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Originally Posted by Kidphilly
its a shame the perimeter spaces don't better activate though this is truly a special place in terms of preservation
something has to be done to better engage/activate the spaces north of market
maybe outdoor spaces for food trucks, music, art, farmers markets.
The Revolutionary war museum with street lined restaurants along 5th may have made more sense across from the visitor center and could have been built long and narrow to keep the open space and consolidated the museums. Maybe the Atwater kent and African American museum could move into the space. the site of the new revolutionary museum may have been better as a commercial or residential space. A moderate residential tower with ground floor retail could have worked well there.
Issue is that the federal park system and urban smarts don't always coexist
The Constitution center and federal buildings just make this area so bland
wonder if there would be anyway to get a decent hotel along the west side of 5th between Market and Arch, could have ground level stuff and roof lounge that would have stellar views. All while still leaving the center expanse open.
on the other side of the park below chestnut and south to 3rd they should allow some restaurants to intersperse etc. Its great space but as served today goes mostly unused
As an aside is there anything at all in the banks or old customs house? shame these places mostly sit vacant
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Portrait Gallery is still in Second Bank. Merchant Exchange is National Park offices. First Bank is currently the only of those buildings empty. The last solid plan for the building was over a decade ago when they wanted to put the Civil War museum there. The recession killed that and I don't think there's a plan at the moment.
I disagree with the thought that more structures are needed on the mall. If we're going back in time, there's no way I'd destroy all those buildings, but now that it exists, there's no denying it can be an asset. The full expanse of the mall is rarely used, but when it is used it can be a special place. Even on a random Spring or Summer day, there is plenty of extra space, but to me this is an asset. There are regularly thousands of people in the area and the wide open space keep things from getting claustrophobic. Museum of the American Revolution is much better off where it is.
If anything I'd maybe make room for food trucks, add more temporary seating, etc. In the end though it would all be stuff that could be easily moved to clear space when needed for a big event.
I definitely would not do anything to the block bounded by chestnut, walnut, 5th and 6th as you suggest. That space has been open land throughout all of Philadelphia's history and is a great public space despite the restrictions inherent in being located next to a high security historic site.
That said, I totally agree the National Park has way too much open space. The two blocks bounded by chestnut and walnut, 5th and 3rd are filled with open space that unlike the mall is basically never used appropriately. A lot of it is also walled off from the street and is just incredibly unurban. Restaurants, retail, even residences. I think all can be considered there and they should fill in the vast majority of the open space in these two blocks.