When will Philadelphia start GAINING population? (Republic, Penn: crime rate, credit, neighborhoods)

[PhillyPhan]

i'm just curious to what people think about the population issue in philly. ever since the 50's, philly's population has been on a steady decline. we've lost almost 500,000 residents in those years. and we've slid from the 3rd largest city (we were even ahead of Los Angeles for a while!) to the 6th largest city. so do any of you think that we will actually turn this around?

[FindingZen]

The short answer is probably when the city services, tax structure and job opportunities improve. However, all of these are interrelated and not easy to solve. Implementing one solution will cause more immediate strain on the others before there is any improvement.

That's probably the same general answer one could give to any older city in the Northeast or Midwest that isn't NYC, Boston or Chicago.

[Tracysherm]

Plus, there needs to be a tougher fight against crime. DA Lynn has this "tough" reputation, but a lot of crime gets overlooked. I don't blame the police: there aren't enough police officers, and many areas of the city cultivate this "anti-cop" and "no ratting" attitude. So people aren't cooperating with the police and reporting what they should report. Plus, I read something a few years ago that showed how SEPTA bus drivers earn more that cops!

I agree that Philly is not business-friendly, escpecially with its taxes. Businesses seemed to have "evacuated" Philly.

Then there the city wage tax that people from outside of Philly have to pay if they work there; it is much higher for Philadephia residents.

And then there are the schools......

[lititzman2003]

When they finally eliminate the city wage tax, develop Penn's Landing and elect people who truly care about the citizens and not themselves.

[loose cannon]

When they elect a Republican and get rid of all the brainwashed liberals!

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by loose cannon

When they elect a Republican and get rid of all the brainwashed liberals!

I consider myself to be on the progressive side but I agree that more GOP representation on the City Council would keep them honest. As far as a mayor goes, a Bloomberg-type might have a better chance than a Giuliani-type.

FWIW, I voted for Sam Katz when he last ran for mayor. He seemed centrist enough for me and I wasn't thrilled with John Street.

[NJ987654]

Honestly and bluntly... when you can walk the streets at any hour without getting shot at.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by NJ987654

Honestly and bluntly... when you can walk the streets at any hour without getting shot at.

You can do that currently in some neighborhoods... but admittedly not enough.

[Duderino]

This is an interesting question, and everyone has already touched on the crucial points of attracting businesses and reducing the violent crime rate -- but I'm confident those things are slowly coming to fruition. Although there have been a few tragic, high-profile murders this year, it is important to point out the actual number of murders is down about 20% compared to last year (as of today: 163 compared to 203 in 2007):

Philadelphia Police Department :: Headquarters

Clearly no violent crime is good, but that's still a significant improvement.

Also, I think Mayor Nutter deserves a lot of credit for how he's prioritized renewing the city by rejecting corrupt machine politics. By reaching out to the business community, working with officials in suburban municipalities, and endorsing some great, sustainable future developments (i.e., ACC, Penn Praxis Project of revitalizing the Delaware Waterfront, revamping the planning commission, etc.); I just can't help but look past the gloom and doom and see a brighter tomorrow in the city. So, to get back to the original question: I believe Philadelphia will eventually start to gain population -- albeit at a snail's pace -- in the foreseeable future, but it is certainly a work in progress.

[NJ987654]

The problems are not easy ones to fix.... crime... old infrastructure... corruption in gov't.... higher costs... over taxing... I love Philly but I worry that it might be decades until it ever returns to the glory of it's great days.