$1.2 Billion Temple 20/20 Project

Temple 20/20 is a visionary plan to make Temple University a destination campus over the next decade.  The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that the university has mapped out a series of projects that aim to achieve several objectives for the school and its North Philadelphia Neighborhood without expanding upon its 105-acre footprint along North Broad Street.  The school is hopeful the new projects will revitalize and bring new life to North Broad Street and re-establish the artery as the gateway to the campus. Upon completion the plan will create more green and academic space, develop additional campus housing and link the core of the campus to North Broad Street.

The school has 12,000 students residing on campus and wants to add over the next several years enough beds to accommodate between 16,000 and 20,000 undergraduate students, bringing more students onto the campus.  Temple plans this summer or fall to begin construction of a new student housing structure that will add 1,700 beds and cost $150 million.  This is awesome news for any investors and developers building, renovating, or planning to purchase property in the near future around Temple University.  The big bonus for developers is that Temple does not guarantee housing for student after their first year, so that leaves thousands of students knocking on your doors!

I apologize for the image quality.  They are from a slide show posted on Planphilly.com

Sugar House Casino Debutes in Northern Liberties

On Thursday September 23 the long anticipated and for some dreaded arrival of Philadelphia's first casino, Sugar House Casino is set to open its doors to the general public.  The casino held a test run for Pennsylvania Gaming Control board members on Monday along with invited guest totaling 10,000 supporting four charities that will receive proceeds from the Monday and Wednesdays test runs.  The casino will open with 1,600 slots machines and 40 tables where dealers will lead rounds of blackjack, poker, and other games.

Many believe the casino will be a great fit for Delaware Avenue, hopefully encouraging more residential and commercial development.  This could also do great things for property values in neighboring Northern Liberties, Port Richmond, Fishtown, and Kensington neighborhoods, all of which are witnessing a lot of development and gentrification.

Although the design is respectfully modest considering its location, there is much to hopefully be improved over time.  Many were disappointed at the dominance of parking, the suburban approach, and non existing ground floor retail.  However, there is a planned parking structure slated for the future, but hopefully there is also a curbside hotel and retail that will ease the minds of all its neighbors. Despite all that is lacking, designers did do one thing right in designating a beautiful river-walk at the rear of the property, which coincides with "A Civic Vision For The Central Delaware"that Penn Praxis says sets an extraordinary high bar for the rest of the river.

Hewson Street

554 E. Hewson Street: Vacant land- residential. 16.5' x 54' Lot.  Located in the 19125 area, across the street from a neighborhood park.  Contact PhillyShark for more info!

Sergent Street

2042 Sargent Street; Great location in the 19125 Zip Code located between Amber St. and Coral St.  The building is a complete shell, total rehab project. 1000 sq ft, 3 story building and basement.  Contact PhillyShark if interested!

Hagart Street

2067 Hagart Street; A great rehab project in the up and coming 19125 Zip Code.  The building is a 1560sq ft, 3 story with basement, single family dwelling.  The house is a complete shell ready for rehabilitation! Contact PhillyShark for more info!