Philly itself. A lot of my friends are transplants like me now and they usually always have very positive things to say about this city. Its bizarre how different the reactions are based off of whether or not you are native-born or a transplant.

I guess it is sort of like religion. The converts will always be more fervent and devout then the ones born and raised in it.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by MB1562

Yeah I was really surprised at first. I come from a family of New Yorkers/Long Islanders and they all take such great pride in New York City, even if they don't live there anymore. I was shocked at how much hate came from both native city and suburban people toward Philly itself. A lot of my friends are transplants like me now and they usually always have very positive things to say about this city. Its bizarre how different the reactions are based off of whether or not you are native-born or a transplant.

I guess it is sort of like religion. The converts will always be more fervent and devout then the ones born and raised in it.

I do note that other kind of negativity, though, mentioned upthread: the native who dumps all over the place when the conversation is just-among-us-locals, but will fiercely defend it against any criticism from outsiders. That's one of the most unusual forms of boosterism I've ever encountered: "I can trash this place all I want, but don't you dare." I actually find this attitude endearing.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Consider the extent of Fairmount, Spring Garden and Francisville. Then consider where the recreational facilities are. The southern end of the neighborhoods aren't well served by such facilities; these are the only ones within walking distance of them.

You made my point a lot better than I did. The area nearby has always had children. It has even more now. The play areas are an important addition wrt keeping those families around.

[cpomp]

Philadelphia Art Museum receives 'transformational' gift, including a Hopper

Figured this was post worthy due to the fact that this gift will hugely benefit the Philadelphia Museum of Art and continue to raise the city's profile in the art world.

[PhilliesPhan2013]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I often say, "Philadelphia is underrated, and nobody underrates it more than the natives."

I have always had love for this city! Ever since I was a little boy, coming into Philly was an experience that captivated me. I loved seeing One Liberty (the tallest building at the time), as it was my favorite building. As a 20 year old, I want to live in Philly for the foreseeable future.

Then again, I was born in Delco!