I am from Pennsylvania. I have lived in Philadelphia now for over 7 years. And I am staying in Wilmington for about 6 weeks until my new apartment is ready back in Philadelphia. I have some interesting observations. I work in Center City and I have been doing the Wilmington - > Center City commute via SEPTA for 4 weeks now.
1)Wilmington is by far the most developed and shovel ready city, just waiting for some MAJOR investment. As Philadelphia becomes more and more expensive, Wilmington will continue to increase in its popularity and investment as a Philadelphia alternative.
2)TO really make it an attractive investment as a Philadelphia alternative, increased rail SEPTA rail service really needs to happen, and this is a DART initiative, NOT SEPTA. Remember DART pays SEPTA for the commuter rail service.
3) Bus service in Wilmington is subbar in terms of intervals and transit connectivity with the rail station, buses basically stop at 730PM. And the option of paying for an Uber every single time I want to stay in Philadelphia for a happy hour is just not really attractive. (Which makes Wilmington an unattractive option).
4) The express service is really not that bad, and is really not that much longer than driving between the two cities. Again this service ends WAY too early. On Friday and Saturday it really should run at least until a 1230AM train, potentially 115AM.
5) Wilmington has good housing stock. And is ripe for investment, and has the BEST housing stock of all of Philadelphia's satellite cities.
6) Despite the Riverfront (which is too auto centric IMO), with virtually NO TRANSIT. (BIG MISTAKE), Wilmington has NO restaurant scene.
7) Delaware actually has more conservative liquor laws than Pennsylvania. (Many states do, but everyone loves to rat on PA alcohol). For example. ALL BARS do last call at 1245AM. Even on Friday and Saturday. (Now I know there are some happening spots in Trolley Square; but the fact is. Delaware alcohol laws; are designed to drink at home. NOT out at bars and or restaurant establishments.
There is an ABUNDANCE of places to buy alcohol (most of these places are just slightly cheaper than PA; if at all). But the night life scene does not really exist. Because Delaware laws are designed in a way that encourages plentiful alcohol from liquor stores, but limits alcohol from bars. (You cannot even buy a 6 pack to go at last call in DE: ANYWHERE). Whereas Pennsylvania laws in a way; encourage you to drink OUT at establishments. There are limited wine & spirits stores; and many close before 10PM. But most bars do last call at 2AM. Just like tax laws can affect investments. I guarantee this law affects the restaurant culture. (Because for a city of its size and stature it has NO scene to speak of). Places like Harrisburg and Lancaster, PA have much more happening scenes.
8) I am not ratting on Wilmington, I find it to be an enjoyable and manageable alternative to Philadelphia. DART investing in connectivity with commuter rail and bus infrastructure and expanding DE alcohol restaurant laws will MAKE MAJOR strides to Wilmington's investment.
^I agree on the transport stuff, and housing stock. Wilmington has some great housing from the early 20th century--rowhouses, big Victorians..., Wilmington gives me Philly, but also Baltimore vibes. The Riverfront is still too auto centric, but there's so much development happening down there--and considering what it once was (an industrial wasteland/swamp), I can't complain.
The restaurant scene is still lacking, but there's some gems here and there.
New Regional Rail Proposal Would Connect Phoenixville To Philly
Quote:
PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Preliminary talks are officially underway to bring passenger rail service to Phoenixville.
Developers are proposing two alternatives. The first option, which has been formally presented, involves extending the Manayunk/Norristown line into Phoenixville. Because the infrastructure for this line is already largely in place, it is the cheaper and quicker alternative.
A presentation was given by Phoenixville developer Manny DeMutis to Phoenixville's Borough Council on Tuesday night. The council agreed that the borough would act as the political subdivision sponsoring an official feasibility study, funded by the DeMutis Group, officials confirmed.
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In the short term, the latest proposal for the borough council asks for a 20 person taskforce, which will include three borough council members.
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The detailed proposal will be presented before Phoenixville's borough council for vote on May 8.
I don't necessarily expect anything to come of this, but I like that people are still putting forward pressure on this project that really should happen within the next 20 years. the 422 corridor needs relief.
I think we've been saying that we need rail service to Phoenixville, Pottstown, Souderton, Perkasie, Sellersville, Quakertown, and Newtown practically since the day the old service ended.
Unfortunately the demonstration phase would mostly likely just be leasing a couple of old push-pull trainsets and making a transfer at Norristown, instead of a full extension of electrification to Phoenixville, but what can you do?
I think we've been saying that we need rail service to Phoenixville, Pottstown, Souderton, Perkasie, Sellersville, Quakertown, and Newtown practically since the day the old service ended.
Unfortunately the demonstration phase would mostly likely just be leasing a couple of old push-pull trainsets and making a transfer at Norristown, instead of a full extension of electrification to Phoenixville, but what can you do?
Electrification never went that far in the first place. It would make far more sense to have a transfer to a diesel train, causing SEPTA to only have to order a couple of new engines and MAYBE a few more cars, than to basically start from scratch and electrify it that far. To that same end, I think that's why they'll go with option 1 rather than option 2. A new connection entirely would just be too costly and be incredibly out of the way.
