Drexel Gets New Business School

The Drexel University received $45 million in November from corporate executive and alumnus Bennett S. LeBow for a new academic Center for its business school, which already bears his name.  The new 12 story, limestone and glass building set to open in 2014 will consolidate Drexel's four business school buildings into one.  It will allow enrollment in the business school to grow by about 500 students, to 4,100. Located at 32nd and Market Streets, the building will be Drexel's most expensive to date.

Downtown West Philadelphia On The Rise!

Is West Philadelphia becoming to Center City as Brooklyn is to Manhattan?  Well lets take a look; it has a downtown "University City"; Industry- Medicine, Science, and Education; a growing population of students, yuppies, hipsters, and soulsters integrating into long time established African American communities; a historic identity as the streetcar suburb; culture and beautiful parks and museums; numerous direct public transit options to Center City; and most importantly neighborhoods with a lot of growing potential.  Although it does not quite rival North Philadelphia Neighborhoods with residential renovations and new construction, West Philly has been more of a renovation town and growing urban farming community.  Most renovations of historic Spruce Hill, Cedar Park, and Powelton Village were encourage by the University of Penn's goal to integrate faculty, students, and neighbors into a well diverse community.  Now Drexel University is planning similar initiatives for its neighborhoods north of Market Street.

Photo by Flickr user TS Drown

Newly appointed Drexel University president, John Fry along with a team of bold innovative thinkers are building what PhillyMag says could be the city of the future.  As Fry presented his major theory of growth early in October he asked, "If Anthony Drexel were to walk today from the Main Building, where the Drexel Institute was founded almost 120 years ago, through our campus and into these neighborhoods, would he be satisfied that we are fulfilling our obligation as an urban university?"  Frys answer was no.  Fry proposed a few ambitious but achievable goals like, Drexel University becoming the most civically engaged university in America, increasing policing and public-safety infrastructure spending, a generous neighborhood home- ownership loan program for employees, and a proposed university takeover to improve a nearby elementary school.

The short-term goal is to make the northern University City neighborhoods around Drexel more like the clean, tree lined, charming, and prosperous precincts that adjoin the Penn campus.  Fry spoke on a stretch of desolate rail yards lining the west bank of the Schuylkill, sprawling northward from 30th Street Station, of which he has great visions for.  The sparse use of the tracks have created possibilities of air rights and plat-forming.  Looking at the amazing views of Center City and the Art Museum he imagines a campus expansion to the west banks of the Schuylkill via the rail yard.  But the real big idea that Fry and some others are developing is to create a University City that rivals Center City, where jobs are created by two major universities, a large teaching hospital and medical research center, a world-renowned children's hospital, and the nation's oldest urban scientific- research park.  All of this will finally occupy a neighborhood with a stable and attractive housing market, a vibrant street scene, a growing restaurant culture, upscale retailers, the arts, and the kinds of schools families can feel comfortable sending their children to.

December PCPC Updates

Earlier this month the Philadelphia City Planning Commission gave their judgements on a few proposed legislations.  The PCPC gave a green light to a legislation that would allow the sale of the red brick pumping station at the foot of Race Street Pier to be sold to Philadelphia Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe.  The two organizations want to turn the building into a waterfront arts center.  the arts organizations plan to house a black box theater, two rehearsal studios, offices, and a bar and restaurant there.  The use is very consistent with what is proposed for the area, under the Central Delaware Master Plan.  The theater and studios will be active year round with artists from the region, around the U.S and abroad creating new works of contemporary dance, theater and music.

The PCPC said yes to Zoning Bill 100784, that would change the zoning of the former Edison High School building located at Eighth and Lehigh Avenue, from residential to area shopping center C-3 commercial.  The plan is to demolish the old high school, which is on the National Historic Register but does not have a local historic designation, therefore it can be torn down.  Developer Mosaic Development Partners plans to reuse a newer portion of the high school, transforming it into senior housing.  It also plans a 20,000 square foot grocery store and a take out restaurant with a drive-thru.  City Council however was not thrilled about the drive-thru restaurant part of the equation.

Commissioner approved Property Bill 10777, which accepts easements for at-grade crossings of the CSX railroad tracks at Race and Locust streets, and also an aerial easement for a pedestrian bridge over the tracks near 26th and Spruce streets, providing access to Schuylkill Banks Park.
-Property Bill 100779 which allows for a boardwalk to be built on the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia property between the Schuylkill River and CSX tracks, between the South Street Bridge and the CSX Railroad Bridge.

Mixed-Use Educational and Housing Facility in North Philadelphia

Philadelphia design firm WRT is designing a new mixed-use educational and residential facility in North Philadelphia for the organization Brighter Hope, a partnership of the Goldenberg Group and Bright Hope Baptist Church.  The project calls for the renovation of the former John Wanamaker Middle School for new Temple student housing and renovation of an existing gym and auditorium into a "green technologies center" and a charter school.