CP Residential is scheduled to break ground Friday on 11 Cooper, a $48 million apartment complex in Camden.
The project, which will have 156 market-rate apartments, will be the first large-scale rental residential project undertaken along Camden's waterfront since 2004. That's when Dranoff Properties Inc. converted the former RCA "Nipper" building into 341 apartments with 20,000 square feet of retail and called the project Victor Lofts.
CP Residential consists of a partnership among three South Jersey companies: Michaels Organization, NFI Industries, and Conner Strong & Buckelew. The project, named for its address of 11 Cooper St., will have 156 apartments. Most of the units will be market-rate, but 20% will be designated as affordable for those earning 80% or less of the area's median income. In addition to several amenities, the development will also have 5,000 square feet of retail space fronting Cooper Street.
Good for Camden. I'm happy to see Camden develop for its own benefit, but I have to say, there are some selfish reasons why Philly should want to see it develop up to. If it develops right, it could offer some great skyline views from the new Penns Landing park. These original Stern towers, pre-value engineering, make for a great look from there: http://volleystudio.us/architecture/ I hope that there are still enough parcels in proximity to the Delaware that the views looking at Camden might one day be good. But I would not be suprised it they fill them with stumpy, lackluster buildings.
This is fantastic news for Camden. It could be the start of a much larger market-rate residential footprint. It’s a good step towards the live-work-play lifestyle.
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"Imagine all the people, living life in peace." :Lennon
Also, question for anyone. Out of the top 20 cities on Amazon's HQ2 list, which one do you think will most likely win?
We're had this discussion numerous times, but I'm saying Washington. They selected three spots in the D.C. area, Bezos owns the Washington Post, and it has a young population. I'd like it to be Philly, but I don't know about that.
We're had this discussion numerous times, but I'm saying Washington. They selected three spots in the D.C. area, Bezos owns the Washington Post, and it has a young population. I'd like it to be Philly, but I don't know about that.
Agreed. Obviously want Philly but DC looks like it checks the right boxes.
Anyone remember what they were offering? In the end, I think Amazon goes with the biggest package, not necessarily the most suitable location.
^
Prez had been blasting Amazon for exploiting the USPS and other things and Bezos is smart not to engage. I think because of this, they might not want to be in the DC Metro area. But, with Amazon pulling out of drug distribution, maybe that doesn't bode well for us. In any case and setting that aside, I still think we have a pretty good shot of getting selected with all the attributes that Amazon is looking at in its RFP. SY is just a clean slate for them to build and being next to a major multi-transit node is the "in" thing now and what they need/want and this area can definitely adsorb 50k more people without a hiccup. Let's go!
We're had this discussion numerous times, but I'm saying Washington. They selected three spots in the D.C. area, Bezos owns the Washington Post, and it has a young population. I'd like it to be Philly, but I don't know about that.
The DC area checks a lot of the right boxes, but I continue to think Bezos's ownership of the Post is completely irrelevant.
We're had this discussion numerous times, but I'm saying Washington. They selected three spots in the D.C. area, Bezos owns the Washington Post, and it has a young population. I'd like it to be Philly, but I don't know about that.
People keep bringing up the fact that Bezos owns the post. why would that have any bearing on where he puts hq2? there is no connection, it should have nothing to do with where he puts hq2. I'm not saying it won't be dc, but if it is, it won't have anything to do with the post.
Edit: jsbrook beat me to that point.
I don't think it's because he owns the post but the reason he owns the post. I think he's becoming more politically active and wants to be more involved. I would think he would want the hq2 nearby. I consider Philly still as nearby DC but conveniently outside the beltway.
We're had this discussion numerous times, but I'm saying Washington. They selected three spots in the D.C. area, Bezos owns the Washington Post, and it has a young population. I'd like it to be Philly, but I don't know about that.
D.C or the D.C metro region because it hits all the right boxes, Bezo's owns two mansions there he is combining into one mega mansion and he does own the Post (I know people say that shouldn't matter but it does give him an already established business presence)
My second guess would be Austin, again checks all the boxes, Amazon owns Whole Food now (Austin based), Bezos owns BLue Origin which has a heavy presence in west texas, Bezos is from texas originally and owns a ranch there.
D.C or the D.C metro region because it hits all the right boxes, Bezo's owns two mansions there he is combining into one mega mansion and he does own the Post (I know people say that shouldn't matter but it does give him an already established business presence)
My second guess would be Austin, again checks all the boxes, Amazon owns Whole Food now (Austin based), Bezos owns BLue Origin which has a heavy presence in west texas, Bezos is from texas originally and owns a ranch there.
Yeah, I wouldn't also be surprised with DC either I guess because there is so much development in that area - especially Tysons. Though I would absolutely love it if it would be in Philly (and it would be a dream come true if it could be in Wilmington).
I was over in Upper Darby grabbing stuff at the H-Mart the other day and I thought to myself, "Self, y'know that this part of town is probably the largest intact collection of 1920s-style commercial architecture in the region, right? Well ... maybe it should be made an historic district then, doncha think?"
Also most of the interesting stuff in Upper Darby's over by the Terminal Square H-Mart. The 69th Street area's extremely dull once you get past the lovely terracotta building the H&M's in and Tower Records.