"The lively public realm and mix of users envisioned for this project take full advantage of its fortunate location between Temple University and the neighborhood, and between multiple regional rail lines and the Broad Street subway.  Creating a vibrant transit-oriented development at this significant town & gown location," said Antonio Fiol-Silva, a principal at WRT involved in the projects design.

The 4.5 acre site at 11th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue will contain housing for 2500 student residents.  Phase I of WRT's master plan calls for renovating the existing school for 600 beds in 180 units, as well as a new Green Construction Training Center and an Arts & Education Forum.  The project targets LEED Silver, maximizing the structures potential for adaptive re-use, and incorporating recycled content materials, energy efficient HVAC systems, and progressive storm water strategies.  Future phases include two new high-rise student residential structures, retail, a large open courtyard, and a structured parking facility.

Times Square In Philadelphia?

The Gallery and Market East are in need of a desperate facelift.  Developers and City Council seam to believe that large animated digital advertisements is exactly what the district needs.  A city council bill has been proposed that would create a commercial advertising district on Market, between 7th and 13th Streets.  The lighting, supporters say will draw tourists and convention goers to a new entertainment zone near the Gallery shopping mall.  Developers want invigorate Market East, envisioning it full of themed restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and movie theaters.  There is also talk of bringing in upscale "big-box retail stores" to draw Center City residents who now drive to South Philadelphia for their general household shopping, says Carl Primavera, and attorney who represents billboard companies.  In its current state Market East is underwhelming and underdeveloped, lacking the vitality that will entice conventioneers and tourists.

On the contrary opponents see this bill as a disaster.  They believe a potentially majestic and charming district will be totally stigmatized with chunky bill-boards and bright lights.  Philadelphia is not a second rate city and shouldn't result to desperate measures of imposing a false identity already branded by its big brother just 100 miles up north.  Philadelphia's brand has always been history, preservation and the arts.  That is why people visit this city.  As planners, preservationists, and developers who have an invested interest in the future of Philadelphia, we should be looking at innovative and exciting unique ways to enhance our city while still preserving and staying true to its identity, not settling for easy-fix, temporary, dated and potentially disastrous solutions just to make a quick buck.  When Philadelphia gets these rare opportunities to rebrand itself and make a statement to the world that we are a first class city with a lot of great personality, we settle for mediocre. We need to recognize the treasures we already have and enhance and celebrate them, not cover them up or taint them with false illusions.

When people visit Philadelphia they are looking for what makes Philadelphia different from any other city.  They ask themselves what is so special about Philadelphia that they can say to their family and friends at home, "You must go to Philadelphia to experience this!"  If we continue to borrow experiences instead of creating our own, we will continue to loose our credibility as a first class destination.  Lets run with the momentum of Green in 2015 and set our sights on becoming a global destination by 2035 with creative bold ideas that bridge commerce, history, entertainment, leisure, accessibility, education and livability.

Also check out "Bright Lights Big Mistake?"at Philly.com

Revamping South Delaware Waterfront

Despite future plans for a Foxwoods Casino at its proposed site at Columbus Boulevard and Reed Street, planners for the Delaware River waterfront imagine far greater potential for this section of the river.  With the bad press and out of control crime at the recently opened Sugarhouse Casino farther north up river, there is no wonder planners are looking past the casino option and envisioning a more communal, economic, and culturally balanced approach.  With a casino out of the way, the neighborhood would be more residential friendly welcoming future hotel options and retail.  The neighborhood would have great potential for being a destination place to live, work, and rest while visiting the city and sports arenas. Future light rail transportation connection from Port Richmond and Market Street to Oregon Ave, the Sports complex, and the Navy Yard will make the waterfront and its neighborhoods a viable and convenient place to live.

Planners imagine a restored wetland park based on the deteriorated piers from 53 to 70 with nesting platforms for osprey and eagles.  The area currently hosting Walmart and Home Depot will continue to host the big box stores, but will shrink to a more urban-friendly vertical form, with stores fronting Columbus Boulevard and underground parking or a well designed parking garage.  The freed land can allow streets to extend across the boulevard and host new residential developments creating a balance of residences, retail, and industry.  Neighboring retailers can follow suite with Target, Lowes, IKEA, and Best Buy also going vertical, stacking their facilities freeing up land for new development.  These solutions expand the lifespan of these large retailers creating healthy communities and a consistent supply of customers.

Downtown Dadeland near Miami

Fishtown: One Of America's Most Fuel Efficient Neighborhoods

Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood, located along the Delaware River has been listed as one of America's most fuel efficient neighborhoods according to a Forbes.com study.  With centrally located residences from hip lofts in converted warehouses hosting the next generation of artist, graphic designers, and entrepreneurs, to freshly renovated town homes and New Construction.  There's no wonder why the neighborhood is a magnet for young fast paste yuppie and hipsters commuting to Center City and Temple University.  Transportation cost are the second-lowest among neighborhoods in the 10 largest metropolitan neighborhoods.  Public transit ridership is at around 12%, with short commutes to Old City,Center City and close by Northern Liberties.